Staff Pick
I take a great deal of enjoyment out of the weird, and the dark, and the gory. I guess it's the adult version of children's ghost stories told around the campfire. Let's be honest, who exactly can resist a creepy science tale at family dinner? As they say, truth is often stranger than fiction, and I'm thinking Gory Details: Adventures From the Dark Side of Science will prove this old adage in spades. Recommended By Corie K-B., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Filled to the brim with far-out facts, this wickedly informative narrative from the author of National Geographic's popular Gory Details blog takes us on a fascinating journey through an astonishing new reality. Blending humor and journalism in the tradition of Mary Roach, acclaimed science reporter Erika Engelhaupt investigates the gross, strange, and morbid absurdities of our bodies and our universe. From the research biologist who stung himself with every conceivable insect to the world's most murderous mammals, this entertaining book explores oft-ignored but alluring facets of biology, anatomy, space exploration, nature, and more. Featuring interviews with leading researchers in the field and a large dose of wit, this provocative book reveals the most intriguing real-world applications of science in all their glory.
Review
"Engelhaupt has a wonderfully unnerving knack for finding the questions everyone ponders but doesn't dare to ask out loud. Then, she answers them — scientifically, satisfyingly, and, often, humorously. From murderous meerkats to the secrets of earwax, Gory Details has, well, all the gory details your heart could desire. And though you might cringe or squirm as you go through them, you won't be able to put it down." Christie Wilcox, author of Venomous: How the Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry
About the Author
Erika Engelhaupt has spent more than a decade writing and editing for top science magazines, newspapers, and websites, including National Geographic, Science News, Scientific America, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and NPR. Her love of storytelling has also brought her to the stage, where she's appeared in comedy clubs and on podcasts like The Story Collider. The author of National Geographic's acclaimed Gory Details blog, she lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.