Rest in Pieces by Bess Lovejoy

Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses
by Bess Lovejoy [306.9 Lov]

Fascinating and humorous little volume that looks at the physical afterlife of several noteworthy human beings' bodies. If you thought that people could suffer indignations while they were alive -- wait until you've read about what happens to the earthly remains of some of these historical celebrities! Ranging from ancient religious figures (like the Saint Nicholas who inspired the Santa Claus mythology), Thomas Beckett, Voltaire, Moliere and Ludwig Van Beethoven, to such recent figures as Hunter S. Thompson, Timothy Leary, Gram Parsons and Osama Bin Laden, the fates of these folks bodies can be truly crazy. Lovejoy's book covers people in the following categories: Saints and Sinners, Science and Medicine, Sports, Literature and Entetainment, Unsolved Mysteries, Politicians, Collectible Corpses (truly bizarre!), Love and Devotion, and bizarre Last Wishes. Did you know that Einstein's brain was stolen? Did you know Johnny Depp paid to a have a special cannon built to shoot gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson's ashes into the sky? Learn the truth about what really happened to baseball great Ted Williams' head. Find out which parts of Rasputin are buried in which locations. And discover the ultimate fate of the remains of both Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Both engrossing and gross reading at the same time, but filled with curious historical factoids. To be read when you're in a quirky mood! -- recommended by Scott C. - Bennett Martin Public Library [ see Scott's Reviewer Profile ]

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Dead Beat by Marilyn Johnson, and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.]

[ official Rest in Pieces and Bess Lovejoy web site ]

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Read...Discuss...Repeat! -- July -- Stiff

The July selection for BookGuide's Read...Discuss...Repeat! has been posted.

This month's title is the 2003 non-fiction book that shocked readers with the afterlife adventures of the human body -- Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers, by Mary Roach. Filled with wry humor, Stiff explores the many ways that human remains have aided or assisted in historic and scientific explorations.

Stop by the Read...Discuss...Repeat! page on BookGuide for background information about the book, a list of "readalikes", and links to web sites related to the book and author. Then (or now), if you've read the book, stop by and fill out our on-line comment form to share your thoughts and opinions about Stiff!