Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal
Gulp: Adventures on the Alimentary Canal by Mary Roach, published by W. W. Norton & Company in April 2013, is an illustrated exploration of the human digestive system. In this engaging work, Roach delves into the often-overlooked aspects of our alimentary canal, addressing questions that range from the appeal of crunchy foods to the mysteries of digestion. With a page count of 348, this edition invites readers to embark on a journey through the invisible realm within us.
Readers will encounter a blend of science and humor as Roach introduces various scientists tackling unconventional questions about the digestive process. The narrative includes visits to unique locations such as a pet-food taste-test lab and a fecal transplant, while also featuring a diverse cast of characters, from researchers to cultural figures. Gulp presents a fascinating look at topics related to gastroenterology and human anatomy, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in the intersection of science and everyday life.
Official synopsis Publisher
The irresistible, ever-curious, and always best-selling Mary Roach returns with a new adventure to the invisible realm we carry around inside.
“America’s funniest science writer” (Washington Post) takes us down the hatch on an unforgettable tour. The alimentary canal is classic Mary Roach terrain: the questions explored in Gulp are as taboo, in their way, as the cadavers in Stiff and every bit as surreal as the universe of zero gravity explored in Packing for Mars. Why is crunchy food so appealing? Why is it so hard to find words for flavors and smells? Why doesn’t the stomach digest itself? How much can you eat before your stomach bursts? Can constipation kill you? Did it kill Elvis? In Gulp we meet scientists who tackle the questions no one else thinks of—or has the courage to ask. We go on location to a pet-food taste-test lab, a fecal transplant, and into a live stomach to observe the fate of a meal. With Roach at our side, we travel the world, meeting murderers and mad scientists, Eskimos and exorcists (who have occasionally administered holy water rectally), rabbis and terrorists—who, it turns out, for practical reasons do not conceal bombs in their digestive tracts.
Like all of Roach’s books, Gulp is as much about human beings as it is about human bodies.
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