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Stiff
- The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
- Narrated by: Shelly Frasier
- Length: 8 hrs
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Editorial reviews
Publisher's 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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- Michael
- 09-06-2016
A down to earth, thought provoking discussion
I came into this book not knowing what to expect. I never knew who Mary Roach was until I heard her speak about her latest book Grunt on the podcast Sawbones. When I looked up her past writings, I found an array of fascinating subjects that I'd never thought to read about. Stiff is written in an informal yet respectful tone, funny in some places yet businesslike in others, much like the people who have to deal with corpses on a daily basis. A fascinating piece. I can't wait to read Roach's next book.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 30-05-2020
Interesting Read
Great book, interesting topic. Narrator did not have alot of inflections in their speech which made it somewhat dreary and muddy in places.
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- Amazon Customer
- 05-05-2019
Well researched
I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was very well researched, read with a 'smile' and had humour to boot. It was entertaining and I learnt quite a bit. I have already filled in the paperwork to leave my body to science and this explained the sorts of things they will do with my carcass. Really impressed!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 30-10-2019
Simply brilliant
I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but it was endlessly fascinating and had me hooked from first press of the play button.
The straight-laced narration makes the jokes come out that much sharper, because you can never tell when they're coming. It added a second layer of hilarity that I think complemented the author's words perfectly.
Didn't want to keep listening to the last chapter because that would mean it was the end!
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- katrina
- 23-04-2020
Intensely researched and fact based
at first I really struggled to mesh with the narrators voice, as it didn't seem to vibe with the topic. however, this is the most informative and research backed book I've ever read about dead bodies, and everything related. defenetly work the purchase and read.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 09-09-2021
Fascinating and educational.
Signed up to be a donor. Informative and fun, captivating writing voiced by a great narrator. I am less afraid of dying now.
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- tenniele
- 24-04-2021
Witty and educational
Excellently written! Educational as well as being quick witted and amusing. I’ll be seeking out more books by Mary Roach.
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- Caroline
- 28-11-2018
I'm horrified to say I loved this book
Brilliant witty writing combined with great narration made me love this book. The content however freaked me out on a number of occasions. It answered all the questions I wanted to know about death and dead bodies and raised other questions I never thought to even ask. If you're an animal lover this is fair warning you might find some of it disturbing. The things we have done in the name of science are quite frightening. It made me question who we are as a species on this planet and it certainly made me think about the legacy we leave behind.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Jane
- 23-08-2019
Cadavers have many "lives"
Interesting story of how cadavers are used. Went a bit off topic near the end.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 26-09-2021
Funny and Macarbe
I really enjoyed this book. Easy for a non-educated person to follow along with, enlightening and funny!
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