The Skeptics Guide #1072 - Jan 24 2026

In *Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law*, Mary Roach delves into the complex and often humorous world of human-wildlife conflicts. She follows animal-attack forensics investigators, human-elephant conflict specialists, and other experts to understand how animals interact with human environments. The book combines little-known forensic science and conservation genetics with engaging anecdotes, revealing as much about humanity as about nature’s lawbreakers. Roach argues that humans are often both the problem and the solution in these conflicts, and her work offers hope for compassionate coexistence in our expanding human habitat.

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers is a non-fiction book by Mary Roach that delves into the history and various uses of human cadavers, from medical research to crash test dummies. Roach's narrative is both informative and humorous, making the book an engaging read for those interested in medical history and science. The book covers topics such as body snatching, decomposition, and alternative burial methods, offering a unique perspective on death and the human body.

In 'Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal', Mary Roach delves into the intricacies of the human digestive system, starting from the sense of smell and taste, through the mouth, stomach, and intestines, to the final stages of elimination. The book is filled with fascinating anecdotes, historical accounts, and scientific insights, including visits to a pet-food taste-test lab, a fecal transplant procedure, and discussions on topics such as flatulence, constipation, and the stomach's remarkable abilities. Roach's approach makes even the most taboo subjects engaging and entertaining, highlighting the complex and often surreal aspects of human biology.