Book Review: Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


All those questions you have occasionally had about how the astronauts do what they do in zero gravity are answered in this informative, funny book. Roach is very frank in her language when describing various bodily functions (and making the obvious humorous connections), as well as describing how the unprotected human body may react to various forces it may encounter in the event things go wrong--so that will put some readers off. I don't recommend reading the chapter on motion sickness while you're eating. But the author gives not only the how-they-do-its but also the how-they-figured-out-how-to-do-its in a refreshing and sometimes laugh-out-loud manner. One wonders how she got access to the people, places, and information she shares, because she gets all the info and the interviews you hoped for.



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