See history from a whole new perspective—one body part at a time!
From famous craniums and royal jaws to ancient spleens, pierced tongues, and bound feet, A History of the World Through Body Parts takes a wonderfully unusual approach to world history, anatomy, and the human body. Authors Kathy and Ross Petras explore fascinating stories from the past, using individual body parts as unexpected windows into the people, cultures, traditions, and events that shaped history.
Why look at history through body parts? Because the human body has always been tangled up with politics, medicine, religion, culture, and power. A single anatomical detail can open the door to a much bigger story.
Discover what Charles II of Spain’s jaw reveals about royal inbreeding and European history. Learn how Anne Boleyn’s heart connects to the history of the Crusades and changing burial traditions. Explore what Lady Xoc’s pierced tongue can tell us about Maya culture and ritual.
Packed with little-known historical facts, fascinating anecdotes, anatomy, and quirky stories, this entertaining history book transforms the familiar into something unexpected. Each chapter offers a new point of entry into the past, making history feel vivid, surprising, and wonderfully strange.
Perfect for history buffs, anatomy enthusiasts, trivia lovers, science fans, and readers who enjoy unusual nonfiction, A History of the World Through Body Parts is a memorable gift for anyone curious about the fascinating intersection of human anatomy and history.
Forget the timeline. Start with the body and discover where history takes you.
Hardcover | 256 pages
