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Stiff
- The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
- Narrated by: Shelly Frasier
- Length: 8 hrs
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Stiff
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Editor reviews
Summary
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.
Critic reviews
- Alex Award Winner, 2004
"Uproariously funny....informative and respectful...irreverent and witty....impossible to put down." (Publishers Weekly)
"Not grisly but inspiring, this work considers the many valuable scientific uses of the body after death." (Library Journal)
"One of the funniest and most unusual books of the year." (Entertainment Weekly)
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What listeners say about Stiff
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- kimstories
- 23-07-19
Loved this
I absolutely loved this book
and was occasionally horrified by it. Maggots are not my thing, even if you call them hacienda.
This might be my book for Popsugar prompt 2: A debut novel, as it was Roach's first.
What a fascinating journey through the options for your body once you no longer need it. The waste of a body going into the ground or up in smoke has always disturbed me, so I was ready for this book. There are so many way better ways to use the flesh no longer needed by you once you have died---so so many better uses.
This book is probably the only example of Edutainment I have ever really found. Other productions claim to be, but this is the real deal. I laughed, I grimaced and I learnt. Roach is funny but also respectful of her topic. She provides the options with little or no judgement - although I was glad to read we share a shiver and shudder when it comes to maggots.
I liked that Roach managed to be respectful of the process of death and those left behind, but felt that once the mortal coil was shuffled off from, it was then no longer the person it was, and shouldn't be treated as though it was. However, she also concedes that the living left behind are the ones who should get to decide what happens to a body for they have to continue living with that decision.
I particularly loved her idea that cadavers are superheros 'Cadavers are our superheroes. They brave fire without flinching, withstand falls from tall buildings and head-on car crashes into walls'
I want my body be a super hero instead of a puff of smoke.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Barbara Comerford
- 29-08-21
Entertaining and informative. Not at all goulish.
A lot of care and attention taken to write this book. Thoroughly enjoyed it. I learnt a lot about how cadavers are treated.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 18-01-21
Loved it
Raises some interesting ideas. very easy listening, would definitely recommend if this is your sort of thing
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- S. Claridge
- 11-02-23
Fascinating!
This is a great book...although probably not if you're squeamish.
A humorous journey through the...well...life of a corpse through the ages and across cultures.
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- Hannah
- 05-03-20
Infinitely better than Blue Peter
I had no idea I could be so handy as a cadaver. Down to earth, warm yet still sensitive and respectful of the subject matter. I highly recommend
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- Samantha cross
- 05-11-22
Interesting and informative
You would think this may be a gory or squeamish book but instead it is interesting and respectful. It helps you to see another side of “life’s” after death many of us give little thought too . I would highly recommend this book
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Cathy
- 03-02-20
loved this book, so sad when I finished it.
Not for the faint hearted. Mary Roach asks the questions you really want to know and then some.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gail
- 16-04-20
brilliant stuff
Fascinating, well read and thoroughly entertaining. The narrator is a joy to listen to. Be warned; this will have you laughing out loud.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Mrs KEB
- 22-05-23
Enlightening
Short but informative. Interesting. Glad I read it. Certainly makes you question a few things.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Kindle Customer
- 19-07-21
so worth a listen
A brilliantly written book
Full of wit and surprising humor despite such an perceived Macabre topic.
Eagerly looking forward to the next token and the next book to add to my library.
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