Amazon.com ReviewIn this comprehensive and entertaining resource, David Macaulay reveals the inner workings of the human body as only he could. In order to present this complicated subject in an accurate and entertaining way, he put in years of research. He sat in on anatomy classes, dissections, and even reached inside the rib cages of two cadavers to compare their spleen sizes. He observed numerous surgeries, including a ten-hour procedure where a diseased pancreas was removed, as well as one where a worn-out old knee was replaced by a brand new one. This hands-on investigation gives Macaulay a unique perspective to lead his readers on a visual journey through the workings of the human body.
The seven sections within the book take us from the cells that form our foundation to the individual systems they build. Each beautifully illustrated spread details different aspects of our complex structure, explaining the function of each and offering up-close glimpses, unique cross-sections and perspectives, and even a little humor along the way. This one-of-a-kind book can serve as a reference for children, families, teachers, and anyone who has questions about how his or her body works. When readers see how David Macaulay builds a body and explains the way it works, they will come away with a new appreciation of the amazing world inside them.
Amazon Exclusive: Macaulay's Sketches for The Way We Work (CLICK on Images to Enlarge)
Explore author-artist David Macaulay's creative imagination at work in this collection of intriguing early sketches for the book. Each drawing--which is rendered in colored pencils-- lays out the story of a different system of the body through surprising shifts of scale, color, texture, the insertion of figures, and other intriguing spatial relationships on the page.
What Others Say
Includes A Lesson in Reproduction
I flipped through The Way We Work today with intentions of buying it for my 7 year old son. He is a huge fan of David Macaulay, and has thoroughly enjoyed The Way Things Work. I did not, however, purchase the book because of the last chapter on reproduction. This will be a great tool for kids who are ready for that particular lesson in life, however my 7 year old is not quite ready. The cross-section sketch of a penis inserted in the vagina as well as the page on the sperm's journey entitled "Winner Takes All!" is just a bit too much information for the younger child. We will be waiting a couple of years before purchasing this beautiful and informative book.
What Went Wrong?
What a disappointment!
The intended audience for The Way We Work--as stated--is 9-12 year old children. No way. The text is incredibly confusing and wanders all over the place. An educated adult would find it hard to follow. It attempts to cover a mother load of topics and in doing so lacks simplicity and understanding. The situation is compounded by the enormity of illustrations (and size) which only tend to confuse, rather than help explain the text.
It's a mess. What happened Mr. Macaulay, I expect better from you?
learn about your body and have a few laughs too
David Macaulay has taken on the "ultimate" construction, the human body, with his usual skill, expertise and humor. This is a book for all ages, to learn about cells, the relationship of one part of the body to another, the way systems work together and depend on each other and the functionality and beauty of this body we know very little about.
THE WAY WE WORK
GREAT AND CREATIVE DRAWINGS. SUPERB WRITING THAT MAKES INTRICATE SYSTEMS VERY UNDERSTANDABLE AND VERY MUCH ALIVE.
David Macaulay has done it again.
This is a great book with accurate information pertaining to the structures of the human body. The illustrations seem to "pop" off the pages, which attract children of all ages. It would be an excellent addition to a classroom library.
