BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stock photo: cover may vary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers Hardback - 2003

by Mary Roach

Add to wish list

In her droll, intimate voice, Roach conducts an oddly compelling, often hilarious forensic exploration of the strange lives of bodies postmortem. 13 illustrations.

Reader reviews for Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Write a review for this book

There are no reviews for this book yet. Be the first to write a review!

Your review will be anonymous unless you login or create an account first.

Overall rating
Remember: You’re rating the book as a work, not the seller or the condition of the specific copy you purchased!

Important Terms and Guidelines

  • Please focus on the book’s content and context. Also, add any personal comments as to how you enjoyed the book. Substantiate your likes and dislikes. You may make comparisons to other books.
  • Reviews must be at least 140 characters in length.
  • Please do not reveal critical plot elements.
  • This is not a help line. Contact customer support if you need help.
Your review must not include:
  • Obscenities, discriminatory language, or other insulting language not suitable for public domain
  • Advertisements, “spam” content, or references to other products, offers or websites.
  • Email addresses, URLs, phone numbers, physical addresses or other contact information.
  • Overly critical comments about other reviews or reviewers
  • Time-sensitive material (i.e. promotional tours, seminars, lectures, etc.)
  • Availability, price, or alternative ordering/shipping information

From the publisher

Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers--some willingly, some unwittingly--have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.

In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries--from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them.

First line

The human head is of the same approximate size and weight as a roaster chicken.

Details

  • Title Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
  • Author Mary Roach
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 304
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher W. W. Norton & Company, New York
  • Publication date 2003-04-17
  • Illustrated Yes
  • Features Bibliography, Illustrated
  • ISBN 9780393050936 / 0393050939
  • Weight 1.08 lbs (0.49 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.47 x 5.94 x 1.12 in (21.51 x 15.09 x 2.84 cm)
  • Reading level 1230
  • Themes
    • Topical: Death/Dying
  • Category Science
  • Library of Congress subjects Dead, Human experimentation in medicine
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2002152908
  • Dewey Decimal Code 611

Media reviews

Citations

  • ALA Best Books Young Adults, 03/15/2004, Page 1280
  • Booklist, 03/15/2003, Page 1263
  • Booklist Ed Choice Adu Bk YA's, 01/01/2004, Page 778
  • Entertainment Weekly, 04/18/2003, Page 75
  • Kirkus Reviews, 02/01/2003, Page 216
  • Library Journal, 03/01/2003, Page 113
  • Library Journal Prepub Alert, 12/01/2002, Page 96
  • People Weekly, 06/02/2003, Page 44
  • Publishers Weekly, 02/24/2003, Page 60
  • School Library Journal, 07/01/2003, Page 153
  • SLJ's Best Books, 12/01/2003, Page 51
  • Voice of Youth Advocates, 02/01/2004, Page 514
Back to top↑

More Copies for Sale

Show all copies
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Hardback
Condition
Very Good Condition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
Easy Chair Books
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$6.44
A$7.87 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton, 2003. Hardcover. Very Good Condition/Good. 303 pages. Faint discoloring; a sound binding; very good shape. The jacket has light wear. Quantity Available: 1. Category: Science & Nature; ISBN: 0393050939. ISBN/EAN: 9780393050936. Inventory No: 231707. . 9780393050936
Add to wish list
Item price
A$6.44
A$7.87 Delivery to USA
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stock photo: cover may vary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Roach, Mary

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
9
Seller
ateambooks
Item price
A$7.14
A$4.29 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company, 4/17/2003 12:00:01 A. hardcover. Acceptable. 1.0200 in x 8.6600 in x 5.7900 in.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$7.14
A$4.29 Delivery to USA
Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2003. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
3
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2003. Hardcover. Good. Missing dust jacket; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2003. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:A readable copy. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. Pages can include considerable notes-in pen or highlighter-but the notes cannot obscure the text. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2003. Hardcover. Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Stiff : The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardback
Condition
Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
2
Seller
ThriftBooks
Biblio Top Seller
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Norton & Company, Incorporated, W. W., 2003. Hardcover. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$9.89
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stock photo: cover may vary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Roach, Mary

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
1
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
BooksRun
Item price
A$12.15
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company. 1. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.15
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stock photo: cover may vary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Roach, Mary

  • Used
  • Very good
  • first
Condition
Very good
Edition
1
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
BooksRun
Item price
A$12.75
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company. 1. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$12.75
Free Delivery to USA
Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
Stock photo: cover may vary

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Roach, Mary

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
1
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780393050936 / 0393050939
Quantity available
1
Seller
Ergodebooks
Item price
A$13.97
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
W. W. Norton & Company, 2003-04-17. 1. hardcover. Used: Good. 5.80x1.00x8.60. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$13.97
Free Delivery to USA
Show all copies
Back to top↑

Please wait a moment while we load the requested page.