Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers | 
 enlarge | Author: Mary Roach
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Category: Book
List Price: $13.95
Buy Used: $2.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  350 reviews
Sales Rank: 1284
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.2 x 5.6 x 1
ISBN: 0393324826
Dewey Decimal Number: 611
EAN: 9780393324822
ASIN: 0393324826
Publication Date: May 2004
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Book Description
"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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 345 more reviews...
 Don't judge a book by its cover, or its title . . . July 25, 2008
Had I done so, I would have missed out on one of the funniest books I've read in a very, very long time. When I first saw this book I asked myself, "who in the right mind would write a book about dead bodies?" Even more disturbing to me was, "why would anyone want to read such a book?" Just the same, I thought I'd pick it up and glance through it (maybe that could be called the "National Enquirer Effect?"). Surprisingly, my cursory glance through it seemed to tell me that this might, just might be interesting to read.
I did not; however, decide to purchase it right away. Instead, I looked at a lot of other books (all of which seemed to on more altruistic topics) before I finally decided to pick up a copy on my way to the checkout counter. Even though, I couldn't help but wonder - what is the clerk going to think of me if I buy a book on DEAD BODIES.
Then, to compound matters, I came down with a summer cold (what could be worse?) later that evening and, not feeling like doing anything (even reading was tough) so I picked up what I thought might be the most mindless (no pun intended) book in my pile of things to read - and this was a no-brainer. While I'm not quite over the horrible summer cold yet (between the meds, sleeping, and normal cold things), I've spent the last couple of days laughing all the way through this amazingly hilarious and yet highly informative book (I admit, I have had to put it down many times whenever my coughing hacks and postnasal drip got the best of me).
Stiff was not only highly entertaining (and a good respite from the death grip my cold had on me), but was actually an extremely fascinating and enlightening look about one of the most taboo topics in our culture - what happens to our bodies after they die. Not wanting to provide any spoilers (many others already have), I will say that Roach looks at just about everything imaginable (with the exception of turning your dead grandmother into a diamond - a process that may not have yet been invented at the time Stiff was written).
Never in a million years would I have thought I might recommend a book on cadavers to anyone. After reading Stiff, I would recommend this book without hesitation - believe me, it'll just kill you. :)
Dead-on discussion on the usefulness of the dead July 18, 2008
With bright humor, wicked insights and a strong stomach, appropriately-named author Mary Roach pierces the veil that separates -- if not death from life -- then the dead from the living. Ever wonder how crash test dummies so closely mimic the human body's frailties? Ponder on how plastic surgeons practice the craft of sticking knives into people's faces? Curious about how analysts can tell whether a plane crash victims were killed by explosions or by impact with water (hint: it all about broken ribs skewering lungs)? Perplexed about whether footwear worn by mine clearers will protect their feet? Wonder no more! Roach explains how human beings -- at least their corporeal remains -- find usefulness even when their current occupants no longer do. Her travels to her to embalming rooms, anatomy classes and open fields where cadavers are set up to study decay rates. While she does not meet with any truly ghoulish characters, the activities of the people she does interview engage in activities that are as gruesome, distasteful and repugnant as they are necessary and even potentially lifesaving. She deals with the ethics of damaging dead bodies in the name of science and safety, and whether relatives have a right to decide whether Granddad will get slammed into a wall to test a new airbag design. Roach also deals with how medical people and others try to depersonalize their test subjects -- who so easily "read" as people -- not test dummies. There's enough talk of beheading, putrefaction, maggots and cadaver bashing to make the squeamish think twice. But Roach, gauging her text by her own limit of repulsion, draws the veil shy of the disgusting to reveal a world in which the recently dead still have a chance to serve the living.
Fantastic July 14, 2008
This book is fantastic FUN! Roach is an interesting and hilarous writer. She thinks like most of us do and isn't afraid to put her thoughts on paper.
A must read for anyone!
Excellent and entertaining July 9, 2008
I was told about this book from a working in a bookstore.. and trust me I didn't really know what it was going to be about. I took the rish and have come to love this book. It's interesting, entertaining, funny and fresh. I guess for me, one of the biggest things i took away from the text outside of making my own decision about donating my body to science, was the fact that these people treat the dead well. And in fact the dead often receive my dignity, respect, and honor that the living are ever given.. It makes you think about bestowing those things on the living while they are there to enjoy them...
 Curiously entertaining July 9, 2008
I picked up this book, curiously enough, at the Our Bodies: The Universe Within exhibit in Ohio. I've often wondered about human body donation and just what happens to all the people who opt for that.
I found this to be an enjoyable read. It's a little slow at times, but the humor is sparkling in just the right areas. It kept me interested, especially the history behind cadavers being used in scientific experimentation.
It's not a book for everyone, but after reading this one, I'm definitely going to check out her other two books. I like her style, not too text-book, not too tongue-in-cheek, just right!
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