Packing for Mars: 4 Stars

   

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

I have a fondness for Mary Roach after meeting her at a book signing. My friend read and loved Stiff, a book about cadavers. She heard she was coming to town and I joined her for the reading. This was for Bonk, a book on the science of sex. I have since read and loved both books and found them not only interesting, but funny when people find them on my bookshelf. 

Packing For Mars was equally interesting and educational about the science of space. She does bring up both cadavers and sex in this book, clearly still interested in her past topics. This book showed so much more than I ever thought of when it comes to space. From body odor, weightlessness effects, to psychological responses, NASA must think of everything before sending people into space. This book, like her others, was very educational and again, Roach added her touch of humor. However, I will warn that Roach does not dance around the gross or "unmentionable". She is blunt and descriptive. But then again, that's why I love her! 

Rating: PG-13