Breasts. They are really important. In fact, they are more important than you think. We are "mammals" because of them. Breasts (mammaries) and the ability to give milk to our young is what sets us apart from the rest of the Animal Kingdom. And even though they are incredibly crucial to human life as we know it, as author Florence Williams points out, they are misunderstood.
Are breasts for men? Are they for babies? What's their purpose? Why are human breasts so big and pendulous? Williams explores the neglected science of breasts. How they function, how ours compare with other animals, how women use them to breastfeed and how they can make us sick.
I was instantly drawn to this book from watching the book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0kVuYZ4PvM However, I felt a bit misled. The book is not humorous nor does it give a lot of social or historical context. It's primarily focused on science. Which would have been fine and I blame the publisher for marketing it as something it is not.
The book is very eye-opening and enlightening and I enjoyed Williams' writing style. It did, as a woman, scare me as to what the future of my health will be with my breasts.
My full review can be found here: http://quellebooks.blogspot.com/2012/08/breasts-by-florence-williams.html