All the Living and the Dead

From Embalmers to Executioners, an Exploration of the People Who Have Made Death Their Life's Work

By: Hayley Campbell

Narrated by: Hayley Campbell

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

"Journalist Hayley Campbell explores the often hidden world of those who work closely with death, finding compassion in unexpected settings. Campbell’s British accent and matter-of-fact delivery take the listener on a tour of mortuaries, postmortem experimentation, death-mask artistry, crime-scene cleaning, and executions, among others. Her morbid fascination is evident in her tone as she sheds light on curiosities surrounding a subject that is foreign to many people. Ultimately, Campbell calls for a closer relationship to death, less mystery surrounding this universal passage, and a reduction of fear through greater understanding." - AudioFile on All the Living and the Dead

"Campbell is a probing investigator whose tone is always even, quietly emphasizing that death is the most natural thing in the world." - Bookpage

This audiobook is read by the author.

A deeply compelling exploration of the death industry and the people—morticians, detectives, crime scene cleaners, embalmers, executioners—who work in it and what led them there.

We are surrounded by death. It is in our news, our nursery rhymes, our true-crime podcasts. Yet from a young age, we are told that death is something to be feared. How are we supposed to know what we’re so afraid of, when we are never given the chance to look?

Fueled by a childhood fascination with death, journalist Hayley Campbell searches for answers in the people who make a living by working with the dead. Along the way, she encounters mass fatality investigators, embalmers, and a former executioner who is responsible for ending sixty-two lives. She meets gravediggers who have already dug their own graves, visits a cryonics facility in Michigan, goes for late-night Chinese with a homicide detective, and questions a man whose job it is to make crime scenes disappear.

Through Campbell’s incisive and candid interviews with these people who see death every day, she asks: Why would someone choose this kind of life? Does it change you as a person? And are we missing something vital by letting death remain hidden? A dazzling work of cultural criticism, All the Living and the Dead weaves together reportage with memoir, history, and philosophy, to offer listeners a fascinating look into the psychology of Western death.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press.

©2022 Hayley Campbell (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

So Interesting

This was a fascinating book and I enjoyed every bit of it. That feels strange to say, but hopefully you know what I mean. It was informational, educational, and personal - all in the right amount. Ms. Campbell went above and beyond with her research and gives us a glimpse into the lives of people who care for our loved ones after they have died. Now that I’ve read this book, I agree that “death workers” definitely do not get the recognition they deserve and I will be sure to acknowledge them in my future experiences.

Amazing & unexpected

I have read books before about the experiences of those who work with the dead, but I’ve never seen as raw a confession & as sincere a plea for us to respect and remember those who tend to our loved ones.

Aspects of death all should know…

I realize death is not a topic some like to discuss but I found the book fascinating. Great approach to learning more about the options and realities of burials (of many means) and those who fulfill that role. Kudos to those who care for the dead professionally and compassionately.

Macabre

This author describes her experiences so well I could see & smell everything. I felt as though I was right beside her through all of her experiences. This book is not what I thought it was going to be. However, it was very well done. This is not for the feint of heart.

Perfect for Anyone with a Curiosity about Death

The narration is very engaging. I haven't had much exposure to death, as is rather common in modern Western society. This book relays the perspectives and stories of people working in various arms of the death industry, how they care for the dead and the grieving, why they chose their profession, what motivates them to continue.

It also explores how the job affects them psychologically. They share their perspectives on death, and how their jobs have affected their personal post mortem wishes.

There are portions that are difficult to listen to, but they are included for a reason. Be warned that not all dead discussed in this book are adults.

Excellently written and extremely deep

There’s little that’s wrong with this book. It left me wanting for more. It is a hard listen emotionally quite often, so approach with care. And a necessary listen-more than we ever want to accept.

A worthwhile read.

I loved it!
A matter of fact look at death and an in-depth, appreciative look at death workers, in their many forms. this book feed my curiosity is so many ways.

Thank You Hayley Campbell

I just want to express my appreciation for the author sharing her work with the world. Her extensive, hard work on a terrifying subject for most of us. One of the best books I’ve ever listened to. I bought the hard cover book too … to use as a reference guide to learn more about some subjects that I never thought about before, such as the Kenyon company. And death masks. Fascinating information. Useful knowledge.

An exceptional listen

As someone who has always been interested in death and thought of it often, this book was not only familiar but also offered perspectives I’ve never considered. I enjoyed how it was read and presented. Would highly recommend.

Beautifully written

Very much enjoyed this title, cannot wait to listen to more from the author. Compelling, pushing the limit of human experience and raw.