Infused with Mary Roach-style humor and science, this narrative illuminates the gross, strange, morbid, and outright absurd realities of our bodies, the Earth, and universe.
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.
Erika Engelhaupt is a freelance science journalist, editor, and author. Her previous books Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science and Go to Hell: A Traveler’s Guide to Earth’s Most Otherworldly Destinations were also published by National Geographic. Engelhaupt’s writing has appeared in top science magazines, newspapers, and websites, including National Geographic, NPR, Science News, Scientific American, and Popular Mechanics. She holds M.S. degrees in biology and environmental science from Tulane University and the University of Colorado Boulder. While she has worked in laboratories, newsrooms, and editorial cubicles, she is happiest in her home in Knoxville, Tennessee, where she lives with her husband, Jay, and her two cats.