Author: Mary Roach
Title: Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers
Publication Date: 2003
Number of Pages: 304
Geographic Setting: Roach covers practices in Ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, as well as current practices regarding the different uses of cadavers in the United States.
Time Period: Mary Roach researches what happens to cadavers donated to science in the present (present being 2003 when the book was published) and the past going back 2,000 years.
Subject Headings: Human experimentation in medicine. Dead. Human dissection.
Type: Science
Series Notes: This is a stand-alone book.
Book Summary: The subject of human cadavers and archaic medical practices is not usually thought of as humorous, but Mary Roach combines facts and humor in Stiff.
Medicine has made great strides since the days of surgeons performing operations with no anesthesia and low mortality rates. Presently, those who donate their bodies to science are well-respected by the medical students that hone their surgical skills on cadavers. Not only do cadavers help in the medical field, but in others such as the automotive industry- cadavers were once used as human crash test dummies.
Roach believes that cadavers deserve the utmost respective for advancing humankind's endeavors.
This book is appealing because one does not need to have a vast understanding of science to appreciate it. Roach explains it in a way that is easy to understand. Not only easy to understand, but she uses humorous footnotes to keep the tone informative, yet light.
There is no vulgar language or sex, the only violence would be seen in the archaic medical practices that were used in the past.
Reading Elements: Learning/experiencing: Roach brings to light a subject that is not often discussed in the media. There is a rich history of cadavers that had advanced over time. People may not know the areas that cadavers have helped advance.
Writing style: Informative and humorous
Pacing: Roach begins by discussing the mood and attitude of those working with cadavers in present time. She then flows back into history and propels the reader forward in time with stories and facts.
Tone/mood: The text is informative and the subject matter could be viewed as macabre, but Roach peppers this with humor.
1-3 Annotation: Human cadavers have powered medical advances for centuries. Human bodies have endured post-mortem surgeries, car crashes, and dissection with a respect and gratitude from the living that benefits from what the cadavers teach us.
Similar Works: Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab the Body Farm Where the Dead Do Tell Tales by William Bass
The Mummy Congress: Science, Obsession, and the Everlasting Dead by Heather Pringle
Body of Work: Meditations on Mortality from the Human Anatomy Lab by Christine Montross
Name of Annotator: Kelly Kindle
Dear Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI believe that you did an excellent job on your post; however, there are some areas in your writing that could improve. You didn't explain why you selected certain similar works, which would greatly encourage readers to consider your post. You should have described the similar works in greater detail in order to effectively persuade readers to believe your specific points.
Thanks for the feedback, Megan! I thought the actual titles of the book were self-explanatory to the content, but perhaps more detail would be effective.
DeleteHi Kelly!
ReplyDeleteWow, you were brave to read that book! I definitely have a weak stomach and would not have been able to even read the dust jacket, let alone all 300 pages of it. I remember in high school desperately trying to avoid any form of Anatomy or Biology classes for the very reason of dissecting. The idea of it totally grosses me out, but academically I understand why the study of the cadaver and dissecting is necessary. As a kid, I was terrified of mummies (still am) and would either close my eyes as my parents let me through the exhibit or refuse to even enter that part of the museum, because I knew there would be cadavers in cases. Were you able to read the book and not be grossed out by it?
Hi! Mummies ARE terrifying, even as an adult. I found the book to be more fascinating than gross, and I, too, can have a weak stomach at times. It is amazing to me how advanced medicine is even in the last 50 years. Some of the old practices seem insane now (no anesthesia for surgery!)but they had no choice.
DeleteI've always like Mary Roach's material. I've not read this one, but have heard good things about it. I don't have a weak stomach and am fascinated about icky things like old timey medicine. I think that even if I did have an aversion to such subjects, though, Mary Roach would be a great author to try out because of her humorous writing. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI love this book! Great job, full points!
ReplyDelete