The only thing better than reading this book was having it read by the author!
I was enchanted by the author's wit and fascinated by her pronunciations of anatomical words in an accent not Midwest American. OK, so that was the frosting on this very informative cake. This informal collection of lectures was perfect for this granny of a nurse with a fascination for the development of forensics/forensic anthropology and an interest in the pursuit of justice. This book kept me company all day because I just didn't want to stop!
I requested and received a free temporary audio copy from Dreamscape Media via NetGalley. Thank you!

“Sometimes, a bone is just a coconut” - From Written in Bone

3 stars

Warnings: graphic description of violence to adults and children, rape

If you like true crime stuff, this book is probably for you. Also if you are choosing between which Black Book (between this and All that remains) to read--choose this one. The format is much better, and more relevant to what I think most readers are looking for. I still am struggling with the detached tone she uses to desribe everything (and this may be made worse by the audio book, as you can't misinterperate her tone). No warnings are made before she dives into the subject, though maybe most people know what they are getting into. Also there is almost a relish in descibing most of the time the horrible thing that happened to the person, that is really unsettling. Including her description of the crime done to her. I just wish there was more empathy, or human emotion included in these cases- not each case laid out in that fashion. Outdated terms for sex workers add a further bitter taste, along with her stating she hasn't been the victim of gender discrimination in the field- then goes on to describe a time where in fact she was discriminated for being a woman. That sort of blind (inaccurate) statement doesn't help combat gender bias in this, and other, scientific fields. I think at one point she 3D printed a bone brocken from a hanging and gave it out to several people, seemingly like a party favor- it was seriously offputting; but I unfortunately can't find this again to verify exactly what was described.

Maybe it is because my focus was cultural anthropology, but to me this reads less like a work by an anthropologist, and more like a pathologist or coroner. I'm always surprised at how much "true crime" vibe comes off in Black's books.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was okay. If you already have some knowledge of forensic anthropology, then I would recommend it. I just didn't like the info-dump writing.

I love books like this. I work in pathology and cut and stain human tissue. I’m always amazed by what a pathologist can determine, especially from a autopsy.
This was a down right deep look at bones and what they can tell us. Sue Black is a forensic anthropologists and she explains what happens to our bones during the course of a human life span and what can be determine by it. She thinks our life experiences are written in our bones. Stating that they’re many questions to ask. What’s the sex? Did they bear children? Is there arthritis? Are they left or right handed? And so much more. These can be answered from bones alone. Isn’t that amazing? I think so.
The book starts from the head and works its way down. She will discuss some disturbing crimes to show how she determined her findings. I found all of it done well. I listened to this as an audiobook and the author narrated it. She did a wonderful job.
Things I found fascinating:
• The inner bones of an ear
• Face transplant
• DNA hair and eye color
• Waterloo dentures
• Importance of the clavicle bone
• Stone babies
• Making a big toe a thumb
• Lotus feet
I highly recommend this and hope you give it a try.
Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.

Anthropologist and anatomist Sue Black explains to readers how the stories of our lives live on after us in our skeletal remains. From the moment of conception to our final breaths, Black explains how we leave behind our mark on our very bones