This is the sort of story that drew me to military science – the quiet, esoteric battles with less considered adversaries: exhaustion, shock, bacteria, panic, ducks … I’m interested in the parts [of military service] no-one makes movies about – not the killing but the keeping alive. Even if what people are being kept alive for is fighting and taking other lives. Let’s not let that get in the way.”
-- Mary Roach (“By Way of Introduction”)

Importance: This quote from the introduction introduces several key elements: an explanation of the author's core perspective and interest in both the subject and the style of her explorations, the overall focus of the book (i.e. aspects of the relationship between science and the military that most people don't think about), and the author's signature style. This is most evident in the last pair of sentences - specifically, in the slightly pointed, slightly sardonic tone in which she references the idea...