Book Review: Grunt

Grunt, The Curious Science of  Humans at War, by Mary Roach

Mary Roach has a talent for finding the seemingly mundane and turning it into bizarre and fascinating reading. As in Bonk (science and sex), Packing for Mars (science and space), and Stiff  (science and dead bodies), where Roach looked at various aspects of the topics, here she researches how noise, dirt, bomb blasts, and water -- among other things -- affects war planning and the people who fight wars.


The book also has chapters on groin injuries and penile surgery. If you are squeamish like me, you can skip these. I did. But if you're interested, go ahead.


In tackling these issues, Roach does so in a wonderful style -- simultaneously lighthearted and thoughtful. As she says at one point, she takes her work seriously, but herself? Not so much.


But this is a wonderful book. Her observations are witty, sometimes irreverent, even snarky. But her science is sound, her research -- both scientific and historical -- extensive, and her writing grand. Her anecdotes and history of events are compelling and to the point. Her descriptions of people are wonderful and spot-on.

For instance, here is how she describes Craig Blasingame, who works in noise research: "... a former Marine with a wide superhero jaw and muscles so big that when he walks in front of the slide projector, entire images can be viewed on his forearm. Though it's ten in the morning, Craig has a five o'clock shadow."

Yeah. She is that good.