SHEILA B. (SheilaB) reviewed Over Their Dead Bodies: Yankee Epitaphs & History on + 188 more book reviews
From the back......
"Old-time New Englanders and a number of modern ones believed that the logical place to have their say was on their gravestones. Their often stunning frankness has produced three centuries of highly personal comments on religion, politics, death, wars, love marriage, and social change carved on markers in thousands of cemeteries throughout the region.
Over Their Dead Bodies is the first collection of its kind to explore this treasure trove chronologically and to present epitaphs within the framework of their times. The result is a fresh approach to Americana whereby these crackling "last words" of everyday people gain in significance without losing their appeal.
"Old-time New Englanders and a number of modern ones believed that the logical place to have their say was on their gravestones. Their often stunning frankness has produced three centuries of highly personal comments on religion, politics, death, wars, love marriage, and social change carved on markers in thousands of cemeteries throughout the region.
Over Their Dead Bodies is the first collection of its kind to explore this treasure trove chronologically and to present epitaphs within the framework of their times. The result is a fresh approach to Americana whereby these crackling "last words" of everyday people gain in significance without losing their appeal.
