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 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.

Fascinating reading; often touching, sometimes quite funny. Who knew our bodies could get up to such hijinks after we're finished with them. Plenty of peculiar anecdotes and bits of knowledge to be found here, plus some thought-provoking observations on the relationship between the living and the dead, and death itself. Really quite a read. Not for the squeamish, but Roach is always respectful. I found the section on plastic surgery to be particularly interesting; who knew? Truly gives new perspective to the notion of donating one's body to science.

Sending this off to msjoanna via the Reverse Wishlist Relay at BookObsessed.com

I've been looking to get a copy of this since I first heard about it. I'm really excited to read this book. I'm traveling a lot this month, so may bring this along for a long plane flight.

Mary Roach is an irreverent and funny writer. This book is light on the science and heavy on the penis inquiries, but it worked for me. Roach is absolutely correct that the subject of what happens to cadavers is one that's a little gross, a little weird, and a little difficult to think and talk about for most readers and even for many of the folks who work with dead bodies. While there were moments when it seemed like Roach was unfairly forcing ever-patient scientists into uncomfortable conversations and expecting the reader to laugh at the scientist, mostly I found her approach amusing. Besides, she was often asking questions that I also wanted to know the answers to but might have been too polite or uncomfortable to ask.

The book tended to read a little like a series of essays on Salon.com rather than a complete book, but the approach worked well as the chapters divided the book into managable chunks and made nice breaking points to set the book down and read something less morbid for a while. The musing at the end about the author's own plans for her body were particularly interesting.

The book will now be going to rootmartin, who has been patiently waiting for it since she picked it in the Raiding Bookshelves Swap in September. (mailed 2/7/08)

Can't wait to read this! Sounds like a very interesting read..... thanks for sending it along, msjoanna!

This book was fantastic! I laughed a lot, learned a lot and read so many parts out loud to my husband that he insisted on borrowing it for a quick read when I was done. The most impressive element of the book was Mary Roach's ability to write so respectfully about such a sensitive subject.

I would highly recommend this book for both an insightful description of some of the ways human cadavers are used and also as an entertaining read.

Arrived today! I definitely need to jump this one up on my TBR. I've been wanting to read it in like forever. This sounds like a great read. Thanks so much for the trade, root!! :)