Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal

Mary Roach is one of the finest humorists working today, and it’s our good fortune that she’s chosen to bring her talents to the realm of science writing.  Otherwise, I might never have been motivated to learn about “Fletcherization,” an early twentieth century dietary fad whose adherents carefully chewed each mouthful of food until it was liquefied – a process that could require dozens of chews per bite. And that’s one of the least bizarre and fascinating stories about human digestion and excretion that this author has to relate.

 

Funny but never mean-spirited, readable but never dumbed-down, this is a book for people who might not otherwise read a science book for enjoyment. And don’t miss this author’s other titles, where she explores the afterlife (Spook), “the curious life of human cadavers” (Stiff), science and sex (Bonk), and interplanetary travel (Packing for Mars).