Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach, (8 hours)RIP 7; Science Book Challenge
Everything you ever wanted to know about bodies after they die will be found in here. If there is more, I don't think I want to read about it. Roach is extremely curious, and she ventured into many areas in her search for the story of what can happen to a body after it becomes a cadaver. From medically donated bodies for anatomy classes, to the FBI Body Farm in Virginia which studies decomposition, to research that needs particular body parts and the ethics involved, to potential funeral rites (casket, cremation, compost!), Roach goes there. She even goes to China in search of brothers who are possibly eating bodies? Throughout, she keeps a light and humorous tone which doesn't seem possible, but which adds to the charm of the book, delightfully read by Shelly Frasier.
I'm looking forward to more Mary Roach (Bonk, Packing for Mars, Spook) and her humorous take on science.
1. Newton by James Gleick
2. Stiff by Mary Roach
Here's the link to this year's project: Science Book Challenge
