Years ago at an old place of work, a co-worker who had gotten to know me and my fascination with morbid science gave me a book that they had read titled, "Stiff: the Curious Lives of Human Cadavers". The author, Mary Roach, spun an informed and enthralling account of all of the different and sometimes interesting "adventures" that can happen to your body when you die and donate it to science. I won't go into detail (read the book!) but I will tell you that some of those things go far beyond your regular old medical student anatomy class dissection.
When I was asked to draw Mary Roach for this week's Printers Row Journal, I finally got to put a face with the woman who has written so many great scientific non fiction titles including, "Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife", "Gulp: Adventure on the Alimentary Canal" and other methodical tales that answer all of those questions in the back of your mind that you were always afraid to ask.
Her new book called, "Grunt, the Science of Humans at War", is featured in this week's Printers Row Magazine. I have not read the book but National Geographic Journalist, Simon Worrall describes, "War is Hell. Mary Roach met the folks who make it less so. These "white hat military scientists" try to keep soldiers alive and comfortable."
Printers Row Magazine cover featuring illustrated portrait of Mary Roach.