Dead Men Do Tell Tales : The Strange and Fascinating Cases of a Forensic Anthropologist

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Summary: An excellent account of his experiences in forensic anthro.
Review: This book is very readable for both the professional and those just interested in the topic of forensic anthropology. He tells his tales in an anecdotal way, without too much technical jargon. His cases span the world from the Czar of Russia to skeletons found in his own state of Florida. An excellent read that i couldn't put down!

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Summary: A great introduction to the world of Forensic Anthropology!
Review: Maples did a spectacular job educating lay people to the world of forensic anthropology in Dead Men Do Tell Tales. He carefully reviews the finer details of specific cases as well as giving insight to the science as a whole. A great "day-in-the-life-of" book! Read it if you're at all curious!

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Summary: Dead Men do Tell Tales is the best book
Review: Dead Men do Tell Tales is a great book. It is very elequent, and puts the reader at ease, even when talking about the murder of children. It gives great insite into the world of the forensic anthropologist. The discovery of Czar Nicolas II and his family is especially well told. Dr. Maples is very good at making the reader feel like they are at the site of the grave and being the first one to dig up the bones. His argument about Alexi and Anastasia still being alive is very true. Another great story is the elephant man, Joseph Merrick. His description of the bone growths are very lifelike. When he talks about the hairs in the plaster cast of Merricks body, it brings shivers to the body. This is the best book I have ever read

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Summary: Recommended
Review: This book was recommended to me by a number of people. I was hestitant, since I didn't have much background or interest (or so I thought) on the subject. As soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down. I found the stories extremely interesting. The cases were detailed enough for me without getting overly scientific.

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Summary: Compelling combination of forensics and human compassion.
Review: It is Dr. Maples' insight and compassion that lift this fascinating book above others of its genre. Not only is he brilliant in the field of forensics, he never lets you forget that the bones once belonged to vibrant people who deserve to be remembered as more than bodies.

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Summary: A Great Read!
Review: This book was extremely fascinating and wonderful to read! It was full of information and could be a little gross at times, but definitely worth the money. I didn't think that the author was stuck on himself at all, but if he was, so what? He's worked so hard the past years that he has bragging rights!!

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Summary: Very impressive!
Review: After reading several reviews I was not sure what to expect. Depiction of the author was not held in high regards. Many said they could not endure the fact that this man had done many great things and then continued to boast about it every chance he had. (At least that is what I got from it) I find that far from the truth or far from the point. He gave vivid detail to his work and findings. Preparing you for the story, not just the bones but how they came to be and their history. I could not put this book down. It has convinced me to pursue a career in Forensic Anthropology were as before it could just be another possibility in the study of Anthropology. The repetitive accounts in the book kept me freshened up. This is the first book I have read on this subject and it is a great starter if you are not sure what part on Anth. you would like to study.

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Summary: A very informative and interesting book.
Review: I'm a physical anthropology major and found this book very informative. I found that Dr. Maples was very full of himself.

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Summary: Interesting book
Review: This is an interesting book for anyone interested in forensic pathology.
It has its high points and low points, ranging from interesting tidbits mentioned almost in passing (the attorney who shot himself in the head FIVE TIMES and still lived 6 more hours), to discussions that seem a bit drawn-out.
At points the book is egotistical, while denying egotism. He writes that he forbids inappropriate humor ("it is my belief that every set of remains deserves a certain minimum of respect"), but includes a picture of himself drinking a soda while lying next to and working on a body.
His writing goes from clear and inspired to confusing. He can write, "the show 'Quincy' has caused me no end of vexation and amusement.... Quincy solved his cases within hours or days. If Quincy had a problem, he telephoned ... Sam, back at the lab, and Sam had the answer for him in seconds."
In writing about his student days, he says, "When you have seen bodies burned to cinders in fires, or pummeled to jelly under a truckload of bricks, ... then the bumps and bogies of academic life hold few terrors for you. 'It could be worse,' you tell yourself ... when worse is the thing you saw lying dead in a highway culvert scarcely twelve hours earlier."
He occasionally gets quite "poetic" in describing humanity, such as the plight of the elderly in his state of Florida: "Mom and Pop ... decide it is time to retire ... in sunny Florida. They little realize what pain awaits them! A year or two after moving into the trailer or condominium, Pop suffers a heart attack and Mom is left alone.... Every living soul the survivor knows is back home in the Midwest. To return or stay? Somehow going back seems harder than going forward. The survivor hangs on in Florida, but the sands of time are ebbing away. Gradually there is a sinking, a submersion into a sea of strangers. The long, sunny days become painful and tedious; all seems overbright and irritating in these hot latitudes. Suicide becomes a soothing way out of a painful, empty existence."
But elsewhere the writing can be confusing, as in "skin can ... deliquesce during decomposition."

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Summary: Started Slow But Picked Up Speed Rapidly
Review: Cautiously ordered, delayed starting but then found myself engrossed. Medical terminology a bit confusing but don't let it hold you back. I agree with the author's sentiments, we need more people in this profession.