Funeral. In my mind, this word was associated with fear, grief, burial, death, coldness, and a bad smell. But now, after finishing this book, this list has become much longer. For people like me, who have always been interested in funerals and the story of the body after death, this book has twelve very readable chapters.

The author has a unique and humorous writing style that is exactly suitable for such a topic. A topic that, no matter how much you look at it from a scientific and historical perspective, is still a thought-provoking one about the greatest fear of humans, that is, death.

To explain the book, the best thing, in my opinion, is to briefly describe what each chapter is generally about.

Chapter One: The use of the cadaver for plastic surgery training.

Chapter Two: The history of dissection and grave robbing; a historical look at the issue of dissection.

Chapter Three: The decomposition of the body, its stages and reasons.

Chapter Four: The use of bodies for automobile safety tests.

Chapter Five: The use of bodies to determine the cause and manner of air disasters.

Chapter Six: The use of bodies to test the effects of weapons of war.

Chapter Seven: The crucifixion experiment (an experiment to prove or disprove the way Jesus was crucified).

Chapter Eight: Cadavers with beating hearts; the story of burying the living and the scientific search for the soul.

Chapter Nine: Decapitation and head transplant surgery.

Chapter Ten: Medical cannibalism; eating cadavers for medicinal purposes.

Chapter Eleven: New ways to get rid of bodies (composting!).

Chapter Twelve: What does the author want to happen to his own funeral?

In addition to the very new information I got from this book, which, due to the special nature of the subject, people generally don't encounter, it made me think about this stage after death for myself. What do I want and what don't I want?

I think, as the author says, except for the donation of organs, what happens to the body is more important for the survivors than for the person who is no longer in that body. This stage is important in the comfort of people and how they get over their grief. So, it seems that for many people, their decision may be more important than the decision of the individual himself.

I need to think more about it.

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Review with a delay of several months. 1401/2/9.

Fascinating (and fun) reading.

Who knew there are so many uses for a dead body?? It's truly astonishing.

The ultimate recycler's guide. This was an easy and entertaining read. Ms. Roach's curiosity knows no boundaries, even though it takes her to some queasiness inducing places. Her exploration into the various ways dead bodies can be utilized is both educational and thought-provoking.

I will be looking for her other writings. I'm eager to see what other interesting topics she will delve into with her unique perspective and engaging writing style.

Overall, this book is a great choice for those who are interested in learning about the unexpected and often overlooked aspects of life and death. It challenges our preconceived notions and makes us think about the world in a different way.

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Last year, my significant other and I were on our way to the mountains and happened to be in Calgary. On a whim, we decided to visit the Body Worlds exhibit at the local science museum.

Now, you might think that spending a few hours with human cadavers is an unusual choice for a romantic outing, but for us, it was an opportunity to learn and explore.

The majority of the exhibit was truly fascinating and educational. It presented the human body in a way that was both informative and engaging. However, things took a bit of a turn when we reached the curtained room that focused on human reproduction and sexuality.

There, in front of us and a group of other museum visitors, was a table with two cadavers in a rather explicit position. It was a sight that made me wonder about the donors. Would they have agreed to have their bodies displayed in this way if they had known?

As I walked out of the exhibit, I passed by the sign-up sheet for new donors. I couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.

You see, I was still grappling with the idea of assigning human characteristics to remains that had long since ceased to be human. While my logical side told me that being part of studies that educate and contribute to life-saving research was a noble way to go, there was something deep within me that made me want to run away.

This is the very subject that Mary Roach delves into in her book, Stiff. She makes a compelling argument that once a person has passed away, it makes more sense to be useful to humanity rather than simply being buried in the ground.

Roach investigates various branches of science that utilize cadavers and explores the ethical dilemmas and social stigmas associated with it. She challenges our discomfort with talking about death and our tendency to assign excessive meaning to dead bodies as a way to avoid thinking about our own mortality.

Personally, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the process of pushing the boundaries of my own comfort zone while reading this book. In fact, it even made me start rethinking my views on cremation in favor of pod burials.

And with this review, I'm sure I've officially sealed my reputation as a bit of a weirdo on the Internet. Hello, prospective employers! :)

Still is the non-fictional adventure of our author Mary Roach as she delves deep into the world of cadavers.

Yes, you read that right! (CADAVERS!) She investigates and uncovers every single detail there is to know about them.

I, for one, learned an astonishing amount more than I ever thought I would need to know on this topic. From the fascinating process of how bodies decompose to the rather unusual concept of composting with bodies (apparently, it's good for your garden! Who would have known?), the book is filled with all kinds of information.

There are so many cringeworthy moments and parts that made me want to gag. I would highly encourage you not to read this one while you are eating.

Overall, while it is a little slow and dry in some parts, it is still an entertaining tidbit that offers a unique perspective on a rather macabre subject.

I was truly anticipating reading this book, and it began with great promise.

The initial 40% of the book managed to hold my interest, keeping me intrigued, engaged, and providing me with numerous eye-opening facts.

However, after that point, it rapidly declined and became rather dull, tiresome, and filled with what seemed like useless drivel.

To the extent that it made me skip pages and even nod off.

If Mary Roach believed that her constant silly jokes, remarks, and quips were humorous, then she was sorely mistaken.

They were inappropriate and extremely irritating.

Sadly, it was a disappointment and a waste of my precious reading time!!!

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I have been constantly pondering the idea of donating my body to science. I firmly believe that this would be the most fitting way to dispose of it once I am no longer here. I am aware that I am not merely my physical body. Although I'm not entirely certain who "I" truly am, I'm quite sure that once "we" depart from this world, we don't linger around fretting about what becomes of this sack of meat, water, and bones.

While delving into this book, I vividly imagined my body experiencing all the various scenarios that are vividly described within its pages. Some of them were rather disturbing, while others had a certain element of humor. Picturing my body being propped up as a creepy crash test dummy, all slumpy and uncooperative, actually struck me as quite comical.

Nothing has really swayed my decision about donating, except perhaps the testing of ammunition and guns and their effectiveness. I'm really not a fan of guns. Do I really want to contribute to that? Mary Roach astutely points out that one cannot specify where their body will end up, so I'm truly in a quandary.

Another potentially unfavorable aspect was brought to my attention by a friend of mine. She had a friend who was attending nursing school. For some inexplicable reason, they had to engage in some sort of learning activity involving cadavers. When this friend saw the cadaver, to her horror, it was her own grandmother. Now, this might sound like an urban myth, and it very well could be, but it does make a valid point. In the final analysis, it's ultimately about the loved ones of the deceased person and not about the dead individual themselves. So, as long as there is no one left who cares anymore, or my loved ones are completely at ease with this decision, then I will wholeheartedly donate my body to science.

\\n  \\"Many people will find this book disrespectful. There is nothing amusing about being dead, they will say. Ah, but there is.”\\n

Fascinating, funny, and gruesome - these are the words that come to mind when thinking about this book. It delves into all the things that can happen to the human cadaver, from body snatching to crash test dummies, cosmetic surgery practice to disposal. Mary Roach has done an extensive amount of research on what occurs to the body after someone passes away.

At first, it may sound depressing, but Roach manages to make it very light and surprisingly humorous. I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. She not only explains precisely what happens to a body in a plane crash and a car crash but also delves into the history of acquiring cadavers in the olden days and various ways to dispose of a body other than cremation or burial.

This book is truly enthralling and well-researched. I simply couldn't put it down. I was never bored as she avoids using scientific jargon. Instead, it's entertaining, funny, and informative, all presented in a tasteful manner.

My favorite chapter is "Beyond the Black Box." It details how scientists can recreate the events of a plane crash based on the remains of the deceased and/or the injuries of the survivors, even without access to the Black Box. Other chapters cover the experiences of medical students in Gross Anatomy labs, live burial, medical cannibalism throughout history, and much more. The author concludes her book with a chapter discussing how her research has influenced her personal preferences for the treatment of her body after death. Ms. Roach's investigative journalism is informative, well-researched, objective, and highly entertaining (her footnotes are a particular highlight).

Whether you're an organ donor, considering donating your body to science, or simply opting for a traditional burial, this book will provide you with the inside scoop on what actually takes place in each of those scenarios. Trust me, it's not what you might expect.

Highly recommended.

I never in my wildest dreams guessed that I would have an intense desire to know about what occurs to a dead body after it... well, dies. But here I am, not only reading but also now reviewing a book that delves into precisely that topic.

Was it humorous at times? Indeed, it had its moments of levity. Was it gross? Oh, definitely, there were some parts that made me wrinkle my nose! But was it deeply, utterly FASCINATING?

Yeah, I have to admit, it truly was.

The book didn't overly focus on the scientific aspects, actually. It didn't spend an inordinate amount of time detailing the actual bugs in your gut having a wild party on the abundance of the you-buffet. However, it did present a plethora of eyewitness accounts of morgues and the ordinary lives of the people who work there. Additionally, it touched on the military outfits that utilized bodies for ballistics research. And let's not overlook the second half of the book that delved into the really strange and funky stuff.

You know, like the methods of disposing of your earthly remains from a historical perspective. Oh, those crazy Resurrectionists. Or my personal favorite in the modern era (and hopefully soon-to-be-legal for everyone), the composting farms!

Look, seriously, folks, I firmly believe it's a wonderful concept. First, I get freeze-dried, then shattered into hamburger-sized chunks, and then I actually get to FEED THE PLANTS.

Like, for real, for real. Since ashes are pretty much useless for that purpose and getting buried seems like a bit of a joke when you really think about it, the idea of being turned into mulch so that you actually return your nutrients back to nature is just a BEAUTIFUL gesture.

Where can I sign up? I mean, donating my body to science is great and all, but the poetry of getting mulched is just TOO MUCH FOR ME.

My daughter to my granddaughter: "Your grandfather helped grow this grove of apple trees."

"I thought he was a writer of Science Fiction who rarely went out of the city?"

"Oh, I mean it literally, sweetie. After we mulched him and spread him across the land, he literally helped grow these!"

"But not with his own two hands."

"Oh, no, we used those, too."

"You don't understand me!"

"I want to grow roses. Pink ones."

"Moooooooom!"

Fascinating!!!!

The world is full of countless fascinating things that capture our attention and spark our curiosity. From the mysteries of the universe to the beauty of nature, there is always something new and exciting to discover.

Science and technology have also opened up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing us to explore and understand things that were once thought impossible. We can now travel to the far reaches of the globe, communicate with people from all over the world, and even explore the depths of the ocean.

But it's not just the big things that are fascinating. The smallest details of our daily lives can also hold great interest. The way a flower blooms, the sound of a bird singing, or the pattern on a butterfly's wing can all bring a sense of wonder and delight.

In conclusion, the world is a truly fascinating place, and there is always something new and exciting to discover. Whether we are exploring the mysteries of science, the beauty of nature, or the simple pleasures of everyday life, there is no shortage of things to capture our imagination and make us marvel at the world around us.

I truly, truly relished this book. However, for those individuals who might have an inclination to read it, there are certain caveats.

It should be noted that the remainder of this review has been retracted as a consequence of the alterations in Goodreads' policy and enforcement. You can peruse the reasons behind my decision here.

Meanwhile, you have the option to read the entire review at Smorgasbook. This way, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the book and form your own opinion based on the complete review. Whether you are a voracious reader or someone who is simply looking for a good book to pass the time, it is always beneficial to have access to all the relevant information.