Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History

Bill Schutt has a rare talent for making a stomach-turning topic feel completely accessible and even educational. I was initially hesitant to pick this up, but the author’s insatiable curiosity is absolutely infectious. He does a brilliant job debunking the myths surrounding the Donner Party, using modern research to show that the reality was much more nuanced than the legends suggest. The discussion on the Eucharist and how we view ritual cannibalism in Christianity was particularly thought-provoking and brave. It is not a gruesome romp, but rather a sophisticated look at how the line between "civilized" and "savage" was often drawn for political reasons. Frankly, I think everyone should read this to understand that cannibalism is actually quite natural in the grand scheme of life.

This book completely reframed how I view 'natural' behavior in the wild and within our own history. Schutt argues that eating one’s own species isn't just a desperate act of starvation, but can be a tool for social order and population control. The stories about Christopher Columbus and how he used cannibalism labels to justify colonization were eye-opening and deeply relevant. I appreciated that the author stayed far away from the typical serial killer tropes that usually plague this topic. The writing is witty, the research is top-notch, and the insights into the animal kingdom are genuinely surprising. I inhaled this book in two sittings and immediately recommended it to all my friends who love a good, dark piece of history.

Wow, who knew I could be so gleefully entertained by a book about species snacking on their own kind? Schutt is a fantastic guide through this taboo subject, and his background as an invertebrate zoologist shines through in the best way possible. I loved learning about the various reasons for cannibalism, from pre-natal survival in sharks to the sacrificial rituals of ancient cultures. The way he weaves together interviews with experts and his own field research makes for a very compelling narrative. It is rare to find a science book that is this funny without losing its intellectual weight. If you aren't afraid of a little dark humor and a lot of biological facts, you should definitely grab a copy.

If you enjoy Mary Roach's quirky approach to science, you will feel right at home with Bill Schutt’s writing style. He takes a subject that most people find repulsive and turns it into a fascinating, conversational journey through biology. I particularly loved the section on the animal kingdom, where he explains how spiders and tadpoles use cannibalism as a viable survival strategy. It is refreshing to read a book that avoids the sensationalism of serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer in favor of actual anthropological data. While some of the medical history about drinking blood or eating powdered mummies was a bit stomach-churning, the dark humor kept me engaged. This is popular science at its best, even if the transition from animals to humans felt a little abrupt in the middle chapters.

Ever wonder why a mother spider might offer herself up as a meal to her offspring? This book dives deep into those uncomfortable questions without ever feeling exploitative or gross. Schutt writes with a light touch that reminds me of Bill Bryson, making complex evolutionary advantages easy to understand for the layperson. I was surprised to learn about the history of "medicinal cannibalism" in Europe, which is a part of history that usually gets glossed over in school. The only part that really made me recoil was the detailed account of placenta eating, but even that was handled with scientific objectivity. It is a well-researched, enlightening piece of non-fiction that manages to be respectful of human life while exploring its more taboo aspects.

Schutt expertly balances a respectful distance from human tragedy with a deep dive into the biological necessity of cannibalism. Picking this up, I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle the subject matter, but the focus is much more on zoology than on horror. The chapters on raptors and their sibling rivalries were particularly fascinating to me as a bird lover. I also found the exploration of how diseases spread through ritual consumption to be a highlight of the text. My only real complaint is that I wanted a bit more on the cultural side of modern tribes, though I understand why the author chose to be delicate. It is a smart, funny, and deeply informative book that handles a difficult subject with grace.

To be fair, I was worried this would be too gruesome to finish, but the author makes the medicine go down easy with plenty of wit and intelligence. This isn't a book about monsters; it’s a book about survival, ritual, and the sometimes strange ways that life persists. I was particularly struck by the discussion on how the stigma of cannibalism has been used as a weapon against indigenous peoples throughout history. Schutt handles these sensitive topics with a level of care that you don't often see in books about 'taboo' subjects. There were a few moments where the technical jargon got a little thick, particularly in the brain disease section, but overall, it was an incredibly satisfying and educational read.

While the subject matter is undeniably gripping, the pacing felt a bit uneven toward the end of the book. I was completely fascinated by the invertebrate zoology bits, especially the slugs that have to chew their own genitals off to escape mating tangles. Schutt clearly knows his stuff and writes with a lot of respect for the victims of history. However, I felt like the chapter on Kuru and other spongiform encephalopathies went on for far too long. To be fair, it is an important part of the science, but it lacked the witty spark found in the earlier sections about the Donner Party. It is a solid read if you are interested in the evolution of behavior, but be prepared for a few dry stretches.

Picked this up on a whim after seeing a review on BookTube and the truth is, it was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On one hand, the author's dark sense of humor is great, and he makes the science of snails and sharks really engaging. On the other hand, some of the chapters felt like they belonged in a textbook rather than a popular science book. I did appreciate the lack of sensationalism, as I’m tired of seeing the same five serial killers discussed over and over again. The stuff about the IT Crowd was a funny little nod, but I think the book could have been trimmed down by about fifty pages. It’s an interesting read for the curious, but it might not be for everyone.

Maybe I am just too used to the sensationalist Netflix documentaries, but I found this a bit too academic for my taste. I went into this expecting a deep dive into the darker side of human nature, but instead, I got a lot of chapters about birds and insects. Schutt is clearly a talented zoologist, and his writing is high-quality, but I just couldn't get into the long-winded explanations of tadpole nutrition. The book tries to be funny, and sometimes it succeeds, but the humor often felt a bit forced when discussing such a heavy topic. If you want a dry, scientific breakdown of why animals eat their young, this is for you. If you wanted something more along the lines of a true crime thriller, look elsewhere.