Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
By Mary Roach

Publisher: W. W. Norton %26amp; Company
Number Of Pages: 224
Publication Date: 2003
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 0393050939
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780393050936
Binding: Hardcover

An oddly compelling, often hilarious forensic 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. 13 b/w illustrations.

Summary: Some goodbyes are longer than others.
Rating: 4

It's not often that you'll find an enjoyable read on a "life after death" topic without delving into issues of spirituality and religion that can quickly raise the volume level of well meaning people. Stiff avoids the theological conundrum by just focusing on the mortal coil that we eventually shed... the bones, organs and such that are contained within the skin of the recently deceased.

Mary Roach takes a journalistic and historical look at how dead bodies are used (and in some cases abused) for various purposes, and she does it with an appealing sense of inquisitiveness and humor. Thank goodness for the humor! Her wit will help get you by some aspects that may strike the reader as less than pleasant. She makes no serious effort convince anyone that their body should be treated in any specific way, but she certainly will enlarge your knowledge of the various options available. Those options range from traditional embalming, cremation and such to anatomical studies, forensic studies, scientific experimentation (crash tests conducted under the most controlled and respectful of circumstances), and even composting (don't cringe or snicker, it just might be the next great thing in funerary practices).

I'll grant you that I didn't necessarily need the information in the chapter entitled "Eat Me", but Ms. Roach's humor, particularly her reporting of her efforts to track down the story of a restaurant in China that had once featured dumplings of a suspect nature.

Questionable imagery aside, I enjoyed it immensely! But on a more personal note, Stiff reinforced a perceptual shift that I've undergone over the past few years. Years ago, a family member announced to us that she wanted her body donated to a school of medicine. While respecting her wishes, I was appalled at the thought of a group of 20-something med students snickering over my poor remains. My evolution from that mindset began with the passing of that family member, and the sensitive fashion in which the med school assured us of their gratitude. Ms. Roach's book will make you feel far more comfortable with how the remains of your loved one are treated. Good job Mary!

Summary: Ms. Roach definitely did not save the best for last.
Rating: 3

I found the book to be very informative, even fascinating in some chapters. At first, Mary held me captivated with her wit so as not to make the material seem too gruesome. I was disappointed in how the book lost the initial attraction about halfway through. It became boring, almost a chore, to finish reading.

Summary: Should be called "Cruelty to Animals in the name of Science"
Rating: 3

The book is funny, except for the parts that made my stomach hurt about the things we do to animals. There is a lot in here about what has been done to animals, and what is still being done to them, it breaks my heart. I don't mind experimentation on dead animals but it should be illegal to do anything to a living animal, no matter who it benefits, and I can say that if an animal experiment would have saved my mother I (nor she) would have signed off on it. If it were to save my life I say no, we don't have the right. For the most part the book is funny and educational.

Summary: Who Doesn't Like Dead Bodies?
Rating: 5

Or who doesn't after reading this book? Roach is an amazing writer. She approaches this delicate subject with a good balance of humor, respect, and enthusiasm, and the reader can't help but be absorbed immediately.

Each chapter is spent discussing a possible "life" for a human cadaver. There are many expected courses, such as anatomy dissections and cremations, but also many unexpected courses, such as crash test dummy calibrator, ballistics assistant, compost, and ingredient for folk (and snake oil-type) remedies. If you are extremely squeamish, you may be well-advised to avoid this book, but chances are, if you are extremely squeamish, you're not interested anyway. Roach does a good job, however, of not immersing the reader in overly disgusting descriptions (at one point, she decides the word "maggot" is not very nice, so she refers to them instead as "haciendas"). She simply presents the facts as they are.

Roach has researched her subject extremely thoroughly and I came away with a treasure trove of fascinating facts (now I just have to figure out how to drop them into conversation!). One of the best aspects of the book is Roach's writing. She is hilarious, and I found myself laughing out loud in every chapter. This was an excellent, intriguing book, and I can't wait to read her next book, Spooks!

Summary: Talent for Diplomacy
Rating: 3

Ms. Roach has missed her true calling...I believe she could convince even John Bolton of her good intentions. The book was worth the $3.99 "used" price I paid. It's a light, humorous yet illuminating read if not somewhat contrived; in one section it is noted that victims' bodies aren't actually physically used in analyzing airplane crashes, thus their "lives" aren't so curious after all. Still they must be referred to as cadavers to agree with the central theme. This is a good nightstand book since you can well wait to see how it ends. R.I.P.

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