Gulp

by Mary Roach
5 out of 5 stars

Mary Roach has done it again. Exhaustive research involving possibly some of the strangest conversations in the weirdest settings has resulted in yet another book that makes science not only fascinating, but laugh-out-loud funny.

This time, she’s tackled the digestive system – end to end. Historical details, little-known facts, hilarious footnotes* and Roach’s trademark delivery make reading about eating, digestion and, yes, poop, a page turning experience.

Take her conversation about "hooping" in a prison with a likeable guy with nice teeth named Rodriguez (identified as such to protect his identity) serving a life sentence for murder. Hooping, for those not in the know, is when prisoners hide stuff in their rectums. Like iPhones. And more. Much more, as Rodriguez cheerfully shares with us all.

Who knew our gut and overall transport system for food and nutrients (among other things, apparently) was such a marvel of engineering? Mary Roach, that’s who.

She also addresses endless fads that have surrounded our digestion, from fiber obsessions to colon cleansing to the now almost-trendy gluten phobia. And, I’ll just throw this out there, she stuck her arm into a cow’s stomach. Through a specially made "cow window" that the cow didn’t seem to mind. Up to her elbow.

There is no nuance of this topic that is off limits for Roach – from fecal transplants, coprophagia, and the function of flatulence to Elvis' chronic and probably fatal constipation, she er…sniffs out and, by her own admission, sometimes badgers sources to spill what they know and corroborate her findings. E.g., Dr. Rosenbluth:

"Think of it," said Robert Rosenbluth, a doctor whose acquaintance I made at the start of this book. "No engineer could design something as multifunctional and fine-tuned as an anus. To call someone an asshole is really bragging him up."

As a former journalist, I’m continually in awe of the quotes this woman gets.

Get it, read it, and then read all her other books too. In the end (ha), you’ll be smarter, humbler and your sides will hurt from laughing. Seriously. You’ll actually learn a lot about the digestive process, because Gulp is a superior example of science journalism.


*Like this one: "Meaning 'by way of the anus.' 'Per Annum,' with two n's, means 'yearly.' The correct answer to the question, 'What is the birthrate per anum?' is zero (one hopes)."

Or this one: "I challenge you to find a more innocuous sentence containing the words sperm, suction, swallow, and any homophone of seaman. And then call me up on the homophone and read it to me."