Shri H. (litekepr) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I am fascinated by investigation procedures and found this book to be utterly fascinating. There was some gore, but it does discuss dead and decomposing bodies. I had heard of the Body Farm and Patricia Cornwell's book. But I had not gotten a chance to read much about it. In March of 2006, I was asked to interview Dr Bass (founder of the Body Farm) and his writing partner Jon Jefferson. How could I refuse? They are both wonderful and fascinating people. Dr. Bass answered many of my questions about a book I was writing at the time which has a decomposed skeleton in it. I figured, who better to ask than Dr. Bass :) As an author who is moving into more mystery writing, I found this book invaluable and have marked many pages of information to use for additional details in upcoming books.
I would also recommend that you take a look at the novel written by Jon Jefferson and Dr Bass - they write under the pen name Jefferson Bass and the first book is Carved in Bone. Not as graphic as Death's Acre, but the forensic info is great and spurred a couple of ideas for my first mystery :) The second book in the series is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Shri Henkel
aka Nikki Leigh
I would also recommend that you take a look at the novel written by Jon Jefferson and Dr Bass - they write under the pen name Jefferson Bass and the first book is Carved in Bone. Not as graphic as Death's Acre, but the forensic info is great and spurred a couple of ideas for my first mystery :) The second book in the series is scheduled for release in March 2007.
Shri Henkel
aka Nikki Leigh
Lorrie M. (ilovedale3) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 524 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
If you are a fan of forensic science based books and TV shows (like Patricia Cornwell's books or CSI) then this book is for you! This book is all about the "Body Farm": the plot in Knoxville, TN where forensic scientists study how dead bodies decompose under different conditions. While not for the squeamish, this book is so fascinating that it is hard to put down!
Jeanne G. (IlliniAlum83) -
Helpful Score: 2
Wonderful non-fiction book with all the excitement of a fictional forensic murder mystery. Dr Bass includes several anecdotes about mistakes he made which reveals the human side of scientific research and the perils of making assumptions. Though written as a biography, all fans of Bones, CSI, or Criminal Minds will love this book that shares not only how "The Body Farm" came into being, but many of its precedent-setting experiments as well as a selection of real-life crimes that Dr. Bass is called upon to help solve thru the science of forensic anthropology.
The only negative I found was that some of the chapters seem to have been written as "stand alone" stories, then included in the book so that certain references are repeated over and over (such as the mistakes Dr Bass made over the years).
Additional treat is the foreword by Patricia Cornwell as well as the chapter about her request for a forensic experiment to be done that helps her write her novel "The Body Farm" which in turn brings Dr Bass' research facility into the public limelight and greatly increases donations of bodies for his research.
The only negative I found was that some of the chapters seem to have been written as "stand alone" stories, then included in the book so that certain references are repeated over and over (such as the mistakes Dr Bass made over the years).
Additional treat is the foreword by Patricia Cornwell as well as the chapter about her request for a forensic experiment to be done that helps her write her novel "The Body Farm" which in turn brings Dr Bass' research facility into the public limelight and greatly increases donations of bodies for his research.
Sherry S. (1buriedinbooks) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I found this book fascinating and educational. It was well written in layman's terms.
Lisa G. (wndrngrl) -
Helpful Score: 2
This is an utterly fascinating book describing a series of case studies taken from the career of the first author, Bill Bass, who is one of the nation's leading forensic anthropologists and the founder of the Body Farm. I have also had a life-long interest in true crime books, so when I found out about "Death's Acre" I ordered it promptly
Susan E. (SEEJ) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 48 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Ever since I read The Body Farm by Cornwell and saw the 60 minutes episode on the body farm I have been intrigued by forensic science. This book, although very gory & graphic, explains how advances in forensic science have been made over the last 20 years. It is truly amazing. If you are a fan of Cornwell or CSI, this is a must read. Truly facinating.
Cheryl P. (cherylandtoto2) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
What happens when a body is left above ground? Underground in plastic? In a car trunk? The differences from a scientific/ molecular view is fascinating. This is a very interesting window into the world of Dr. Bass - how he was drawn to this field of study, the hurdles he had to clear to get funding for his research - and the graduate students who are drawn to this field of science. Dr. Bass approaches his work with respect for the dead, yet maintains a gentle sense of humor as he explains the how and why of what he does. A fascinating read!
Christy W. (classyreader) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Disturbingly good book. Well written.
Rachel J. (bibliosopher) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 92 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The author is surprisingly funny for a forensic anthropologist who set up some of the world's queasiest experiments.
Jace H. (Jace) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book. A bit slow in places, but worth the time.
Heather reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on
Helpful Score: 1
Very Good book. Death's acre invites readers on an unprecedented journey behind the gates of the body farm.A patch of land in the Tennessee hills, where corpses decompose and forensic anthropology is revolutionized.
Nancy A. (Chocoholic) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 291 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is an interesting and compelling look at the Body Farm at the University of Tennesse, written by the forensic anthropologist who created it. He describes a number of true crime cases that he has been called on as an expert witness, how he got his start in anthropology and how he is able to determine age, sex, and stature from just a handful of bone fragments. He also details how he first met Patricia Cornwell and how she got her start in writing the Kay Scarpetta series. A must-read for true crime aficionados or fans of Patricia Cornwell.
Jill H. (Luv2cans) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 18 more book reviews
If you enjoy reading True Crime Novels or Forensics, this is a must read!
Anne R. (swampmolly) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 150 more book reviews
too much physical anthropology - not enough story. Very disappointing book.
jjares reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 3263 more book reviews
This is the nonfiction story of how the Body Farm got started. It starts with a young Bill Bass, turning from a counseling degree to anthropology. With his typical modesty, Bass recounts the stories that have contributed to the creation and growth of The Body Farm, at the University of Tennessee.
Bass isn't shy about sharing his boners (mistakes that he lived to regret) and giving credit to others, where it is due. This is a fascinating story - personally and professionally - that has had worldwide ramifications for the field of murder and bringing miscreants to justice. The surprising thing is that this book has been more interesting than the four Body Farm novels I've read (so far).
Bass isn't shy about sharing his boners (mistakes that he lived to regret) and giving credit to others, where it is due. This is a fascinating story - personally and professionally - that has had worldwide ramifications for the field of murder and bringing miscreants to justice. The surprising thing is that this book has been more interesting than the four Body Farm novels I've read (so far).
Lisa H. (lisah) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 11 more book reviews
Very interesting subject, fascinating examples, but the writing grated on my nerves. If you like their fiction writing style it won't bother you at all.
Megan D. (RN780) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 66 more book reviews
Fascinating information on Dr. Bill Bass's forensic "farm" lab.
Karen K. (k5karen) reviewed Death's Acre: Inside the Legendary Forensic Lab, the Body Farm, Where the Dead Do Tell Tales on + 579 more book reviews
inside the legendary forensic lab the body farm where the dead do tell tales
