Friday, August 8, 2008

Book Review: Stiff

Title: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Author: Mary Roach
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company (May 2004)

My rating: ****
I picked up this book based on the recommendation from a friend. It was surprisingly funny and very informative. Roach, who is a columnist for Salon and Reader's Digest, provides interesting details about what happens to human cadavers from burials to ballistics testing. I often found myself laughing out loud at Roach's wit and unique point of view; I was also struck at the way she tempers gory details with both humor and respect. She shows reverence for human life and death while sharing fascinating and well researched facts. I highly recommend this book, unless you have a weak stomach :-)

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