A History of Ireland in Ten Body Parts

Book excerpt: Skulls, height, hands, legs, sex organs, blood, brains, stomachs, ears and corpses – discover Irish history anew through the utterly unique prism of the human body. From the brutal beheading of the red-headed Clonycavan Man some 2,000 years ago to the ancient skulls – believed to be those of giants – stolen from islands off Ireland's west coast, medical historian Dr Ian Miller brings readers on a delightfully gruesome journey through our rich heritage. Learn about the fears of excessive tea drinking that were once such a great cause for concern on this isle – scarcely believable! Meet the doctors who revolutionised Irish medicine in the 19th century – along with the deplorable bodysnatching that accompanied this progress. Fact and folklore intertwine seamlessly throughout, providing the reader with an endlessly fascinating account of matters historical and mythological.