Examines the alimentary canal and the digestive system, answering such questions as, can constipation kill a person, why the stomach doesn't digest itself, how much can be eaten before the stomach bursts, and more.
Explores how human cadavers have been used throughout history, in such places as medieval European anatomy laboratories, a human decay research facility in Tennessee, and plastic surgery practice labs, and for such purposes as solving the mystery of TWA Flight 800 and testing the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin.
Examines the alimentary canal and the digestive system, answering such questions as, can constipation kill a person, why the stomach doesn't digest itself, how much can be eaten before the stomach bursts, and more.
Describes the weirdness of space travel, answers questions about the long-term effects of living in zero gravity on the human body, and explains how space simulations on Earth can provide a preview to life in space.
The author looks to science to determine whether the human soul exists in death, and travels to various places around the world to discuss supernatural occurrences with spirit guides and mediums.
The author looks to science to determine whether the human soul exists in death, and travels to various places around the world to discuss supernatural occurrences with spirit guides and mediums.
Examines sexual physiology, discussing sex research from the ancient Greeks to Alfred Kinsey in order to better understand the correlation between sexual arousal and the orgasm, while pondering whether dead men are capable of erections, vaginal orgasms, and Viagra.
Mary Roach selects twenty-five works of American science and nature writing as the best of the genre from the year 2010, including pieces by Atul Gawande, Jonathan Franzen, Deborah Blum, Jon Cohen, and others.
