Explore the fascinating science of death, anatomy, and what happens to the human body after we die with Mary Roach’s bestselling science book, Stiff.
For more than two thousand years, human cadavers—some donated willingly and others involved without their consent—have played a surprising role in the history of medical science, anatomy, surgery, and scientific discovery. In Stiff, beloved science writer Mary Roach takes readers on a curious, often hilarious, and always thought-provoking journey through the strange lives of our bodies after death.
From testing France’s first guillotines to riding aboard the NASA Space Shuttle, cadavers have contributed to some of science’s boldest experiments and most unexpected discoveries. Roach explores how human remains have been used to investigate everything from the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin to the mystery surrounding TWA Flight 800.
Cadavers have also helped advance modern medicine. Behind procedures ranging from heart transplants to gender-affirming surgery are generations of anatomical research, experimentation, and medical discovery made possible in part through the study of human bodies after death.
With her signature blend of scientific curiosity, humor, and respect, Roach explores the history of human anatomy, medical research, surgery, and death while asking a surprisingly profound question: What should we do with our bodies after we die?
Stiff is an engaging anatomy book, medical history book, and science read for anyone fascinated by the human body and the unexpected ways science helps us understand it. Funny, informative, and occasionally delightfully gross, it invites readers to look at death from a completely different perspective—and come away with a deeper appreciation for the remarkable complexity of being alive.
Look closer at the human body. Even after death, there’s still plenty to discover.
Paperback | 320 pages
