Death's Acre

Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab The Body Farm Where the Dead Do Tell Tales

By: Dr. Bill Bass, Jon Jefferson

Narrated by: George Grizzard

Length: 6 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

Nowhere is there another lab like Dr. Bill Bass's: on a hillside in Tennessee, human bodies decompose in the open air, aided by insects, bacteria and birds, unhindered by coffins or mausoleums. At the "Body Farm," nature takes its course, with corpses buried in shallow graves, submerged in water, concealed beneath slabs of concrete, locked in trunks of cars. As stand-ins for murder victims, they serve the needs of science, and the cause of justice.

For thirty years, Dr. Bass's research has revolutionized the field of forensic science, particularly by pinpointing "time since death" in murder cases. In this riveting audiobook, he investigates real cases and leads listeners on an unprecedented journey behind the locked gates of the Body Farm. A master scientist and an engaging storyteller, Bass shares his most intriguing work: his revisit of the Lindbergh kidnapping and murder, fifty years after the fact; the mystery of a headless corpse whose identity astonished the police; the telltale bugs that finally sent a murderous grandfather to death row; and many more.

Forensic science and murder investigations are among the most fascinating topics of our time. Dominating television and print media, the subjects could not be hotter. As one of the world's leading forensic anthropologists, Dr. Bill Bass is the premier guide to this unusual realm.

Includes a forward written by Patricia Cornwell.

©2003 Dr. Bill Bass and Jon Jefferson (P)2003 Simon & Schuster Inc. All Rights Reserved. Audioworks Is An Imprint Of Simon & Schuster, Audio Division, Simon & Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

"Bass, writing with journalist Jefferson, proves to be a witty storyteller with a welcome sense of humor." (Publishers Weekly)

Promising but falls just shy of delivering

Expecting discussions about this facinating facility where bodies are left to decompose for the purpose of study - I was left wanting. What I heard was more or less the life of Dr. Bill Bass, his life and research. Don't get me wrong. I found his story to be intriguing and inspiring. He has taken forensic research to a different level, tackling a subject matter that would leave you with horrible visions. What I was hoping for was a book detailing the studies conducted at anthropological institute. Details of how the research is done, studies and results.

It is not a bad book by any means. Hearing about the challenges he faced both in his work and life validates his humanity. I would recommend this book for those wanting to learn about who this man is and his visions rather than those looking to hear fine details about the facility.

Written by the founder of UT's "body farm"

Absolutely fascinating. I enjoyed this book as much for its science of insects and decay rates as for its case studies. I will definitely read Dr. Bass's newer book, as "Death's Acre" has left me wanting more. For whatever reason, "Death's Acre" was--for me--a much better book than "Working Stiff," the latter of which I read a month or so ago.

Excellent story for a macbre subject

If you're feeling squeamish about this book from the description of its contents, that is understandable. However, don't immediately dismiss it from your reading list. This book was well written and suprising engaging for such a macbre subject. If you have an interest in forensics this book would be an excellent read.

Loved it!

One of my favorite audio books so far. I also loved his other book, Beyond the BodyFarm!

Awesome.

Loved it. Easy on the ears. A must read. Will be listening again to this one.

good listen

Some odd pauses of silence here and there but otherwise but otherwise a good listen

Loving the dead

My only regret about this listen is that it was an abridged version. I loved this account about the "birth" of forensic anthropology. Well told tale of an interesting life and the origins of the Body Farm.

Death's Acre

I really enjoyed this book. I am from the Knoxville area originally and most of the crimes he discussed were familiar to me. It was very interesting to hear how he helped to solve them. I think Dr. Bass is a terrific storyteller and the book kept my interest. It takes you a step further than CSI and gives you a lot of background on how time of death is determined, etc. Highly recommended if you are at all interested in the topic of forensics.

Great But Repetitive At Beginning

No reason to have explained how age and gender are determined so many times. Loved the stories.

Buy it now!

This is so well written and absolutely fascinating. Bill Bass is a treasure among us mere mortals.