From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Mary Roach

Start date: February 2, 2014

Finish date: March 3, 2014

Discussion: Books of the Month

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What Members Thought

Mar 27, 2014 Nancy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: non-fiction, science, on-kindle

A fascinating, if somewhat disconcerting book. Even as you read you find yourself detaching from the subject matter which is a natural human reaction to death. But the author has a fabulous sense of humour and writes with sensitivity and intelligence, so overall this was a 4.5 star book for me.

5 likes · Like · see review

Jan 06, 2011 Trisha rated it it was ok

I actually did enjoy it, but it was just too gross at times. I hate glossing over parts...but really....YUCK.
Otherwise, it was fascinating to learn about how some of the ideas of organ donors and a study about decomposition and how some of it all came about. But, when the book was over I was pretty glad I was done with it.

4 likes · Like · see review

Nov 02, 2008 eRin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: grown-up-books, read-in-2009, from-paperbackswap

This book is just plain awesome. Ever wanted to know anything about cadavers? This is the book for you. You will probably even find out way more than you wanted to. You find out what may happen to you if you donate your body to science (it can be way more interesting than a boring old dissection lab, let me tell you); what happens during the embalming process (I'm skipping that myself), cremation, and the future (maybe?) of disposing of cadavers; what can happen in a plane crash; and what exactl This book is just plain awesome. Ever wanted to know anything about cadavers? This is the book for you. You will probably even find out way more than you wanted to. You find out what may happen to you if you donate your body to science (it can be way more interesting than a boring old dissection lab, let me tell you); what happens during the embalming process (I'm skipping that myself), cremation, and the future (maybe?) of disposing of cadavers; what can happen in a plane crash; and what exactly a cadaver's role in bullets and bombs really is. If nothing else, the book will force you to think about what you want to happen to your body after you've exited it (Roach has much more tact and respect than I do).

I found this to be absolutely fascinating. If I hadn't have decided weeks before what to do with my body after I'm gone, I probably would have gone for donating it to science after reading this. It can really be put to good use for countless others. Unfortunately for science I discovered this awesome company called Eternal Reefs that puts you in the ocean. Wait, it gets better: you're cremated, then your family can travel down (or over, depending on your starting location) to Florida and mix up your remains with some cement (my mom has already told me that if I go first, she's not doing the mixing herself, but will gladly watch the company do it--something they not only allow, but encourage), then the cement is put into a mold to create a man-made reef (complete with a plaque that states you name and maybe a bit more info), and then later they cart the reef to one of their authorized spots and have a viewing day where the families get to view the reef, take pictures, etc., then the next day they charter a boat and all your family and friends can go out and watch them drop your reef into the ocean. Cool, right? Supposedly they last forever. I'm not naive enough to believe that, but I know that it'll last a hell of a lot longer than most graves; and it has the ecological benefit of helping preserve the ocean and its wildlife. My mom's doing it too. I'm more excited about it than I should be seeing as it can't be done until after I've kicked it.

So back to the book--I found it to be really great and chock full of fun facts that my family and co-workers really wished I kept to myself. I don't get grossed out often, but if you have a weak stomach, you may have a few problems getting through this one (trust me, I'm very glad that I decided to skip the cannibalism chapter during lunch and come back long after I had any feeling of food remaining in my tummy). Really great read. ...more

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