"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year....Gross, educational, and unexpectedly sidesplitting."—Entertainment Weekly
Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers—some willingly, some unwittingly—have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Paris... (show more)
"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year....Gross, educational, and unexpectedly sidesplitting."—Entertainment Weekly
Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers—some willingly, some unwittingly—have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.
In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries—from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them. (show less)
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A really interesting look at the history of dead bodies. Various tests and experiments that have been done with them in the name of science mostly... (show more)
A really interesting look at the history of dead bodies. Various tests and experiments that have been done with them in the name of science mostly, from organ transplants to attempting to revive the long-dead. From a mad scientist who used dead bodies to recreate Jesus' crucifixion with the intent to study the blood-patterns to prove the Shroud of Turin real to doctors in the 1700 who prescribed the eating of corpse-parts to cure everything from fatal diseases to bruises.
This book has also inspired me to do something I never really considered before: donating my organs when I die. It's not like I selfishly didn't want to before, but it never really crossed my mind. It just wasn't something I ever thought about. But after reading this book and seeing how the organ donation process works and how it really does save lives, there's no doubt in my mind anymore. So if someone on their death bed ends up with my heart and lives, he has Mary Roach to thank for it. (show less)
When this book came out in 2003, the lives of human cadavers was probably very “curious” indeed. But six years later, it seems like we are over-exp... (show more)
When this book came out in 2003, the lives of human cadavers was probably very “curious” indeed. But six years later, it seems like we are over-exposed with all the forensics shows on TV, the multiple CSIs, etc., and I can’t decide if this book is really a science book or what it is. There are bits of history, which I probably enjoyed the most, in the chapter “Crimes of Anatomy.” Stories of grave robbers which make you understand the evolution of the medical profession and why there is this oversensitivity and attention to respect for corpses. I thought the book failed in one aspect, in that it is dealing with such a taboo subject of death and dying, but never addresses what a death-fearing culture we are and why no other book like this has been written, why most people don’t know what happens physically to the dead. There was a great opportunity for this awareness to our overall cultural views which was lost, and this is a major shortcoming in my view. Additionally, the most interesting point that Roach made was that all of what happens to us after death – the physicality of death – is pretty disgusting. As a researcher, I must give Roach top marks because she travels around the country and talks to/sees all of these interesting people and places. At one such place, scientists are watching bodies decay naturally, so they can better identify the time of death for murder victims whose bodies are found dumped later on. In another (place), she describes how cremation is such a violent process, how the body twists, turns, and boils as it is burned. In describing these “ordinary” ways of dealing with the dead, the point is made that donating one’s body to science is really equivalent to the gross-ness of what will happen in cremation or burial. However, I don’t think this point is made clearly enough - it is just a side point really - whereas I feel it should be the heart of the book. In the final chapter Roach wrestles with what she would do, whether she would donate her own body to science, though she has been asking the experts throughout the book the same question. In essence, Roach’s ambivalence towards the whole donating-one’s-body-to-science idea is prevalent throughout the entire book and inherent to its structure. Chapters are stacked one atop of another and deal with various things that have been done and that continue to be done with cadavers, but the book is missing an overall purpose and the why-should-we-care crux. The most moving part of the book deals with a patient (“H”) who is giving her organs to others after being declared brain dead, but this is in a random section and skimmers will likely miss it. Still, when I bought this book from my local Barnes & Noble, I had to get it from behind the counter because they said it was a “high theft” book, and (the store) wouldn’t even allow me to walk around with it. So obviously people are still interested in this subject, and I did learn a lot. However, I don’t think I would recommend this book to others, as Roach sets up a false dichotomy between death and dead people based on her own narrow personal experiences. Overall this is a frustrating book – not for the language itself, but for the implicit viewpoints missed and how the ideas are being presented. (show less)
This book is just plain awesome. Ever wanted to know anything about cadavers? This is the book for you. You will probably even find out way more than you wanted to. You find out what may happen to you if you donate your body to science (it can be way more interesting than a boring old dissection lab, let me tell you); what happens during the embalming process (I'm skipping that myself), cremation, and the future (maybe?) of disposing of cadavers; what can happen in a plane crash; and what exa... (show more)
This book is just plain awesome. Ever wanted to know anything about cadavers? This is the book for you. You will probably even find out way more than you wanted to. You find out what may happen to you if you donate your body to science (it can be way more interesting than a boring old dissection lab, let me tell you); what happens during the embalming process (I'm skipping that myself), cremation, and the future (maybe?) of disposing of cadavers; what can happen in a plane crash; and what exactly a cadaver's role in bullets and bombs really is. If nothing else, the book will force you to think about what you want to happen to your body after you've exited it (Roach has much more tact and respect than I do).
I found this to be absolutely fascinating. If I hadn't have decided weeks before what to do with my body after I'm gone, I probably would have gone for donating it to science after reading this. It can really be put to good use for countless others. Unfortunately for science I discovered this awesome company called Eternal Reefs that puts you in the ocean. Wait, it gets better: you're cremated, then your family can travel down (or over, depending on your starting location) to Florida and mix up your remains with some cement (my mom has already told me that if I go first, she's not doing the mixing herself, but will gladly watch the company do it--something they not only allow, but encourage), then the cement is put into a mold to create a man-made reef (complete with a plaque that states you name and maybe a bit more info), and then later they cart the reef to one of their authorized spots and have a viewing day where the families get to view the reef, take pictures, etc., then the next day they charter a boat and all your family and friends can go out and watch them drop your reef into the ocean. Supposedly they last forever. I'm not naive enough to believe that, but I know that it'll last a hell of a lot longer than most graves; and it has the ecological benefit of helping preserve the ocean and its wildlife. My mom's doing it too. I'm more excited about it than I should be seeing as it can't be done until after I've kicked it.
So back to the book--I found it to be really great and chock full of fun facts that my family and co-workers really wished I kept to myself. I don't get grossed out often, but if you have a weak stomach, you may have a few problems getting through this one (trust me, I'm very glad that I decided to skip the cannibalism chapter during lunch and come back long after I had any feeling of food remaining in my tummy). Really great read. (show less)
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I don't recommend reading this book on the plane. Not just because of the chapter on plane crash victims (which I skipped until the flight was over), but because your fellow passengers tend to lean away. And whisper. Don't forget the whispering. The book is fascinating, and gives a great deal of passion to the subject and to the choices that people make -- mind you that I had no idea anyone outside of the folks that run the UT Body Farm could be so passionate about it... and I will certainl... (show more)
I don't recommend reading this book on the plane. Not just because of the chapter on plane crash victims (which I skipped until the flight was over), but because your fellow passengers tend to lean away. And whisper. Don't forget the whispering. The book is fascinating, and gives a great deal of passion to the subject and to the choices that people make -- mind you that I had no idea anyone outside of the folks that run the UT Body Farm could be so passionate about it... and I will certainly never park in Lot D the next time I'm on campus... but it is passionate nonetheless. The history of anatomy is also compelling throughout the text. If only my science classes had been so engaging. One of the funnier sections of the book details some of the reactions the author got to the subject of her work. I have a feeling that she felt a lot like I do in recommending it as a read. It's hugely interesting, but in a way that makes you slightly uncomfortable. (show less)
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Askance Glances
I haven't been approached by anyone when I read this in public but I do get looks of discomfort when I mention in passing that I am reading a book about cadavers and corpses.
Just wondering if anyone's had odd reactions they'd like to share.
Libby Knight 4 months agoso many asterisks and parenthetical comments
I had a hard time getting past the first couple chapters. I should try again.
Facebook User about 1 year agoComparing Body Fluids, Parts, Secretions to Food Items
This tendency of hers is scatalogically amusing. The awkward eww-factor is hilarious and the way in which she describes various end products of the human body, no matter what orifice it eeks out of, is deliciously entertaining.
Libby Knight 4 months agoThis book has been added to these lists:
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