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Summaries of books by Mary Roach:

Stiff

The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Mary Roach
The book explores the scientific and ethical aspects of what happens to human bodies after death, delving into the history of cadaver use in medical research, crash testing, forensic studies, and other fields. It combines humor with respectful curiosity to examine the various ways in which deceased bodies contribute to the living world, from organ donation to life-saving medical advancements.
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Grunt

The Curious Science of Humans at War
Mary Roach
The book delves into the lesser-known aspects of military science, exploring the quirky and critical research that goes into ensuring soldiers' survival and effectiveness, from clothing design to the impact of panic, extreme noise, and combat wounds. It provides an in-depth look at the scientists and medical professionals dedicated to improving soldiers' lives and safety on and off the battlefield.
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Gulp

Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
Mary Roach
The book delves into the human digestive system, exploring its peculiarities and the science behind how we consume and process food. It combines humor with research, taking readers on a journey from ingestion to excretion, while uncovering surprising facts and historical anecdotes about our alimentary canal.
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Bonk

The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
Mary Roach
The book delves into the scientific study of human sexuality, exploring a range of topics from the physiology of sexual arousal to the history of sex research. It combines humor with rigorous investigation, as the author participates in experiments and interviews experts to uncover the mysteries of sexual function and behavior.
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Packing for Mars

The Curious Science of Life in the Void
Mary Roach
The book delves into the bizarre and rigorous aspects of space travel, exploring the everyday challenges astronauts face in zero gravity. It covers topics from the psychology of isolation to the peculiarities of space hygiene and the science behind surviving in such an extreme environment.
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Spook

Science Tackles the Afterlife
Mary Roach
The book investigates the scientific efforts to prove or disprove the existence of an afterlife, exploring a range of topics from reincarnation and near-death experiences to ghost hunting and the history of spirit communication. It combines humor with a critical eye, as the author participates in various experiments and interviews experts in an attempt to understand humanity's enduring quest to answer the question of what happens after death.
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