Dead Men Do Tell Tales

The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist

By: William R. Maples PhD, Michael Browning

Narrated by: Stephen Bel Davies

Length: 11 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From a skeleton, a skull, or a mere fragment of burnt thighbone, prominent forensic anthropologist Dr. William Maples can deduce the age, gender, and ethnicity of a murder victim, the manner in which the person was dispatched, and, ultimately, the identity of the killer. In Dead Men Do Tell Tales, Dr. Maples revisits his strangest, most interesting, and most horrific investigations, from the baffling cases of conquistador Francisco Pizarro and Vietnam MIAs to the mysterious deaths of President Zachary Taylor and the family of Czar Nicholas II.

©1994 William R. Maples (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"When he's not shattering myths about maggots, Dr. Maples is delightfully unraveling true murder mysteries, ancient and modern. He's not just another clever forensic detective - he's a poet, a philosopher, and a sly commentator on the fractured human condition, pre- and post-mortem." (Carl Hiaasen, author of Strip Tease)

Interesting listen

I love this perspective of true crime.. I did not find him to be overly complimentary of his work, he just told you what he did and how he did it and well.. it was pretty awesome for the most part.. sad circumstances with a professional finding out what happened.

awesome

I thought it was a great informative book and I am looking forward to hearing another one

I loved it!!!!!

This really encourage me to finish my degrees in forensic anthropology and head straight to Florida University for a PhD!!!!!

Recommended book

The book was written and performed well
Very interesting stories if you enjoy forensics and understanding the science behind it.

Great book!!!

WOW!! This book was recommended by a friend and boy was she right. Excellent.

New Cases, very old attitude

I listen to a lot of true crime biographies, but I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes quite so hard at one.

The stories are interesting, and his description of methods and the evolution of those methods is illuminating, but there is an arrogance in the telling that is almost unbearable. I cannot say for sure whether it is the author's phrasing or the narrator's reading that gives it that attitude -- ultimately, it does not matter. Some of it, I'm sure, is a product of the author's age and long experience. In general though, I don't enjoy having someone look down their nose at me through an audiobook.

That said -- there were a lot of cases in this book that were fascinating and new to me. If you can get past the overweening arrogance, it is an interesting read.

Theee are far better books on the subject

The author is arrogant and the performer amplifies that fact. The writing style makes it a difficult listen.

Absoloutely Fascinating!

This makes me want to try my hand at forensic anthropology!
What better way to bring justice to the world?

I was using this to get a better idea of things for a character in a book I'm writing and I got so much more out of it than I thought.

Very interesting and I appreciate the kind of humor I found here; nothing disrespectful but enough that I wasn't left feeling depressed as hell, which is never fun.

Worth every cent!

I enjoyed this book! Would highly recommend.

I enjoyed this book! Would highly recommend. The stories are very interesting and the writer is wonderful.

Fascinating!

I NEVER tire of learning knowledge and hearing the stories on forensic science. I’m convinced Dr. Maples may be a Psychopath though! Wouldn’t you have to be to endure this professional? DR. Maples is very boastful of his accomplishments and went on long rants about his own greatnesses. It was annoying in the beginning, but the information was so interesting, I’d just roll my eyes and keep listening. 🤷🏼‍♀️😂 He has experienced some pretty intense and unusual cases. I’d probably be proud too. Great listen! Not for the queasy!