Rating: 
Summary: FACINATINGLY FUNNY!
Review: Roach is a phenominal writer. She kept me interested with an off-beat subject that I found humerous and facinating. I recommend it highly!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Oddly Appealing and Entertaining
Review: I wanted to say that this book is like..........then I had to stop because I realized that Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is unlike any other book that I've read. If you enjoy those CSI-type television shows then you'll love this book because it details the processes that those actor-pathologists supposedly go through before proclaiming the cause of death. Informative, yes, but it's author Mary Roach's light-hearted quips and sometimes sardonic wit that makes this book oh so entertaining. I found it somewhat ironic to be laughing out loud while reading about such an off-beat, serious and sometimes morbid subject as human cadavers. As interesting and important cadaver research is today it has an even more colorful and entertaining history. As Ms Roach takes you through its evolution she introduces you to some of the strangest people performing some of the weirdest undertakings in their endeavors to understand and treat the human condition. Definitively a uniquely fascinating read.
Rating:
Summary: A weird little guilty pleasure read
Review: Who knew a morbid topic like cadavers could provide such a fertile source for humor? I found myself laughing out loud many times while reading this odd but fascinating book. Early on the author states that Stiff is not about the process of dying or the loss of loved ones which are decidedly unfunny topics. It's all about the curious things that human kind has done with the dead over the centuries. Yes, much of it is rather gruesome but it's written in such a humourous and tasteful way as not to be offensive (strange as that may sound). This is not subject matter that most people would be apt to admit an interest in, however there must be a reason there are so many popular "morgue" shows on TV. While certainly not for everyone, if you've ever been curious about the "lives" of cadavers, this one will not disappoint. 4.5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: Informative without being overly depressing
Review: While I'd never say I have an obsession with death, seeing as it's an inevitable part of life, I do have more than a passing interest in the subject. I knew about most of the ways, mentioned in "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers", that human bodies were used throughout history, but I never realized all of the amazing ways modern science is currently using cadavers to improve health, safety, and public knowledge. Although the book delves into many possibly disturbing uses for deceased humans, if you're buying this book you know to expect that anyway. The only part that remotely disturbed me was the description of what happens to prepare a "decedent" for viewing at a funeral, but then I'm generally not too squeamish. Mary Roach tends to wander a bit from the subject at hand, especially during some of the more intense descriptions, but she does an excellent job of fitting in humorous anecdotes throughout the book, which help keep the information from being completely depressing, while maintaining a sense of dignity for the dead, since the jokes are generally aimed at living individuals. Thanks to "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers", I now have a better respect for people who choose to donate their bodies to science, without an inkling of which of many possible things will be happening to them, and I have a better idea of what I'd like to happen to my body once my soul leaves this world.
Rating:
Summary: Weird, morbid, and hilarious
Review: I can't say that this book wasn't what I expected since, well, I'm not sure WHAT I expected. Yes, I had some idea, but the writing and subject material went beyond my wildest dreams. Not for the squeamish, this well-written book is on the same artistic level as Jackson McCrae's THE BARK OF THE DOGWOOD with its funny, dark, and honest portrait of life or the lack thereof. Hysterical in places, graphic in others, it's like a bad freeway accident that you can't look at but can't turn away from. This is surely one of the most unusual books I've ever come across. A must! Also recommended: McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD and THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY
Rating: 
Summary: 224 pages of an author's neurotic ramblings
Review: This book is a wonderful read for those with a morbid curiosity about death and dead things. Don¡¯t we all have a little of that in us? The armchair doctor that watches TLC operation or Emergency dramas. Or the teenager into ¡°Faces of Death¡± will relish in this books descriptions of the decayed, rotten and gruesome descriptions.
If you are a health professional or student in the the death care industry this book may annoy you. The author¡¯s approach is just tired. The author demonstrates her discomfort with her mortality and a discomfort with her morbidity rather than accepting it. If one is going to write a book about death and after death that author should have reached a place psychologically in which they can examine the topic without their self consciousness and death anxiety impeding their narrative. Far too many books on the subject of death written by laymen are wrought with this. It would be refreshing to read a book on the topic of cadavers, embalming, anatomical bequest that moved beyond the laymen¡¯s self-centered psychological fixation and neurosis. The author should stick to travel writing. In such a genre she can fully embrace and be open to the topic. It doesn¡¯t appear as though Mary Roach actually gets it. She doesn¡¯t really get to the heart of understanding organ donation, embalming, death research. She only seeks to reveal 224 pages of her bias.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating and Thought Provoking
Review: I happened to stumble on this book and I am very glad that I did! This is THE most interesting book that I have read. Mary Roach gives so much information with respectful humour. It made me think about the contributions that we can make in all aspects of the world after we have passed on. She makes those options feel sensible and with so much compassion. Needless, to say, I read this book twice. Once at home and one on a cruise! It is that easy of a read. You can't put it down.
Rating: 
Summary: Speaking with the Dead
Review: Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is a very original if somewhat disturbing read. If you ever wondered what happens to a body when it dies, if you ever wondered what kind of research is being done on corpses, if you ever wondered what happens if you "donate" your body to science, then this is the book for you. If any of these topics sent a shiver down your spine (or did much worst), then I advise you to stay far away from this one. The real charm of the book is that, while being very informative and straight to the point, Roach's writing is often humorous in a morbid way that often brought a smile to my lips. She remarks some things that I would never had even thought of and makes some jokes that, done by any other author, could have seem tasteless (in fact, her humour is what makes this book such a fascinating read). There wasn't a single chapter in this little tome that I didn't find fascinating, but some stood out more than others. In How To Know If You're Dead, Roach examines the different theories about the human soul to try and locate its presence (is it in the heart? the brain? the liver?). In Beyond the Black Box, she explains what happens to someone who is victim of a plane crash and how experts determine the cause of the crash. In Lifer After Death, Roach explains the different stages of decomposition. And in Just A Head, Roach examines the very strange subject of decapitation. If this all sounds morbid, well, it is. But Roach's book is so well researched and informative that it all goes down easy for the reader. Roach never shies away from the truth, no matter how gruesome it may get. Is this one for everyone? Not nearly. The topic will put off some, while the vivid imagery with turn off many others. But if you have the heart (and stomach) to take this one in, the ride will make you discover things you never knew about death, and will confirm or finally put to rest other assumptions you could have.
Rating:
Summary: Dedicated to our Deceased Friends
Review: Mary Roach has tackled a rather strange but interesting topic in her book Stiff. Have you ever wondered what happens to our deceased brethren who didn't go straight to the grave? Well, Roach describes the innumerable ways the dead have contributed to our understanding of the human body, forensics, car crashes, airplane disasters, and even crucifixion. You would think that a book on cadavers would maintain a somber tone, but Roach's writing is full of humor. At first, her attitude seems irreverent, but discussing the trials and travails of the dead wouldn't garner any interest if the book's tone were morbid. Most people who donate their bodies to science probably think that they are going to end up under the knife of a medical student in gross anatomy lab. Although most cadavers are used for anatomic dissection, there are many that aren't. Many cadavers have been involved in numerous car crash tests to help elucidate the nature of injuries suffered in a collision. Some cadavers currently lie in a field decaying as scientists try to figure out the events that take place during decomposition. A few cadavers have been turned into anatomical works of art in a traveling exhibit that has not yet gained entry into the US. A cadaver or two have even been used unfortunately to prove and disprove details of Christ's crucifixion. Roach really makes us appreciate what cadavers have done for us. Without them, our scientific knowledge would certainly be impoverished. As a medical student who went through gross anatomy 3 years ago, I appreciate the significance of the gifts given to me and my fellow students. Several unselfish humans were willing to teach me anatomy through their gifts knowing that their bodies would be reduced to a collection of skinless limbs, dissected organs, a head, and sundry other pieces. This book made me appreciate even more the gifts given to me and all the other scientists/researchers who have benefited from learning from cadavers. Read this book, and you'll appreciate anatomical donors for the unselfish heroes that they are.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting look at death
Review: Mary Roach covers every aspect and experiences of death in this book. Very interesting and informative book- she tells us about the purposes of the bodys and what they do with them and the many experiences that they go through when donated to science and how they help us learn and they can go to many uses to help mankind like being used in experiments and can help solve mystery's about crimes or accidents and can help us improve products so thier safe for the humans that are alive. This book has many fascinating storys and is very good read. Highly recomended. 5 stars
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