I enjoy well written books about science. Last month, I raved about Hope Jahren’s brilliant Lab Girl and now, in an embarrassment of riches, we have Mary Roach’s quirky, Grunt. Mary Roach pursues science in her own unique way. Panic, exhaustion, heat, and noise are the enemies of soldiers. Roach hangs out with Marines and snipers to learn their secrets. And we find out why shrimp are more dangerous to sailors than sharks. If you’re in the mood for a very different viewpoint on life in the military, Grunt will surprise and delight you. GRADE: A
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION
1.Second Skin: What to wear to war
2.Boom Box: Automotive safety for people who drive on bombs
3.Fighting by Ear: The conundrum of military noise
4.Below the Belt: The cruelest shot of all
5.It Might Get Weird: A salute to genital transplants
6.Carnage Under Fire: How do combat medics cope?
7.Sweating Bullets: The war on heat
8.Leaky SEALs: Diarrhea as a threat to national security
9.The Maggot Paradox: Flies on the battlefield, for better and worse
10.What Doesn’t Kill You Will Make You Reek: A brief history of stink bombs
11.Old Chum: How to make and test a shark repellent
12.That Sinking Feeling: When things go wrong under the sea
13.Up and Under: A submarine tries to sleep
14.Feedback from the Fallen: How the dead help the living stay that way
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Now I need to know: why are shrimp more dangerous than sharks?
Jeff, no spoilers…but it’s a good reason!
I’m with you jeff. the only thing i can think of is due to the small size, maybe they get caught in equipment
Maggie, GRUNT like all of Mary Roach’s books overflows with information that is completely new.
That’s what I thought – masses of them foul the propeller. But I know little about boats.
Jeff, my father served on a destroy for four years during World War II. He told my mother he never wanted to step on a boat again.
My father shipped to England and back on those huge ships. A lot of guys were seasick. His problem was on the return. He got to eat some green peppers, which he loved but hadn’t had in four years in England, and the raw peppers made him sick as a dog on the ship home.
Jeff, I suspect I would get seasick easily so I avoid boats of all shapes and sizes! My sister, who has been on over 50 cruises, obviously doesn’t have that problem.
my dad was in cuba during a lot of the war and feasted on lobster I never saw him eat lobster again, probably due to the cost
Maggie, my Dad was fond of steamed clams. It must be genetic because I love them, too!
Maybe shrimp poison a lot of people but sharks don’t attack is much!
I went to Nam on a troop ship! The first few days out had a lot of guys puking all over the place! I never did, being a Navy brat and all! The accommodations were somewhat simpler than what you’d find on a Carnival Cruise liner, though!
Bob, I’m sure you’re getting ready to watch the latest SHARKNADO extravaganza on Sunday night!