The Curious Human Knee
Exploring the significance of a humble joint in human life
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Columbia University Press
Published:7th Jan '25
£17.99
Supplier delay - available to order, but may take longer than usual.
This book offers a captivating exploration of the human knee's importance in science, culture, and history, revealing its profound impact on our lives.
In The Curious Human Knee, science writer Han Yu takes readers on an enlightening journey through the often-overlooked significance of the knee joint. With a blend of engaging storytelling and accessible research, she explores the knee's pivotal role in our evolution, culture, and health. From our early ancestors who walked upright to the complexities of modern knee injuries, Yu emphasizes how this humble joint has shaped human experience in profound ways.
The narrative delves into the intricate anatomy of the knee and the evolutionary journey that has led to its current form. Yu discusses the unique challenges faced by women regarding knee health and the influence of race and class on conditions like osteoarthritis. By weaving personal anecdotes and scientific insights, she brings to light the multifaceted nature of knee-related issues, making them relatable and understandable to a broad audience.
Additionally, The Curious Human Knee touches on cultural practices and historical contexts, examining everything from fashion trends to the symbolism of kneeling in various societies. Yu's exploration reveals how the knee is not just a biological structure but a significant player in social and political realms. This book is an eye-opening read that highlights the importance of the knee in ways many may never have considered, encouraging readers to appreciate this critical joint in a new light.
Han Yu provides an engaging and accessible meditation on the human knee—its evolution, its structure, its function, its pathologies, its weaknesses, as well as its roles in society and fashion, the feminist and equality movements, and aggression. Who knew there were so many ways to view the human knee? -- Ian Tattersall, curator emeritus, American Museum of Natural History
Walking will never be the same. Kudos to Han Yu for exploring the functional development, frailties, and cultural impacts of this seemingly simple hinge joint. In a conversational tone, she bridges topics as disparate as women’s fashions, martial arts, therapeutic heat, and police tactics. Wonderful stories, personal anecdotes, and summaries of scientific investigations combine to provide the reader with openings for many stimulating dinnertime conversations. Who knew that flapper girls applied rouge to their knees to attract further attention? -- Roy A. Meals, MD, orthopedic surgeon and author of Bones, Inside and Out
As fun and entertaining as it is erudite and well-researched, this book is a very comprehensive look at an overlooked part of our anatomy, warts and all. -- Nathan H. Lents, author of Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes
In this enlightening blend of science and cultural history, Yu (Mind Thief), an English professor at Kansas State University, considers the evolution and physiology of the human knee, as well as its role in fashion and customs. Yu excels at identifying colorful material on an ostensibly mundane subject, and lay readers will appreciate the accessible prose. This makes for an animated and wide-ranging exploration of an unassuming body part. * Publishers Weekly *
Highly recommended. * Choice Reviews *
Highly recommended. * American Library Association (ALA) *
- Winner of Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2023
- Commended for Nonfiction Book Awards 2024
ISBN: 9780231219136
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
296 pages