Read this: Stiff

This is one strange, but funny, book. About cadavers.
Mary Roach has researched just about everything you would want to know about the human body after its owner has no further use for it. Transplants. Medical research. Cannibalism. Vehicle safety tests, airplane crash investigations and ancient cures that used body parts (and fluids). It's science, anatomy and anthropology, all told with a respectful smirk.
On embalming she writes:
Blanchard's textbook describes opening up an artery, flushing the blood out with water and pumping in alcohol. I've been to frat parties like that.
It's not a subject for everyone, but if you like science and aren't too squeamish, this is an entertaining read.