christopher-kennedy

In my last review of a Mary Roach book, I wrote that "she makes learning fun." Which she does. But she also makes it exciting and almost effortless. Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void addresses every possible question you've ever had about the effects of outer space on human beings and other related topics. What training do astronauts undergo? How do astronauts shower and go to the bathroom? Why are astronauts classified as radiation workers? How many G's can the human body withstand? What are the long term - and short term - effects of weightlessness on human physiology, psychology and behavior? Why does equipment tend to overheat in zero G? Why do people get motion sick in space? What's the best way to survive in a falling elevator? (Lying on your back, in case you were wondering.) And every question leads to a dozen more. Roach is incredibly thorough, peppering her interviewees with detailed questions on every aspect of life in space. Never settling for the vague answer, always digging just a little more deeply, providing a little more perspective on the realities of science and engineering. And always with tongue firmly in cheek... To read the rest of this review, visit Build Enough Bookshelves.

2023-06-10 15:36