Customer Reviews

Dead Men Do Tell Tales: The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I picked up this book to read because I thought that Dead Reckoning was such a great novel and I was looking for a follow-up novel to read. Boy, was I ever wrong. The author of this novel has SUCH a huge ego, that I couldn't get past his "I'm great and you're not" attitude that it was a struggle to finish this book. While I'm sure there are some great stories of what its like being a forensic anthropologist, it's hard to spend time reading the story when the author is continually bagging about his greatness.

I left reading this book feeling that if I wasn't a forensic anthropologist, then I wasn't worth walking the same earth as this man. Whatever. Pass on this one. There are better real life CSI type books out there.

Given the many positive reviews of this book, I'm really disappointed that I couldn't make it past the introduction. Maples is offensively arrogant, even bragging about capturing countless gorillas in Africa for scientific testing (which had NOTHING to do with the book -- where was the editor? ). Cancel that; probably the editor found it hopeless to deal with the guy. I disliked him so much I simply couldn't read the rest of the book.

I am reading this book for the third time.
Very informative and well written.

i am in the radiology program and one of the other technologists suggested i read this book. i went and bought it and couldnt put it down! a very interesting read!

One of the best books on forensic anthropology yet. Dr. William Maples gave first hand experiences of his "odd" job. He also illustrates what a lab looks like, how to identify a victim, and stories of the original cases that started it all. A fabulous book.

Being from Florida and actually living near Gainesville, I knew a lot about the things he talked about in this book. I found it very interesting and loved the case studies. I read it almost non-stop and did get a lot of strange looks from people around me.

I liked the no-nonesense relationship William Maples had with the dead. Whether he is dispelling myths about worm eaten corpses or explaining the reason for the distinctive smell of death he is both entertaining and informative. I was distressed to hear about his death in 1997 because clearly he is the type of expert that is needed in the field of forensic anthropology, one who knows both the lab work and the courtroom. The best expert in the world is useless in a case if he or she cannot convey their knowledge in a way that a jury will understand.

He also showed an admirable (but at times frustating) concern for the privacy of the dead and their survivors.

This was purchases as a gift, though it arrived late, for one of my dearest and oldest childhood friends. She is very interested in forensic science, and gobbles up what she can read on the subject. She told me how much she enjoyed the book, how imformative it was andhow much she learned. That seems redundant. what little I read of this book before wrapping it seems to indicate William Maples as the leading authority in forensic medecine, until his death in 1997. I keep meaning to ask my girlfiend if I can borrow this book.

I've always been fascinated, as I am now with "death". Not psycho fascinated. More so as if I just want to find out all I can about the scientific explanation for the "after" so to speak. And this book did it for me. I have in my posession the older version of this book with the cover of Dr. Browning on the cover. It is by far the most interesting educational book I've ever read, and answers all my questions on forensics. It made me decide that it just may be what I want to go into as a career. Thanks!!

Already knowing a bit about the subject, I thought this book would be kind of boring.. I was Dead Wrong!.. The book is written with his wonderful sense of humor coming through despite the sometimes horrific details.. Dr. Maple's ability to make you think, and understand from his point of view is amazing.. I only wish I could have been one of his students.. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in anthropology,forensics, real crime, and even the history of the Corpse!