Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

"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, 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 bunion surgery, cadavers have helped make history in their quiet way. 'Delightful--though never disrespectful' (Les Simpson, Time Out New York), Stiff investigates the strange lives of our bodies postmortem and answers the question: What should we do after we die?" -- Back cover.