READ THESE INSTEAD (@ comments)

this is a book very blatantly about dead human bodies and how they have been used (whether scientifically or not). its on the cover, its on the back, its not a secret. an author can absolutely inject pieces of themselves into a nonfiction book to humanize the subject or make it more relatable, but it feels more like a book about Roach's thoughts and feelings on cadavers as she learns about them and NOT a book about cadavers with the occasional input from Roach. for a book labeled as "science" it is not rooted in fact (instead its basis is incredibly personal) and should be more appropriately labeled "social sciences" to reflect the leeway of heavily incorporated biases. its definitely a white eurocentric standardized view that does not properly look into other failings in cadaver-related sciences (lack of body types tested on, properly discussing the continued disproportion of impoverished people being targeted to donate ...don't even get me started on ch6's "sticky ethics of bullets and bombs" with not even an ATTEMPT at acknowledging war crimes and criminal testing on imprisoned persons (WWII, Vietnam, etcetc), dead or alive!) The only attempts to even brush on the "bad side" is touching on resurrection men and how a "couple were definitely criminals killing people for a quick buck" (oh honey, there's definitely more than just that going on but ok).

I was genuinely INCREDIBLY frustrated with ch10 (medicinal cannibalism). I'll keep it simple by saying I have an anthropology degree with honors, having taken multiple courses on the dead/dying + its a special interest of mine, and how other cultures and history were handled in that chapter WAS. NOT. IT. incredibly sensationalized and the amount of content taken at face value was astounding. im specifically referring to the "mellified dead that 'volunteered themselves'" and the selling of "fake mummies" early in the chapter. secondhand accounts and trickle-down historical rumors are equally mixed in genuine factual information with no distinction or seperation. the misquotation of a resource on page 223 giving the false illusion that "only jews were selling (now fake) mummies" to later follow with the quoted quip of "the Jew eventually had his revenge on his ancient oppressors." CJS Thompson's 'The Mystery and Art of the Apothecary' is open-source on internet archive if you want to cross reference yourself (it was a single, specific instance mentioned, not an ongoing trend + there are no other resources mentioning this claim, I've looked HARD + never come across this claim before this). the same chapter takes a weird and distasteful approach on Chinese historical claims of cannibalism (which tended to be more symbolic than actual in reality or rooted in surviving EXTREME famines), as well as perpetuating that "Chinese people have no love for dogs." I could write a thesis on my frustrations with ch10!!!

my ultimate gripe through this whole book is really the weird inconsistent dance of humor and sudden sensitivity, while completely lacking sensitivity at times where I'd argue it really should be there (im not saying a good balance is impossible! it absolutely misses the mark in this book multiple times though). i would have been far more forgiving if her "new content" slapped at the end actually addressed that times have changed and not just a quick rehashing of scientific advancements.

if you know someone with a passing interest and wants a quick read about cadavers, sure this technically fits the bill. but there is absolutely other resources out there with a fuller understanding (and handled in a more consistent manner and still being modestly tongue-in-cheek at times) that i will absolutely be directing others to FAR before this book.

things I did like: ■ ch 5's exploration of studying bodies to understand plane crashes. ■ Roach's willingness to actually meet and witness the uses of cadavers, as well as professionals in the field. ■ resources listed

this is easily THE most up-to-date and modern history of cryptozoology (or even one could say "zoological mythology") for the big favorites with the longer histories (Bigfoot/Yeti, Loch Ness/Sea Serpents, and Mokele Mbembe). its also a fantastic scientifically critical book, not outright refusing the "collected evidence", but outlining the requirements to be recognized by the scientific community and addresses some of the logical/pseudoscience fallacies that are most commonly reached for.

I genuinely couldn't be more pleased with Loxton and Prothero!! they bring the RECEIPTS (so much so the actual end of the writing is like 56%), so if you love to read direct quotes, dig through historical records, or even just follow a resource trail: they have you COVEREDDD.

most favorite section: the last chapter, covering the social impact, psychology, and other very human elements of cryptozoology! (runner up: Loch Ness, specifically King Kong's cultural impact!)

least favorite section: sea serpents.....there reached a point where I felt like I just kept reading the same quotes over and over, but thats not necessarily the fault of the messenger (authors) lol, historical reports be like that