Personal Effects by Robert A. Jensen provides a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at catastrophes and the necessary work completed for the dead and their families. Jensen has spent three decades recovering the dead and their personal effects in disasters, from plane crashes to earthquakes. The author owns the world’s leading disaster management company and has worked for the federal government in this capacity. Jensen gives his honest accounts and experiences working behind the scenes to help in the face of calamity and confusion. His writing sometimes seem detached, but it seems compartmentalization would be absolutely necessary in his job.

He takes us through a variety of tragedies and I learned so much from this book. In addition to grueling work and stress of recovering bodies and being a contact point for grieving families, he may have to deal with political ramifications, governments, airline and insurance companies, etc. One thing I found striking was the privilege associated with some victims vs. others. This was especially apparent with the treatment of Haitians vs. ambassadors during the devastating Haiti earthquake of 2010. I really appreciate the care and dignity he and people like him show victims. I listened to the audiobook which was well-narrated by Adam Barr and fit the tone of the book.

Thank you St. Martin's Press / Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing this ebook and audiobook ARC.

This was a biography memoir about Robert A. Jensen and mass death. I wondered what exactly was involved and was blown away. And had no idea that investigations can painstaking often take days, weeks or more.
I had chills listening to much of this and what went behind trying to uncover the destruction of these tragic events. And I commend him for staying in his field a lot longer than many. It sounded like he was an excellent person for the job.
I learned a lot about where I want to sit on a plane and what often can happen during a crash. I learned about the many ways bombs can kill you. Furthermore, how remains and personal effects are handled and received. It was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time. I highly recommend this and really enjoyed it.
I chose to listen to this book on audio and the narrator was good.
Thanks Macmillan Audio via Netgalley.

Jensen owns the world’s largest disaster management company. If you’re like me, you probably never knew such a company existed. His company steps in in the aftermath of plane crashes, terrorist attacks, natural disasters and more, they recover victims, their personal effects and any evidence needed by police, the NTSB or other law enforcement agencies. The work these people do is gruesome, heartbreaking and imperative for grieving families and the agencies trying to find out how this terrible loss of life occurred. A fascinating, terribly sad look into the aftermath of disaster