Discover the remarkable 500-million-year history of bone in Bones, an engaging exploration of human anatomy, biology, evolution, medicine, and the surprising role bones have played in human culture.
What makes bone such an extraordinary material? It’s strong yet lightweight, capable of repairing itself without scarring, and responsive to the stresses placed on it. Bones support our bodies, record the history of vertebrate life, and can survive for millions of years as fossils.
In Bones, orthopedic surgeon Roy A. Meals takes a fascinating look at the science of bone, exploring how this remarkable living tissue grows, adapts, breaks, and heals. Learn about the biological structure of human bones and discover how bone differs across the animal kingdom. Along the way, Meals challenges familiar anatomy myths—including the idea that every person has exactly 206 bones—and explores common bone conditions such as osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as modern treatments.
The story of bone is also a story of medical innovation. From the development of the first X-rays to advanced orthopedic surgical techniques, Meals introduces the discoveries and pioneering surgeons who transformed our ability to see, understand, repair, and replace the human skeleton.
But bone has a story far beyond the human body. Over millions of years, bones have become fossils, tools, musical instruments, and cultural objects. Meals explores the surprising connections between bone and human history, including references in religion and literature, from Adam’s rib to Hamlet’s skull. He also examines the many ways people have transformed bone into useful and meaningful objects, including traditional instruments such as the Tibetan thighbone kangling horn and familiar objects like drumsticks.
Part anatomy book, biology book, medical history, and exploration of human culture, Bones offers an accessible and entertaining look at the essential framework of vertebrate life. Whether you’re fascinated by the human skeleton, curious about evolution, interested in orthopedic medicine, or simply want to understand the remarkable material that holds us together, this beautifully illustrated book offers plenty to discover.
Look closer at the skeleton beneath it all—and discover the surprisingly rich story written in bone.
Hardcover | 304 pages
