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

Cody Cassidy and Paul Doherty, PhD
May 20, 2019

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you jumped into a black hole? Or maybe you're curious about what would happen if you traveled to another planet, like Jupiter or Venus? Could this book kill you while you're reading it and, if so, how? And Then You're Dead examines these and dozens of other scenarios to offer a scientific explanation for how you would meet your demise in these unlikely and unlucky ways.

Yes, on the surface this book sounds depressing. The authors bring a dry sense of humor to each scenario that effectively balances out the cringe effect of rather gory descriptions. The humor alone made me laugh out loud more than any book in recent memory. It also made me incredibly annoying to be around because I was constantly trying to get people near me to read the parts I found funny. The science behind their explanations is fascinating though, even if I didn't understand all of it, I could keep up. Some of the situations described have actually happened and those stories add another layer of explanation and fear to the scenario.

So if you would like to know how you would fare if you lived in a nuclear winter (not well) or if you were the ant under a magnifying glass, this is the book for you. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys speculating the outcome of unlikely situations, has an over-active imagination, and people who just like to read humorous books.

Reviewed by Library Staff