Synopsis:
Over the course of history men and women have lived and died. In fact, getting sick and dying can be a big, ugly mess-especially before the modern medical care that we all enjoy today. How They Croaked relays all the gory details of how nineteen world figures gave up the ghost.
My review:
I am not usually not one for explicit horror and this book is not it. I am just going to tell you that up front if you think it is. However, the beginning introduction has a warning and it should be adhered to. The book says, " If you don't have the guts for gore, do not read this book." They mean it and I will explain why. The reason I picked up this book to begin with is the title humored me. So, I suppose I am a little bit morbid.
This book outlines 19 people who most all of us are familiar with beginning with King Tut. Yes, they are all real people. The book gives a bit of background on all of the characters: who they were, how they came to power, how they lived, and how they died. Nothing is held back in this book and it can be rather gory. Well, you were warned!
An example would be (without spoiling), is King Tut. We all know that he died at the very young age of 19; but do you know how they prepared his body? Well, let me tell you. The book tells in graphic details right down to certain parts being stuffed in jars. Eww...
At the end of descriptions, a follow up page is written. Some, like King Tut again link to mummies, others like Pocahontas, links to people she knew, her nickname, etc. One character leads to simple sign language. Hmm...read the book to find out who that is.
Fascinating stuff!
I have to not the illustrator, Kevin O'Malley. His illustrations only enhanced a terrific book. Each chapter was introduced with a humorous look at each person. The illustrations were all done in black and white but are a funny take on what could be a very gory book.
I would want to say this is for adults only but truthfully, it is not. This book is aimed for the reluctant reader from middle school on. Kids eat this morbid stuff up and if they can read it, all the better.
I actually loved this book and giving it 5 pumpkins!
Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book for my own collections. The views here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle
1 comment:
That sounds interesting. Good read for this time of year.
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