Death to Dust: What Happens to Dead Bodies? - Hardcover

Iserson, Kenneth V.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1883620228 ISBN 13: 9781883620226

Publisher: Galen Pr Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

Iserson's frank, accessible description of what happens to bodies after they die is full of facts, history, quotations, and statistics that provide the reader with an inkling of the complex history of burial, the mores of other cultures, the development of current funeral practices in the U.S., and the impact on the environment of burial in the face of growing population. Iserson hopes, after reading his book, his readers will donate their organs and tissues; forms are provided at the back of the book. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Review:

Probably the most complete recent book on the physical and cultural aspects of death. Covers everything from embalming, cremation, cryogenics, autopsies, organ donation, anatomical dissection, burials, funerals, decay, cannibalism, body snatching, use of corpses in secret rituals and religious ceremonies. This book sheds light on a subject that our society conveniently buries--literally and figuratively. As the author argues, the topic of death is treated with even more circumspection than pornography.

Review:

"We find Death to Dust both fascinating and informative . . . It has something for everyone . . . and makes an unusual gift." -- Journal of the American Medical Association, October 10, 2001, Vol. 286, No. 14, pp. 1767-8, Joseph H. Davis, M.D.

About this edition

• Publisher: Galen Pr Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1883620228
• ISBN 13: 9781883620226
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 821