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1-Page Summary of Stiff

Overall Summary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is a nonfiction book about the history of human cadavers. Mary Roach explores how, for nearly two thousand years, dead bodies have been used in research and experimentation leading to some of the most consequential innovations in medical science. Across cultures and civilizations, death has been shrouded in mystery and taboo; yet many innovations could not have been possible without using dead bodies for research or experimentation.

The author shows how modern science is influenced by research involving cadavers. He also demonstrates that the influence of this research has been significant in society and culture, as well as religion.

Stiff is an interesting book about people who deal with dead bodies. It consists of twelve chapters, and the first one focuses on cadaver heads and facial surgery. The second chapter provides a history of body snatching. Chapter three looks at what happens to the body when it isn’t embalmed. Impact studies using cadavers are discussed in chapter four, while airplane crashes are examined in chapter six. Mixing spirituality and science, Roach looks at how experiments were done to verify religious relics (crucifixions) in chapter seven. In chapters eight through ten, she tackles basic questions such as how can you tell if someone is really dead? Before there were stethoscopes and other modern medical tools this wasn’t always readily apparent; decapitation is covered in Chapter Nine, while cannibalism makes up Chapter Ten’s focus topic. Returning to the present day, Roach investigates human composting alternatives for burial (a growing trend). Finally her own personal experience comes into play when she considers what will be done with her own remains after death

The author is a participant in the narrative, making keen observations throughout Stiff. She interviews morticians and attends autopsies to see how bodies are dissected. The author also travels to China to investigate an urban legend that the White Temple Restaurant sold dumplings made from human remains. The subject matter is dark, but Roach’s writing style is humorous and breezy. As a seasoned journalist who writes about science for many publications, she offers her opinions on various topics related to death as well as personal anecdotes from her own experiences with death.

Introduction

The author immediately establishes the irreverent tone throughout Stiff by comparing death to being on a cruise ship. Most of your time is spent lying down, and you’re surrounded by people who are also on vacation. The impact of cadaver research is difficult to quantify because it affects so many different fields, from medicine to gender reassignment surgery. Cadavers have been there alongside surgeons for every major medical breakthrough in history; they’ve helped make history in their own quiet way.

Studies performed on dead bodies are often cruel, but they’re necessary to advance science. These studies offer great contributions by helping the living. Cadavers make useful contributions to society like superheroes do because they endure pain and suffering without complaining or flinching.

Roach’s book is about the “notable achievements made while dead.” She doesn’t want to minimize the impact of death on those who are left behind, but she wants to make sure that people understand that a corpse isn’t really the same as a living person. Roach uses her own mother as an example in this passage. The author would not want to see her mother used for cadaver research because it would be too hard emotionally for her.