The Big Book of Death
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 7/15/2013
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 7/15/2013 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
I've had this hefty softcover for some time now, and I think it's time it went traveling. It's an anthology of graphic-novel-format stories about various aspects of death, from capital punishment to mummification, serial killers to unusual funerals. There's a lot of solid history and science here, despite the often-flip tone of the articles, and the images are... very gruesome indeed, whether depicted realistically or exaggerated for effect.
Many of the entries feature real-life crimes or tragedies, including some of the more notorious murders, suicides (and failed suicide attempts, which should serve as a deterrent to suicide across the board - I'd hope), mercy killings, and more.
Some of the authors have chosen a bright, classroom-documentary style; some go for heavy sarcasm, and others stick to a straightforward description of the topic, leaving the editorializing for the reader.
Among the more informative sections is the one on burial practices, from mummification to cremation to cryonic preservation. (I realize that this last is considered by its practitioners to be a way to preserve a life rather than a method of burial, but I don't hold out any hope for their success.) There's a really delightful "Walking Tour of Highgate Cemetery", which I visited once and loved, so its scenes of monuments appealed to me very much. And "Le Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise" is another entry about a cemetery I've visited - I didn't like the artwork on this one as much as the Highgate entry, but it was still an informative article. Several other cemeteries are included here, and I'd love to visit them all, but the only one I can get to fairly easily is Greenwood in New York. Hmmm... perhaps a road trip is in order...
There are items on the origins of the myths about zombies and vampires, and some dealing with possible afterlives, near-death experiences, and more.
Many of the entries feature real-life crimes or tragedies, including some of the more notorious murders, suicides (and failed suicide attempts, which should serve as a deterrent to suicide across the board - I'd hope), mercy killings, and more.
Some of the authors have chosen a bright, classroom-documentary style; some go for heavy sarcasm, and others stick to a straightforward description of the topic, leaving the editorializing for the reader.
Among the more informative sections is the one on burial practices, from mummification to cremation to cryonic preservation. (I realize that this last is considered by its practitioners to be a way to preserve a life rather than a method of burial, but I don't hold out any hope for their success.) There's a really delightful "Walking Tour of Highgate Cemetery", which I visited once and loved, so its scenes of monuments appealed to me very much. And "Le Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise" is another entry about a cemetery I've visited - I didn't like the artwork on this one as much as the Highgate entry, but it was still an informative article. Several other cemeteries are included here, and I'd love to visit them all, but the only one I can get to fairly easily is Greenwood in New York. Hmmm... perhaps a road trip is in order...
There are items on the origins of the myths about zombies and vampires, and some dealing with possible afterlives, near-death experiences, and more.
Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at Connors Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, October 28, 2014
GoryDetails at Connors Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Released 9 yrs ago (10/28/2014 UTC) at Connors Farm in Danvers, Massachusetts USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book, bagged against the elements, next to a delightfully haunted hearse - complete with coffin, bones, and head-in-a-jar - in the parking lot at Connors Farm at around 3 or so; hope the finder enjoys it! *** Released for BookCrossing World Cup challenge, for Team New (a new release location). ***
*** Released for the 2014 Spook-tacular Halloween Challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2014 TICK TOCK release challenge. ***
