Packing for Mars – Mary Roach

$9.23 in paperback from amazon.com

Buy it if: You’re a trivia buff. Words that turn you on include “quirky,” “random,” and “idiosyncratic.”

Don’t buy it if: You’re a hardcore space nerd interested in debating launch trajectories and the political governance of the ISS. This book talks about pooping in space.

God knows there have been more than enough articles, books and columns entitled “Everything you ever wanted to know about (blank), but were afraid to ask.” From STDs to Scientology, the world has no shortage of forbidden topics. And, let’s be honest, even those subjects are still going to have more than a few items that make them off-limits for the Barnes & Noble “Features” table. But perennial foot-noter Mary Roach turns this notion on its head. Forget the questions you’re afraid to ask, she’s focused on the ones you didn’t even know you existed.

As such, Packing for Mars is really just the next step down the line for the author of Bonk, Stiff and Spook. * The woman who once questioned what became of medical cadavers after their ‘service’ was complete has moved on to equally fascinating questions like: How do you poop in space?** There’s a good deal more to her writing than sophomoric Q&A with the world’s space explorers, but icky stuff will keep you entertained no matter how little you care for the little bit of science thrown your way as well.

Stylistically, Roach can be a tough nut to crack if you prefer your science writing to be presented with an orderly, methodical approach. At first glance, the writing will feel stream-of-conscience,*** but I’m now convinced that the book’s organization is more of a calculated chaos than it feels. That’s a good thing. Rarely do the chapters lose their luster. If they do, it’s usually only a few pages more before you’re on to something new. (Though always with a very pithy segue!)

If you’re already Roach fan, you’ll be pleased to know that Packing for Mars is closest to Stiff in both style and substance. Its balance of humor with fact is spot on. You’ll giggle to yourself while reading, but still have enough pieces of knowledge to chime in ceaselessly should cocktail conversation ever turn to the subject of NASA, the moon or Tang. If you’re not a regular reader, but are up for a quirky take on the great beyond that reads a bit like Monty Python meets a Tom Hanks miniseries in literary form, you may want to make ‘space’ on your bookshelf.

*Brava, Mary, on you first multi-syllabic title!

**Until now, I never really thought about just how many simple parts of our lives really are governed by gravity. Roach provides us with examples that would make Newton blush.

***This is not helped by the author’s rampant footnoting. Ironically, the footnotes are at least as interesting as the main narrative. Unfortunately, there are times a reader may find themselves wishing that the bottom of the pages were less crowded. The overlong asides can prove to be quite a distraction from the main text. Like this one.