Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
Helpful Score: 2
Good non-fiction book that reads like a fiction mystery/thriller. Fans of the TV shows CSI and Bones will enjoy this book where each chapter is like a lesson in a different forensic technique or tool (such as DNA, using sonar to search for a body underwater, etc) Yet it's not like a tech manual for scientists, very easy reading.
Denise A. (izzybru) reviewed Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science on + 47 more book reviews
If you like Forensics this is a very good book
Julie T. (gardencrazy) reviewed Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science on + 8 more book reviews
Overall very interesting, I enjoyed reading it. My only complaint was that Mr. Bass quotes someone who was incorrect and didn't go back and check the facts. He quoted someone saying that Texas still used hanging as the death penalty (that stopped in 1924). If he made one glaring error, then what else might also be wrong. I like to read well researched, factual material. Now, I will always doubt his veracity, although I will probably read other books that Mr. Bass has written.
jjares reviewed Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science on + 3413 more book reviews
This book is just as good as Bass' DEATH'S ACRE. Dr. Bass is a genuine storyteller and knows his subject well. My favorite of the enclosed stories is the one about The Big Bopper, who died with Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens in an Iowa cornfield. The son, who was born 2 months after his father's death, wanted to know if The Big Bopper had been shot (a rumor that circulated after the deaths) and if his father could have walked to get help and died while trying. There's an involved story as to why the son thought that might have happened (read the book).
Each of the stories is interesting in its own way. The one about using sonar was unique. I am scratching my head about one thing. The authors told the story of Leoma Patterson in three parts (in this book). I haven't finished the last third but am wondering why the authors wrote the third nonfiction book, IDENTITY CRISIS, which tells the same story?
What I have noticed by looking at the other books mentioned in www.goodreads.com on the same page as the review of this book, is that Emily Craig, one of Dr. Bass's students has written a book. I plan to read it soon. I am impressed that Dr. Bass mentions each of his doctoral candidates by name when talking about ways they have assisted him. I think that is very generous.
Nonfiction
Death's Acre (2003)
** Beyond the Body Farm (2007)
Identity Crisis (2015)
Each of the stories is interesting in its own way. The one about using sonar was unique. I am scratching my head about one thing. The authors told the story of Leoma Patterson in three parts (in this book). I haven't finished the last third but am wondering why the authors wrote the third nonfiction book, IDENTITY CRISIS, which tells the same story?
What I have noticed by looking at the other books mentioned in www.goodreads.com on the same page as the review of this book, is that Emily Craig, one of Dr. Bass's students has written a book. I plan to read it soon. I am impressed that Dr. Bass mentions each of his doctoral candidates by name when talking about ways they have assisted him. I think that is very generous.
Nonfiction
Death's Acre (2003)
** Beyond the Body Farm (2007)
Identity Crisis (2015)
Ruth S. reviewed Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science on + 68 more book reviews
I really liked this book. It was so interesting that it was hard to put down. I was easy to read while being very technical.
Christine D. (krissy95) reviewed Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science on + 23 more book reviews
A nice interesting read.
