Review: Stiff by Mary Roach
by Jenners • 10/18/2010 • 4 Stars, Non-Fiction, R Authors, S Titles • 78 Comments
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Mary Roach
WW Norton & Company, 2003
292 pages
Genre: Non-Fiction
My Rating: 4 Stars (Add to Your TBR List)
This was the fourth book I read for the RIP V Challenge. Because I don’t want to get too far behind in writing these reviews, I decided to review all my RIP books by answering the 5Ws―Who, What, When, Where, Why.
Scare-O-Meter Rating:
7 screams out of 10
… or as a scary as a dead body found in the woods. (Because, you know, that is what this book is about. And Roach doesn’t spare you any of the gory details. Oh, and by the way, NEVER do a Google image search for “dead body” or “cadaver” because you will see things you wish you hadn’t. Trust me. How do you think I found the photo to the left?)
WHAT is this book about?
In a nutshell, this is a book about dead bodies (or, as scientists prefer to call them, cadavers). In this book, we learn about the many ways human cadavers are used. Here are some of the topics Roach explores in the book:
- Practicing surgery on the dead
- The ethics and realities of donating your body to science
- A brief history of body snatching
- Understanding human decay (for help with forensics)
- Studying the impact of car crashes on the human body
- Determining the cause of a plane crash by studying the bodies
- Assessing the impact of ballistics on the body
- Crucifixion experiments
- Determining the precise moment of death
- The history of human head transplants
- Medicinal cannibalism.
WHO do we meet?
- Mary Roach—the author of the book. Roach is not afraid to insert herself into the story—never holding back on her personal reactions, feelings and thoughts as she conducts her various interviews. Lucky for us, she has a terrific sense of humor, which makes her an ideal guide through this often disturbing subject.
- A variety of scientists, physicians and professionals who work with human cadavers. These are the people who Roach visits and interviews for the book, and I imagine they were either thrilled for the exposure or regretful at the reactions their friends and families might have had once they found out what they are really do all day.
- Ron Walli—a public relations guy for Oak Ridge National Lab. Ron isn’t really an integral part of the book (he comes along on a tour of the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility with Mary), but his appearance stood out for me because (in my earlier professional life), I talked to Ron on the phone quite often as part of my job. I’ve never read a book that mentioned someone I had talked to in real life, so it was a nice surprise to come across Mr. Walli’s name.
WHEN and WHERE does the book take place?
Mary traveled around the world conducting various interviews and research for this book in the early 2000s.
WHY should you read this book?
Would you believe me if I told you this book is funny, fascinating and oddly informative? I know it sounds like such a horrible subject, but Roach manages to make you simultaneously interested and amused by her explorations into the world of the human cadavers. I’d previously read Roach’s book Spook (about the afterlife) and enjoyed this one just as much. Mary Roach has a talent for researching oddball topics and writing about them in a way that is both funny and educational. If you’ve ever considered donating your body to science, this is a book you will probably want to read (or, on second thought, maybe not). I was interested to learn all the different ways that scientists are using human cadavers to make the world of the living safer. Although there are definitely sections that are disturbing and graphic, there are just as many that will either make you laugh or think deeper about a subject most of us don’t think about too much. If you’re looking for an offbeat nonfiction read with a sense of humor and an attitude, any book by Mary Roach would be a good choice.
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I have seen this book reviewed a couple times and it looks interesting. I will have to look into getting a copy!
It is quite interesting. She has a wonderful approach to writing non-fiction.
Yikes. I’m horribly late to the party — let me just say I LOVED this book. If I were still teaching physical anthropology to college kids, I’d find a way to make them read this.
I would sign up for any course that used Mary Roach’s book as a text. And how fascinating that you once taught physical anthropology!
I need to write up my thoughts on Spook today. Don’t you just feel like you could be best friends with Mary Roach? Sitting around being cynical and funny all day long? I’ll definitely be reading more by her soon!
Yes!! She feels like someone I would get along with quite well. Can’t wait to read your thoughts!
Last I knew my parents were donating their bodies to science. The book sounds, different.
It is different. And that is so generous of your parents.
Glad you finally read this! And that you liked it.
It was such a fun yet gross book … you don’t come across those too often!
I’ve heard so much good stuff about this book! I’m hoping to listen to it on audio soon.
I bet it would make a good audio! Her writing seems suited to listening to it.
Oh I love this kind of stuff! Heard about Roach and her fantastic books, but haven’t had a chance to get to any of them. Thanks for the reminder.
I had heard of Roach too and was so glad when I finally started reading her books.
I know that this book would probably give oversensitive me nightmares! Great review Jenners.
Most likely … there is some icky stuff in there.
human head transplants!?
Yes! Believe it or not, they had some success with dog head transplants so wanted to try some more…
I didn’t know I had a fascination for the morbid until I read this review. I think I’d like this!
I’m glad I could help you uncover this “hidden” side of yourself.
Stiff was different for sure, but glad I read it:)
So far, no one who read it has disliked it, which is amazing when you think about it.
This was my introduction to Roach. Her books are great but this one is definitely the best!
Good to hear! I can’t wait to read the rest of what she’s done.
This one sounds really interesting! I think it would make me gag a little tho…lol.
Great review
I do think it is easier to read about this than to see it. Fortunately, the book is not illustrated!
I’d heard from some people that this book is actually pretty funny. I am fascinated by the dead… the science of it. I think I’d make an excellent CSI.
You’d probably really enjoy this book then.
I’ve always believed that there’s a lot of potential for humour in the things that make us the most uncomfortable, so yes, I’d believe you
I can’t believe I’ve yet to read any Roach; I just might have to start with this one,
I think you are right … the more uncomfortable a topic, the more potential it has to make you laugh (uncomfortably laugh, perhaps, but still laugh).
Great review Jenners, I am willing to read anything that may scare me.
I am laughing at what I should not google, lol
Here is a review for the RIP Challenge, Relic, a horror in time for Halloween.
http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/10/reviewhorror-relic-by-douglas-preston.html
If you want to be grossed out, just do the “dead body” Google search … that will scare you more than any RIP book you’ll read.
This was my first Roach book a few years ago and I thought it was great! The part about studying the decay of the human body in various settings is still very “fresh” in my mind.
Yes … that section does stick with you, doesn’t it?
Now that sounds twisted and interesting! Like reading about real CSI instead of watching it.
And in my opinion, it is easier to read about something rather than watch it.
I don’t think this book is for me:)
It isn’t for everyone, that is for sure!
I loved Bonk, but I am a bit worried about the disgusting details in this one. I think I’ll read all her others first!
And I’m so excited to read Bonk!
You read some very….uh, interesting books! lol I saw this one in the bookstore & flipped through it, it seemed really interesting, well-written and pretty funny in spots. I’m happy to know it is. I used to watch a show on ID Discovery about a female medical examiner and the cases she had. It was really interesting & not too gross. This book sounds very similar in some ways.
Great RIP read!
~ Amy
It does sound like your medical examiner show … interesting and bit graphic but manageable. Plus funny!
sounds oddly interesting and fascinating. I went to the body world exhibit and loved it. It’s an art exhibit featuring cadavars posed artistically. Fascinating and informational.
If you likes the bodies exhibit, I bet you find this interesting too.
I loved this book!!! I really want to read all her others, too. After my brother saw my review of Stiff he told me he downloaded Packing for Mars to his iPod. Rats! I won’t be able to borrow it from him that way!! Still waiting on my daughter’s copy of Bonk. I’ll fit Spook in there, too, at some point.
Oh…and how cool that you’ve actually talked to one of the guys from this book!!
Hmmm…I think you need to borrow your brother’s iPod for a few weeks. HAHA!
I read this a few years ago, and loved it! It was such a unique and interesting book, and though it was a little creepy at times, Roach does amazing things with her subject matter. I am currently considering which of her books to try next, and haven’t been able to decide on Spook, Bonk, or the new one. Do you have any insight on what I should choose?
The only other one of hers I’ve read is Spook. I imagine they are all good so it comes down to whether you feel like reading about the afterlife, sex or space travel!
Sounds delightful. Funny how I can be so squeamish about some things and yet not about others and it just so happens that this is one of those books I’d find totally. fascinating.
You’d probably be a big fan of Mary Roach. She could keep you in “weird facts” posts for ages!
Mmm… I kind of want to read it, but also not!
Exactly!
Stiff sounds really interesting but I don’t know if my stomach could handle it. Maybe I’ll try Spook.
Spook is definitely not as icky (though there is that one chapter on mediums that has some weird stuff.)
Hey, I read murder mysteries and true crime until the cows come home. But this? Jenners, I KNOW she is funny, but I am not sure I really want to know what they are going to do to me once I have no control over my own body. I don’t want to know what they are going to do my loved ones. Would this book ease my mind and lighten me up? I don’t know! I’m very unsure!
Body donation may be one of those topics where the less you know, the better off you are. But it does make you realize how much they need them!
I know a lot of people enjoy Roach’s work, but I’m just not sure this one is for me.
Yeah … this one is a little on the “ugh” side. Maybe her new one — about space travel — is more in line with your tastes.
Wow…what WILL she cover next?? Thanks for the info
I know .. I’m anxiously awaiting her next topic.
I never would have thought of this book for Halloween/RIP purposes, but it’s perfect! I’ve heard Roach is an amazing author and would love to read something by her. This one sounds a little gruesome…but maybe I’ll check it out anyway!
If gruesome isn’t your thing, she’s also written about the afterlife (Spook), sex (Bonk) and space travel (Packing for Mars). : )
This book sounds simultaneously interesting and disgusting…
It is … and you don’t get that mix very often.
So, you’d be up to visit this? http://www.bodiestheexhibition.com/stlouis/
I see that’s where you got your pic.
Although I think it would be fascinating to look at, the whole idea of taking dead Chinese prisoners and displaying their bodies without the consent of their family is way beyond morbid.
I think I’d like the book, only because I like watching the surgical shows and Bones.
You’d probably like the book … but I don’t think I’d want to see the exhibition. It is one thing to READ about this but another to SEE it.
Several of my friends took their small children to see “Bodies: The Exhibition” when it was at our local science center, and they said it was fascinating. I have a weak stomach so I passed on that opportunity.
I think I would pass too … it is one thing to read about it … another thing to see it.
Oh man- I read this and felt so nauseated! haha! Good book though, but VERY thorough! yuck!
Yes … very thorough!
I don’t know about this one, I’m a little scardy cat, I’ll never walk in the woods again. But great review.
It is pretty graphic and somewhat gross but FUNNY … hard to believe that isn’t it?
I’m just getting ready to write up my thoughts on Packing for Mars, which I highly recommend. I’ve read Stiff (and even tho I loved it I had to skip the airplane chapter…my brain wasn’t ready for that much detail on plane crashes) and I have Spook around here somewhere. I heard her speak about Bonk, and I’m kind of afraid to read the book after hearing the lengths she’s willing to go to in order to research her topic!
I can’t wait to read the rest of what she’s written … I’ll follow her anywhere. And I can’t imagine Bonk could be worse than Stiff!
No, I haven’t. I think I’d like Spook, too. Why can’t I remember these things when I’m browsing at the library. (I never have my list with me. It’s on my computer.)
I’ve had this one on my to-read list. I just haven’t gotten around to it yet.
It is a good one. Have you read any other books by her?