Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

Mary Roach's Stiff is an occasionally informative tour of the history and uses of human cadavers, from the early years of human dissection to cannibalism to various modern applications (cosmetic surgery research, car crash tests and organ transplantation). There are several interesting anecdotes throughout the book; for example, I was not aware that for years most US medical schools used human skeletons imported from India in their classrooms -- until the Indian government banned the practice, which led the schools to now use plastic versions instead. And Roach has a breezy and humorous prose style that will appeal to many readers (though it may turn off others hoping for a more scholarly approach).