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The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

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Written by: Mary Roach
Narrated by: Shelly Frasier
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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.

©2003 Mary Roach (P)2003 Tantor Media, Inc. Biological Sciences Medicine & Health Care Industry Science Sociology Surgery Funny Witty Heartfelt Amish
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What the critics say

  • 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)
All stars
Most Relevant
It is with utmost fascination for the unusual subjects of Mary Roach’s books I have decided to peer into the world of cadavers and her take on it.

This book will leave a lasting impression not only on your knowledge of cadaver history and experiences, but also your cravings towards certain foods and feelings of intermittent nausea.

I do know that an important question will be raised while reading this book - should you donate your body to science and whether you will have control of what is done to your cadaver - a topic that will definitely leave you wondering of the appropriate decision.

A must for the curious mind

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Recognizing this topic may not be comfortable for all readers, it's a book that helps to open the eyes and mind to parts of our human existence that are rarely discussed let alone probed with fact-based, reality-informed details about our mortal form. I recommend it highly and promise that even while it educates, it will also generate more than just a few good laughs!

Informative and delightfully humorous

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such an eye opening and eye closing and eye popping exploration of so many aspects.

excellent and hilariously gory

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The witty humour is an excellent complement to the whole body of the content. I learned a lot from this book and had fun listening to it.

Well-written, well-read, funny, and interesting - an ironically nourishing book.

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this is great for people who don't mind morbid. certainly learn alot in the history of cadavers. can be quite disturbing some of it knowing it's all true. #audible1

Erie

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