Title: Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War Author: Mary Roach
Links: Bookshop (affiliate link) |Goodreads
Rating:
Summary: This was a slightly more depressing topic than Mary Roach’s previous books, but it delivered all the same great elements – fascinating facts, hilarious commentary, and delightful footnotes.
“Grunt tackles the science behind some of a soldier’s most challenging adversaries—panic, exhaustion, heat, noise—and introduces us to the scientists who seek to conquer them” (source). And if you’ve read a book by Mary Roach, that’s probably all you need to know – maybe more than I needed to know. Mary Roach’s amazing ability to find the best fun facts and quirky stories, then present with great candor and humor are enough that I’d read on any topic she wants to write about.
Despite my willingness to follow Mary Roach wherever she wants to go, I did worry as I started this that I wouldn’t enjoy Mary Roach’s irreverent humor being applied to something as serious as war – dead bodies seem a far more appropriate topic than people dying. Fortunately, as soon as I started the intro and the story of the “chicken gun” (I’ll let you find out more for yourself!), I knew this was going to work for me. The author’s own description of herself in the intro as not someone who “shines a spotlight” on the big stories, but someone who “crawls around in the crannies with a flashlight” finding the fun facts perfectly captured what I love about her. Throughout, I appreciated her focusing largely on quirky stories, mostly talking about things other than weapons and mostly on technologies meant to save lives.
This book included all of the things I’ve loved about the author’s previous books. It was filled with fun facts and fascinating stories that I immediately wanted to share. There were also plenty of amusing footnotes for those of us who love these little asides. For those of you who don’t like them, I’m afraid I can’t tell you if there are likely to be enough to bother you. Even though this book bore all of Mary Roach’s signature elements and even though I loved it, it was a little bit darker than her previous books. At the end, is very clear that the author was highly affected by everything she learned about the injuries soldiers sustain and she leaves us asking the question of whether or not any war is worth the cost. I recognize that this is an important question to ask and that it’s probably appropriate that she approached it with some gravity, but I really do pick up her books for the flashlight view of quirky stories, not because I want a spotlight on the bigger issues. As is, I did enjoy this book for the reasons I’ve enjoyed the previous ones and I’d highly recommend it – just be aware that it is a more serious topic than most of her others.
Wesley @ Library Educated
I keep telling everyone about penis transplant surgeries since I’ve read this book. “Not really that far off! It’s probably only a few years away!” I think my friends and family members are getting worried 🙂
DoingDewey
Haha, yep, definitely a fun and strange fact to share! 🙂
Resh Susan
Pretty heavy read for me. Admire how you wrote a well balanced out review.
DoingDewey
Thanks 🙂
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
Did this one publish today? I’m seeing so many reviews, but that’s good because I’m continually more excited to give it a go despite a spotty history with Roach’s books.
DoingDewey
Haha, yep, I think this was a pub date review. I hope this one works for you 🙂
Booker talk
we should applaud authors like Roach who dig beyond the obvious to bring us stories like these
DoingDewey
Agreed! I love her 🙂
Priscilla
Humour in war? Just this fact alone makes me want to read the book!
DoingDewey
It’s definitely a unique combination!
Naomi MacKinnon
I still haven’t read any of her books, but they are definitely on my list. Do you have a favourite?
DoingDewey
So far, I’ve read Stiff, Packing for Mars, and this one. Of those, Stiff is definitely my favorite and it was recommended to me by friends as their favorite too.
Shay
I will also read anything she wants to write about. Bonk is probably my favourite to date, though.
DoingDewey
I still need to pick that one up. It’s on my shelves 🙂
Jennifer C
A new nonfiction author it looks like I really need to read! Added several to my TBR!
DoingDewey
Awesome! She’s definitely worth checking out.
Rhonda
Mary Roach is never afraid to tackle any subject,
DoingDewey
So true! For all that some of the chapters here made me squeamish, I do like that about her.