Mary Roach's, Grunt: The Curious Science of Humans at War, covers the science of keeping people alive in a war. She digs into questions about hearing protection on the battlefield. Firing guns and artillery produce loud noises but soldiers also need to communicate.
Mary investigates how the military designs clothing and keeps flies away from food. Capriciously picking the wrong camouflage pattern puts lives at risk. Flies help transmit foodborne illness but the maggots can also be used to clean dead tissue from wounds.
Occasionally military research looks at human animal interactions as they attempt to develop a shark repellent. Hint: Giving a shark a forceful shot in the nose often is a successful strategy. Researchers also discovered that polar bears and black bears like feminine hygiene products. Who knew?
Mary does not shy away from squeamish topics. She embraces them with enthusiasm. She takes the reader on an extended discussion regarding surgery options for individuals who were wounded in their private parts as a result of IED attacks.
This is an excellent book for health and safety people as well as those in public health, engineering and medicine. Mary has written several books including Packing for Mars, Gulp, and Stiff. This book is a welcome addition to the collection.
Book summary of Grunt by Mary Roach 3 minutes
National Book festival discussion of Grunt by Mary Roach 11 minutes
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