Body Worlds The Original Exhibition of Real Human Bodies - Catalog

Excelent book and service, thanks!

When I ordered I thought I had ordered a Video of Bodyworks, but I think I prefer the book now. There is just something about seeing humans in that state especially just after losing my husband. I was amazed at the reality of the human system. Hats of to Mr. Gunther von Hagens. Anybody going into the medical field would benefit 200%. Thank you Irene Campbell

This museum catalogue is a great study in ethics and visual representation. This catalogue shows the display of Human and other mammalian Gestalt Plastinates in various arrangements revealing the usage of internal organs and conveying a sense of personality on the decedent. Gunther Von Hagens challenges centuries of taboo and brings the intricate details and complexity of human anatomy into the visitor experience with his Body Worlds exhibitions. This catalogue has a great academic level compilation of essays on the history of anatomy and ethics. Gunther Von Hagens' writings are also featured in this catalogue. Some of the revelations in the text are quite enlightening and all of the criticisms of the Body Worlds exhibition are well addressed and discussed in this volume. The idea, inevitability, and confrontations with death are issues treated well here. Why do we have the taboos and behaviors we do with proper treatment of the dead? The drawbacks I would mention include not having enough anatomical terminology (perhaps not a drawback for some) and being a bit wanting in photographs. I also want to learn more about the development of the tissues and differentiation, which are not at length discussed. A book like this could have photographs of different cell types, introducing the reader to all the types composing their bodies. Also, the anatomy is not segregated into organ systems, as is typical of anatomy books. I keep wanting to see and learn more! It may be shocking to see our internal organs displayed, but in this volume, our basic anatomy and results of preventable disease are revealed.

This book is full of the work and procedures of plastination allowing the accurate viewing of body systems and organs. Gunther Von Hagens is an interesting character to say the least, and this book allows examples of his wonderous work to be viewed by all in fine detail.

I found this book very interesting. The price was much cheaper than offered at the exhibit.