Gory Details: Adventures From the Dark Side of Science

by Erika Engelhaupt, Briony Morrow-Cribbs (Illustrator)

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781426220975
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	56,833
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

ERIKA ENGELHAUPT has spent more than a decade writing and editing for top science magazines, newspapers, and websites, including National Geographic, Science News, Scientific America, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and NPR. Her love of storytelling has also brought her to the stage, where she's appeared in comedy clubs and on podcasts like The Story Collider. The author of National Geographic's acclaimed "Gory Details" blog, she lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Editorial Reviews

"Engelhaupt has a wonderfully unnerving knack for finding the questions everyone ponders but doesn’t dare to ask out loud. Then, she answers them—scientifically, satisfyingly, and, often, humorously. From murderous meerkats to the secrets of earwax, Gory Details has, well, all the gory details your heart could desire. And though you might cringe or squirm as you go through them, you won’t be able to put it down." — Christie Wilcox, author of VENOMOUS: How the Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry

From the Publisher

★ 01/01/2021

Science journalist Engelhaupt compiles her most intriguing articles from National Geographic, all of which have been expanded on in this engaging collection. The author explores concepts that people have a tendency to shy away from, and she does it with an appropriate amount of levity and humor. She collects research and interviews experts from different fields of study to explain why weird things happen, and then she presents that research in a style that is both informative and entertaining. The title doesn't lie: some of the information is gory, such as details on how things can go badly when a person eats a slug, snail, or worm. Keeping with the gory theme, Engelhaupt also describes stinging insects, and how where on the body you're stung can severely impact the side effects. Each chapter has an individual identity and can be read on its own, or the collection can be read through at once in an enjoyable deep dive. Black-and-white illustrations by Morrow-Cribbs make complex topics more accessible. All research is cited and indexed, so the text can be used for both entertainment and research. VERDICT A must-read for curious minds, trivia fans, and crime drama enthusiasts.—Cate Triola, Dakota Cty. Lib., MN

Library Journal