Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

English

ISBN: 0393324826

EAN: 9780393324822

Category: Medical / Forensic Medicine/Medical / Ethics/Social Science / Death & Dying/

Publisher: Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W.

Release Date: 05/17/2004

Synopsis: Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers?some willingly, some unwittingly?have been involved in sciences boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. Theyve tested Frances 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.

Awards: Alex Awards – null  Alex Awards – null 

Excerpt: Unknown Property Excerpt

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Illustrated: No

Format: Paperback

Height: 0.9 inches

Width: 5.5 inches

Length: 8.2 inches

Weight: 10.19 oz

Pages: 320