'The funniest book [of the year] by far... almost every page made me laugh out loud.' Sunday Times, Best Science Books of 2013 'Witty, illuminating and at times astonishing.' Mail on Sunday 'Witty [and] enjoyable' Independent on Sunday 'The best kind of lavatory reading... exhaustive and irreverent' Sunday Telegraph, paperback review 'Mary Roach is a science writer who looks very closely at normal things - and close up, lots of things look weird or horrifying... The bit you will talk about most is how prisoners hide things up their bottoms' Evening Standard 'Far away her funniest and most sparkling book' New York Times 'Engrossingly gross' Scotsman 'The best kind of lavatory reading' Sunday Telegraph 'Insightful, sharp science writing that will have you snorting with laughter is Mary Roach's speciality' New Scientist 'Disgustingly good... Roach takes a superbly witty prod at our innards.' The Times 'Roach writes clearly, with gallows humour...compelling' Evening Standard 'A wonderful read' BBC Focus 'Joyously funny and intrepidly smart' Saga

Mary Roach is the bestselling author of several popular science books. She has written for the Guardian, Wired, BBC Focus, GQ and Vogue and many other publications. She lives in California.