I got this softcover from an online seller. It's a humorous/scientific look at the fatal results of a variety of activities, from slipping on a banana peel (with a discussion of why banana peels have such a low coefficient of friction) to being swarmed by bees to, yes, getting swallowed by a whale. In some cases there are historical accounts showing precisely what can happen; in others the authors speculate, based on various factors. Often there are little editorial quips as to what not to do, or at least why one should put one's affairs in order before, say, trying to barrel over Niagara Falls!

Among the more amusing to me: what would happen if you fell into the machinery of the Pringles potato-chip production line; sacrificed to a volcano (at least it'd probably be quick); or just stayed in bed indefinitely (not quick, and not as pleasant as it might sound on some lazy mornings).

And then there's this one: "What would happen if you were killed by this book?" The authors go into such possibilities as firing the book at you at high speeds, converting its matter into energy (difficult but, if successful, quite devastating) plus a few other options; fun concept, book-as-murder-weapon...

Other books that may be of interest:

Last Breath by Pater Stark, describing fictionalized looks at real-world deaths or near-deaths.

Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs? by Caitlin Doughty, a surprisingly charming look at kids' questions about death.

I left this book in the Little Free Library on this lovely day; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

*** Released for the 2019 You're Such an Animal release challenge. ***