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And Then You're Dead: What Really Happens If You Get Swallowed by a Whale, Are Shot from a Cannon, or Go Barreling over Niagara Paperback – April 4, 2017

by Cody Cassidy (Author), Paul Doherty (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 317 ratings
Editors' pick Best Nonfiction
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A gleefully gruesome look at the actual science behind the most outlandish, cartoonish, and impossible deaths you can imagine
 
What would happen if you took a swim outside a deep-sea submarine wearing only a swimsuit? How long could you last if you stood on the surface of the sun? How far could you actually get in digging a hole to China? Paul Doherty, senior staff scientist at San Francisco’s famed Exploratorium Museum, and writer Cody Cassidy explore the real science behind these and other fantastical scenarios, offering insights into physics, astronomy, anatomy, and more along the way.

Is slipping on a banana peel as hazardous to your health as the cartoons imply? Answer: Yes. Banana peels ooze a gel that turns out to be extremely slippery. Your foot and body weight provide the pressure. The gel provides the humor (and resulting head trauma).

Can you die by shaking someone’s hand? Answer: Yes. That’s because, due to atomic repulsion, you’ve never actually touched another person’s hand. If you could, the results would be as disastrous as a medium-sized hydrogen bomb.

If you were Cookie Monster, just how many cookies could you actually eat in one sitting? Answer: Most stomachs can hold up to sixty cookies, or around four liters. If you eat or drink more than that, you’re approaching the point at which the cookies would break through the lesser curvature of your stomach, and then you’d better call an ambulance to Sesame Street.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Books
  4. Publication date
    April 4, 2017
  5. Dimensions
    5.4 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0143108441
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0143108443
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“As someone who is averse to flying, elevators, and a catalog of other things I’d rather not admit to, I found this book strangely cathartic. A great read, full of interesting anecdotes and funny commentary.”
—Ali Almossawi, author of Bad Choices and An Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments

“Arch, brainy . . . [with] vivid, engaging, and utterly fascinating scientific explanations. This merrily macabre compendium playfully offers lessons in basic human physiology, nuclear fusion, quantum physics, and fluid dynamics, among other things, and at every turn, the authors explain the concepts cogently and with gleeful enthusiasm. . . . With bite-size morsels of astonishing science and the perfect combination of smart-alecky writing and black humor, this page-turner will surely debunk any misapprehension that science is dull.”
—Booklist

“Entertaining—if harrowing.”
—The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

Cody Cassidy has worked as the sports editor for Zimbio.com, a sports reporter for Stanford Athletics, and a writer for Coach magazine. He has no firsthand experience with any of the scenarios described in this book.

Paul Doherty worked as the senior staff scientist at San Francisco’s famed Exploratorium Museum. He is the co-writer numerous books, including The Exploratorium Science Snackbook, Explorabook, and the Klutz Book of Magnetic Magic. He received his PhD in solid state physics from MIT.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Books (April 4, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0143108441
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0143108443
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 317 ratings

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Cody Cassidy

Cody Cassidy

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
317 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book amusing, lighthearted, and humorous. They describe it as a unique, good read that is good to read all at once or in chapter-sized chunks. Readers appreciate the educational value, saying it's reminiscent of enjoyable learning experiences in Mary Roach's books.

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HumorReadabilityEducational valueTime value
25 customers mention "Humor"25 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amusing, lighthearted, and humorous. They say it's a delightful blend of wit and real science. Readers also mention the short chapters make them smile and even laugh out loud.

"Fun, fun read with solid science behind it that manages to inform and teach without being boring...." Read more

"All kinds of interesting “what-ifs,” told in a compelling and conversational style. Good to read all at once or in chapter-sized chunks." Read more

".../impossible scenarios provide fascinating, genuine science laced with humor making for delightful learning experiences...." Read more

"It's still a great book, don't get me wrong.It's entertaining, informative, and is definitely a good read...." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, informative, and a good read. They mention it's good to read all at once or in chapter-sized chunks. Some say it's a great book for kids and has quick chapters.

"...The chapters are short, individual "what-ifs" that allow the reader to skip around to the chapters that interest them the most, though I..." Read more

"...Good to read all at once or in chapter-sized chunks." Read more

"...It's entertaining, informative, and is definitely a good read. Still, if you liked this, go read WHAT IF." Read more

"...The chapters were short enough to definitely keep your interest mostly not too technical...." Read more

19 customers mention "Educational value"19 positive0 negative

Customers find the book hilarious and instructive. They say it offers explanations for scenarios. Readers also appreciate the fun and unusual information. In addition, they mention the book is reminiscent of enjoyable learning experiences in Mary Roach's books. They appreciate the solid science behind it that manages to inform and teach without being boring.

"Fun, fun read with solid science behind it that manages to inform and teach without being boring...." Read more

"...It is also instructive and offers explanations for scenarios most of us have wondered about--your elevator cable broke, you were struck by lightning..." Read more

"It's still a great book, don't get me wrong.It's entertaining, informative, and is definitely a good read...." Read more

"...quick read, my tween and teen kids liked it and helped further cultivate interest in science." Read more

6 customers mention "Time value"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well worth the time. They say it's a great read for a long flight and good for a couple of hours of on-and-off reading during downtimes at work.

"...them the most, though I found almost all of the chapters to be well worth the time...." Read more

"...Great book!" Read more

"Was an amusing read. Short, but good for a couple of hours of on and off reading during downtimes at work since you can get through a scenario in a..." Read more

"Great read for a long flight." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

Mordecai25
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining, humorous, and educational, read! Leaves you wanting more!
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2017
Verified Purchase
Fun, fun read with solid science behind it that manages to inform and teach without being boring. The chapters are short, individual "what-ifs" that allow the reader to skip around to the chapters that interest them the most, though I found almost all of the chapters to be well worth the time. The subject matter, of course, is a little morbid but the author is able to lighten the mood with his sarcastic and entertaining wit. I found myself wishing that the book was longer and I would definitely read a follow-up!
5 people found this helpful
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Jenowago
4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2020
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All kinds of interesting “what-ifs,” told in a compelling and conversational style. Good to read all at once or in chapter-sized chunks.
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MinniesMom
5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Glee
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Indeed, this little volume is "gleefully gruesome". It is also instructive and offers explanations for scenarios most of us have wondered about--your elevator cable broke, you were struck by lightning, and my favorite--what if your airplane window popped out. Then there's wildly improbable offerings such as traveling to Jupiter, jumping in a black hole and more. These improbable/impossible scenarios provide fascinating, genuine science laced with humor making for delightful learning experiences. The short chapters will make you smile and even laugh out loud. And Then You're Dead is reminiscent of the enjoyable learning experiences in Mary Roach's books. What a fun way to learn some things you might not have known!
4 people found this helpful
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Thomas Kay
3.0 out of 5 stars WHAT IF'S less cartoons brother
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2017
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It's still a great book, don't get me wrong.
It's entertaining, informative, and is definitely a good read. Still, if you liked this, go read WHAT IF.
One person found this helpful
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Bijou
5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you wanted to know!
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
Verified Purchase
What *does* happen if you haven't slept a wink... for a week? Or take a barrel down Niagara Falls? Or decide to stow away on the space shuttle? Or jump into a black hole? And what is it with the Pringles factory?
These are things we all wonder, right?
Well, read this book and you'll impress all your friends with the science behind most of the craziest ways to die (or not... if you're lucky).
Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty have done their research and come up with some diabolically gruesome stories about some of the people in history who have actually experienced what we really want to know. And they do it with a sardonic sense of humor that sometimes will catch you completely unaware and make you chuckle. I'm loving this book!
One person found this helpful
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Sherry
5.0 out of 5 stars You will like it.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
I did skip through the more "harder to understand" topics like the nuclear stuff but really enjoyed this book. I kept thinking how much my 14 year old grandson would love this.
The chapters were short enough to definitely keep your interest mostly not too technical.
I just kept thinking, " how did they think up these topics? And, oh yes, it is very funny in spots, too.
Loved it! Thanks for the good read!
One person found this helpful
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A reader
4.0 out of 5 stars my tween and teen kids liked it and helped further cultivate interest in science
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
Entertaining quick read, my tween and teen kids liked it and helped further cultivate interest in science.
One person found this helpful
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Frederick S. Goethel
5.0 out of 5 stars Dozens Of Rather Humorous Ways To Die
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Overall, I doubt most people would consider death to be humorous, but this book is loaded with ways to die that are humorous. That said, the vast majority of people would never put themselves into the position to die in the ways described in the book.

Each of the methods of destruction is several pages long and include both the physics and biology of what would happen to a person in that particular scenario. It is written in a lighthearted and humorous way and is simply a fun book to read. It would make an excellent book to read on the beach or on a long flight.
5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Lais Reis
5.0 out of 5 stars Divertido e informativo
Reviewed in Brazil on August 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Livro escrito de maneira extremamente divertida, investigando situações hipotéticas (ou não) de mortes esdrúxulas, detalhando o que aconteceria com o corpo de alguém em uma situação dessas. Leitura simples até para leigos, quem se interessa por biologia e física vai se amarrar.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Darkly fascinating
Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Awesome read, hope there is a second volume with even more scenarios
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Vanessa Allen-johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars A present
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2019
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A present.
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nudelnmitsosse
5.0 out of 5 stars Faszinierendes Buch, auch für Jugendliche!
Reviewed in Germany on September 12, 2017
Verified Purchase
Faszinierendes Buch! - ich konnte es leider noch nicht lesen, da mein 14 Jähriger es mir weggenommen hat. Dafür bekomme ich in regelmäßigen Abständen einzelne Kapitel von ihm erzählt. Er ist begeistert von diesem Buch. Das Thema hat ihn so interessiert, daß er das Buch liest, obwohl es in Englisch ist (mit 4 Jahren Schulenglisch). Einzelne Begriffe schlägt er nach, meistens medizinische Fachbegriffe, ansonsten ist das Buch für ihn wohl sehr gut zu verstehen. Es ist das erste Buch, das er in englischer Sprache freiwillig liest!
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Lukas Dion
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read!
Reviewed in Canada on May 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
Funny and interesting. A good read during a trip
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