Mary Roach

"America's funniest science writer" Washington Post) Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected, and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war.

The Curious Science of Humans at War

Grunt

"America's funniest science writer" (Washington Post) Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected, and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war.

Wynter

While it's common knowledge that governments of the world spend the most on military, it's hard to imagine where all of those billions are going to specifically. Thankfully, Mary Roach is here to let us see the glimpse of the amazing research and training facilities whose sole goal is too keep soldiers alive and well. As always, the facts are presented in Mary's unique, humorous voice that is pure joy to follow.

Ryan LaFerney

The country's greatest popular science writer, Mary Roach, tackles the curious science of humans of war. Topics include: genital transplants, shark repellent, and diarrhea. Witty and informative as usual. If you're interested in exploring keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected in the extreme circumstances of war, and can handle some gruesome details, this is your book!

Josh Clement

Disjointed. Scattered stories about the military science/research/tech without a lot of depth and too much gross out humour.

A finalist for the Los Angeles Times Science & Technology Book Prize ‘The most entertaining writer in science’ – The Times, Books of the Year War. Mention it and most of us think of history, of conflicts on foreign soil, of heroism and compromise, of strategy and weapons. But there’s a whole other side to the gruesome business of the battlefield. In Grunt, the inimitable Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war. Setting about her task with infectious enthusiasm, she sniffs World War II stink bombs, tests earplugs in a simulated war zone and burns the midnight oil with the crew of a nuclear submarine. Speaking to the scientists and the soldiers, she learns about everything from life-changing medical procedures to innovations as esoteric as firing dead chickens at fighter jets. Engrossing, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny, this is an irresistible ride to the wilder shores of modern military life.

Melody Izard

It's humorous, but should it be? I guess it shows progress in thinking of soldiers not as expendable fighters. OK - there is still some of that - but this is mostly about research being done to improve the life and comfort of the soldier. But it certainly is interesting and very well written. I love Mary Roach.

Kerry Gibbons

Okay this may not have been as world-shakingly incredible as Stiff, but I think I actually may have enjoyed it as much if not more than Bonk! Loved it. And I was very apprehensive about reading this as I really didn't want to read about making a better bullet... but as it turns out, Mary Roach was not interested in writing one either and so this book basically never focused on weapons themselves. Almost all of it was concerned about safety and medicine. So... don't be scared away by the fact that it's "about" war.

Matt Stein

Andrew Reeves

Chris Farrell 

Becca M

tash lee

Ashley McFarland

Emily Pauls

Ewan

Jonah Ollman

L A-T

Amanda Gilson

KADY BURNS

Mandi Jayne

Kirsten Adam

Kevan Lee

Mention it and most of us think of history, of conflicts on foreign soil, of heroism and compromise, of strategy and weapons. But there's a whole other side to the gruesome business of the battlefield. In Grunt, the inimitable Mary Roach explores the science of keeping human beings intact, awake, sane, uninfected and uninfested in the bizarre and extreme circumstances of war.Setting about her task with infectious enthusiasm, she sniffs World War II stink bombs, tests earplugs in a simulated war zone and burns the midnight oil with the crew of a nuclear submarine. Speaking to the scientists and the soldiers, she learns about everything from life-changing medical procedures to innovations as esoteric as firing dead chickens at fighter jets. Engrossing, insightful and laugh-out-loud funny, this is an irresistible ride to the wilder shores of modern military life.

Grunt The Curious Science of Humans at War

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