- Paperback: 244 pages
- Publisher: Citadel Press (Dec 1996)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0806515996
- ISBN-13: 978-0806515991
- Product Dimensions: 20.8 x 13.7 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,498,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Synopsis
Describes the surprising and often humorous things that have happened to the dead bodies and body parts of historical figures.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Murphy, the obviously gifted writer, has served up not only a keenly enjoyable and witty book, but one on an entirely new topic: The incredible adventures of celebrity corpses.
Not just where they are buried or how they died, but the weird odesseys of bodies, body parts and ashes left to the tender mercies of those still living. How about the concubine who was dug up and crowned queen of Portugal five years after death; or Lord Cromwell of England, also dug up but for a very different reason...to be hung, drawn and quartered; then his head became a souvenir for nine generations. Or Einstein's brain, lost for 23 years after the autopsy. The subjects are handled in a lighthearted but very well researched and wry manner. The book is a treat.
Not just where they are buried or how they died, but the weird odesseys of bodies, body parts and ashes left to the tender mercies of those still living. How about the concubine who was dug up and crowned queen of Portugal five years after death; or Lord Cromwell of England, also dug up but for a very different reason...to be hung, drawn and quartered; then his head became a souvenir for nine generations. Or Einstein's brain, lost for 23 years after the autopsy. The subjects are handled in a lighthearted but very well researched and wry manner. The book is a treat.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Funny, witty learned, and unique: a real find, a real treat
9 April 1997
Format:Paperback
Murphy, the obviously gifted writer, has served up not only a keenly enjoyable and witty book, but one on an entirely new topic: The incredible adventures of celebrity corpses.
Not just where they are buried or how they died, but the weird odesseys of bodies, body parts and ashes left to the tender mercies of those still living. How about the concubine who was dug up and crowned queen of Portugal five years after death; or Lord Cromwell of England, also dug up but for a very different reason...to be hung, drawn and quartered; then his head became a souvenir for nine generations. Or Einstein's brain, lost for 23 years after the autopsy. The subjects are handled in a lighthearted but very well researched and wry manner. The book is a treat.
Not just where they are buried or how they died, but the weird odesseys of bodies, body parts and ashes left to the tender mercies of those still living. How about the concubine who was dug up and crowned queen of Portugal five years after death; or Lord Cromwell of England, also dug up but for a very different reason...to be hung, drawn and quartered; then his head became a souvenir for nine generations. Or Einstein's brain, lost for 23 years after the autopsy. The subjects are handled in a lighthearted but very well researched and wry manner. The book is a treat.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Unique Book
20 Sep 2001
Format:Paperback
This is one of the most unique books I have ever read. It is informative, interesting, amusing, and well written. You would have trouble beliving some of the fantastic "posthomous adventures famous corpses" that the author meticulously recounts, except that he provides a full bibliography so you can check the facts yourself. How about the Portugese lady who was exhumed five years after death to be crowned queen. Or Oliver Cromwell, who was exhumed from Westminister Abbey to be executed for treason (hung, then decapitated) and whose severed head became a museum exhibit and prop for lectures on phrenology. Or Daniel Boone, whose neglected body was hijacked from Missouri as part of a plan to promote a new cemetery in Kentucky? Mr. Murphy has apparently invented a new literary category that he calls "Necrobiography," of which his book is the only example so far. I can't wait for the sequel which he promises, especially if it is as enjoyable as the original. I heartily recommend this book. It is not morbid or sensational in the least, but holds your interest(tastefully illustrated too).
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Rest in peace, if you can.
29 July 2003
Format:Paperback
Just exactly what does happen to a corpse after the funeral? Well, for the most part the remains are allowed to rest in peace, but not always. Exhumations are not all that uncommon. Whether it be for law enforcement purposes, DNA testing, or just simply because the next of kin have decided to move the body to another cemetery. Generally it is pretty mundane stuff. However, if the corpse just happens to be the remains of a famous person, then things can sometimes get interesting.
The next question that would occur to most people is; why would anyone want to move around a dead body or any part thereof? That is what this book is all about. Each of the corpses covered in this book has a completely separate entry to avoid confusion. Each of those entries starts with a brief history of the deceased's life so that if the reader is not familiar with Lord Byron for example they are given a little information to start off with. Usually within this short biography one finds the reason for the posthumous travels of their body, or the above mentioned parts thereof. The reasons range from a somewhat warped but deep love or admiration, to politics, to obsessive hate, to tourism and even practical jokes. The adventurous bodies in this book run the gambit from Oliver Cromwell to Thomas Paine and from Voltaire to Sitting Bull. In short, the subject is fascinating.
Edwin Murphy writes in a clear manner and with a witty style. I found a few historical errors but all in all, this book seems to be very well researched. Also, when there are conflicting stories he presents both tales. For example, was it director Raoul Walsh or Peter Lorre who put the corpse of John Barrymore in Errol Flynn's living room? Just that question alone should make most people want to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed my evenings with this book and I think you will too.
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