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Stiff

Stiff

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
EssaysHistory
Pages
304
Published
2003
Language
English

Synopsis

Mary Roach tackles the often-uncomfortable subject of human cadavers with her signature wit and curiosity. This book explores the fascinating, and sometimes funny, history of how bodies have been used for scientific advancement, from dissection labs to burial practices. It's a surprisingly lighthearted look at a topic that makes many people squirm.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

InformativeFunnyLightheartedThought-Provoking

Genres

Essays History Science & Nature Medicine

About the author

M
Mary Roach

Mary Roach is an American author, specializing in popular science and humor. Roach is noted for her curiosity and humor in addition to her research. Her many humor-laced articles in various publications over the decades include her monthly humor column, "My Planet", in Reader's Digest. Although Roach writes primarily about science, she never intended to make it her career. Roach stated in an interview with TheVerge.com when asked what exactly got her hooked on writing about science, "To be ho...

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this book part of a series?

    This is a standalone work of nonfiction and does not require reading any other books to understand its content. While the author has written several other popular science books that explore similarly offbeat topics, each title functions independently.

  • What is the author's background in science?

    The author does not have a formal background in science but instead approaches her subjects as a journalist. She relies on extensive research and firsthand interviews with experts to translate complex or technical topics into accessible narratives.

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