Written in Bone

Hidden Stories in What We Leave Behind

By: Sue Black

Narrated by: Sue Black

In her memoir All That Remains, internationally renowned forensic anthropologist and human anatomist Dame Sue Black recounted her life lived eye to eye with the Grim Reaper. During the course of it, she offered a primer on the basics of identifying human remains, plenty of insights into the fascinating processes of death, and a sober, compassionate understanding of its inescapable presence in our existence, all leavened with her wicked sense of humor. Now in this book, Black builds on that memoir, taking us on a guided tour of the human skeleton and explaining how each person's life history is revealed in their bones, which she calls "the last sentinels of our mortal life to bear witness to the way we lived it".

Her narrative follows the skeleton from the top of the skull to the small bones in the foot. Each step of the journey includes an explanation of the biology - how the bone is formed in a person's development, how it changes as we age, the secrets it may hold - and is illustrated with anecdotes from the author's career helping solve crimes and identifying human remains, whether recent or historical. Full of entertaining stories that appear like scenes from a true-life CSI drama, Written in Bone is infused with humor and no-nonsense practicality about the realities of corpses and death.

©2021 Sue Black (P)2021 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Fantastic.

So much knowledge and experience presented incredibly well. Her humor and storytelling really comes through.

True Crime

I think I was expecting more about the impact life leaves on the body...I probably should have read All That Remains. This does talk about the developmental history of bones and fingerprints, but it's largely in service to criminal investigation. Just be aware of that going in.

Fascinating listen!

Very interesting mix of loads of anatomy, including embryology, and its application in criminal and other cases. Well-written and impeccably narrated!

Educational and intriguing

Have always been drawn to Forensic science. The detailed information provided is only topped by the story telling. Not an easy subject but well worth it.

Amazing, if depressing and infuriating sometimes

Its fascinating hearing what records bones can leave behind, or how a decomposing body can tell you all sorts of things. There were some parts that made me sick & furious, particularly about the parts about abuse of children.
This book isn't for everyone, but for the morbidly curious & interested, it's a great read.