I don't write on topics that require a lot of urgency. But in 'Stiff,' I wanted to change people's hearts about organ donation. Whenever I get a chance, I try to talk about that.

It's this mood, these sentiments - the excitement of exploration and the surprises and delights of travel to foreign locales - that I hope to inspire with this book.

Yes, the money could be better spent on Earth. But would it? Since when has money saved by government redlining been spent on education and cancer research? It is always squandered. Let's squander some on Mars. Let's go out and play.

Every mode of travel has its signature mental aberration.

Wisdom comes with age, but keep it to yourself.

Many people will find this book disrespectful. There is nothing amusing about being dead, they will say. Ah, but there is.

I began thinking about my skeleton, this solid, beautiful thing inside me that I would never see.