The Poisoner Handbook Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Penguin Books Books
Download As PDF : The Poisoner Handbook Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Penguin Books Books
_feature_div" class="feature" data-feature-name="bookDescription">
The Poisoner Handbook Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Penguin Books Books
If you expect a dense scientific text or will be disappointed that some of the cases are accidental deaths and not murder, don't read. However, if like me you enjoy a bit of history, a bit of science, a lot of morbid investigation, and the triumphant underdog story of two luminary forensic examiners against the backdrop of Prohibition, the book is fascinating and morbidly fun.The title "Poisoner's Handbook" belies the book's true focus, the two amazing men at the center of each of the public histories of the poisons Blum writes about: chloroform, arsenic, cyanide, mercury, carbon monoxide, radium, ethyl and methyl alcohols, and thallium.
Charles Norris, first Chief Medical Examiner of NYC, and his chief toxicologist, Alexander Gettler were, according to Blum, almost solely responsible for modernizing forensic science in the United States. Before Norris' appointment, the office of coroner required no medical training, and death certificates were often incomplete or falsified for bribes if they were filled out at all. Norris and Gettler spent their careers making forensics a rigorous study, and as if that weren't enough, were hugely influential crusaders for regulation of toxic substances, and for the repeal of Prohibition, which engendered a slew of deadly bootleg concoctions, including the industrial wood grain alcohol that the government endeavored to make more poisonous than it already was, knowing that it would be imbibed by prohibition breakers.
Although the writing was snappy and fast-faced, Blum had little work to do to create drama; Norris and Gettler's heroic efforts to identify the effects of these poisons on the body in many cases for the very first time, and the huge failure that was the Prohibition largely did her work for her. I was riveted. I'm not sure why there isn't yet a forensic TV drama about the two men and the poisons they studied.
Product details
|
Tags : The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York [Penguin Books] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.,Penguin Books,The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York,Blum, Deborah,B005DH7XAK
People also read other books :
- War Law Understanding International Law and Armed Conflict (0889290399090) Michael Byers, Peter Johnson Books
- The Escort's Surprise (An Erotic Romance) - edition by Lili Detlev. Literature & Fiction eBooks @ .
- Be, Do, Have A Spiritual Journey to Success Norman Cantor 9781494486167 Books
- The Glass of Water How far would you go to refresh your leader? (9781482351316) Andy Elmes Books
- Avenging Angel - edition by Tara Janzen. Romance eBooks @ .
The Poisoner Handbook Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Penguin Books Books Reviews
I thought this book read like a novel. I had bought it as a reference, and have used it as such, but read it from cover to cover. I've noted there are critiques that say some of the science is incorrect, so I suppose I'd check before I used a specific point in your own novel. I would not let the criticism deter you from buying it. The discussion of alcohol poisoning during Prohibition is enough reason to read this. I don't mention my own books in a review of others,' but in this case it's a compliment to Ms. Blum. Her Prohibition discussion helped me a lot as I wrote Rekindling Motives. Rekindling Motives (Jolie Gentil Cozy Mystery Series Book 2) I recommend this book for anyone who wants a broad overview of the topic.
I absolutely loved this book. It is a highly readable account of the rise of forensic medicine and toxicology in the United States, focusing on the Bellevue lab in New York City. The book talks about a number of homicides (or, in some cases, accidents that were believed to be homicides) that resulted from poisonous chemicals. There are chapters on arsenic, cyanide, carbon monoxide, radium, thallium, etc. Some of the compounds that the author discusses were known to be poisons (like arsenic and cyanide, for example), whereas some were new compounds, discovered in the first third of the twentieth century, that were not discovered to be poisonous until ill effects were reported.
The book is not just about crime or homicidal maniacs who use poison as their weapon of choice. It is also about changing technologies, corporate greed, and egregious misuse of chemical compounds that borders on being comical to the modern reader. (Radium health tonics. Blearghhh.)
The book is well written (the crisp, non-academic writing is very refreshing - unlike the radium health tonics) and does not get overly bogged down in scientific terms. The author provides enough medical and scientific background to be relevant, but she presents it in layman's terms. I love reading about the periodic table, but since I am not a scientist, I find that sometimes I get lost when there is too much detail. That is not the case here. I highly recommend this book.
The Poisoner’s Handbook is a captivating blend of 1920’s crime stories and the chemistry that made it all possible.
Blum’s book is easy to read (though it assumes an intelligent reader), the chemistry is never overwhelming, and the two gentlemen that she chose to follow throughout the chemical boom of the Roaring 20’s led fascinating jobs filled with mystery, murder, death, ground brains and Bunsen burners. And at under 300 pages, it is just the right length.
I often use non-fiction books such as this to cleanse my palate (as it were) if I’ve had a bit too much fantasy and SciFi. This book did the trick.
Also, reading the anecdotes in this book makes me want to quit my job and write murder mysteries because there are just so many sneaky ways of killing people! Fortunately, all y’all are safe - I very nearly failed junior Chemistry in high school, and sometimes, even measuring out teaspoons of coffee grounds in too much chemistry for me. I guess I’ll need to hire an evil genius assistant...
I am a retired physician but I knew very little about the history and science that this book explores. This book is easy and very interesting to read. It is a layman’s guide to the politics, early science, and history of forensic medicine and a great tribute to those whose intelligence and hard work lead us to where we are today. The reader will enjoy the many human interest cases discussed that give the book a fascinating personal touch. This book is for those who like science, history and page turning nonfiction.
If you expect a dense scientific text or will be disappointed that some of the cases are accidental deaths and not murder, don't read. However, if like me you enjoy a bit of history, a bit of science, a lot of morbid investigation, and the triumphant underdog story of two luminary forensic examiners against the backdrop of Prohibition, the book is fascinating and morbidly fun.
The title "Poisoner's Handbook" belies the book's true focus, the two amazing men at the center of each of the public histories of the poisons Blum writes about chloroform, arsenic, cyanide, mercury, carbon monoxide, radium, ethyl and methyl alcohols, and thallium.
Charles Norris, first Chief Medical Examiner of NYC, and his chief toxicologist, Alexander Gettler were, according to Blum, almost solely responsible for modernizing forensic science in the United States. Before Norris' appointment, the office of coroner required no medical training, and death certificates were often incomplete or falsified for bribes if they were filled out at all. Norris and Gettler spent their careers making forensics a rigorous study, and as if that weren't enough, were hugely influential crusaders for regulation of toxic substances, and for the repeal of Prohibition, which engendered a slew of deadly bootleg concoctions, including the industrial wood grain alcohol that the government endeavored to make more poisonous than it already was, knowing that it would be imbibed by prohibition breakers.
Although the writing was snappy and fast-faced, Blum had little work to do to create drama; Norris and Gettler's heroic efforts to identify the effects of these poisons on the body in many cases for the very first time, and the huge failure that was the Prohibition largely did her work for her. I was riveted. I'm not sure why there isn't yet a forensic TV drama about the two men and the poisons they studied.
0 Response to "⋙ Libro Gratis The Poisoner Handbook Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York Penguin Books Books"
Post a Comment