All That Remains: A Life In Death by Sue Black

All That Remains: a life in death by Sue Black.

Well, it’s nearly Christmas so why not review a book about death. However, this is one of the most uplifting books I have read.

When I’m on holiday, you can find me reading non-fiction books when I am not reading spectacular pulp fiction escapism novels. It was something I never considered until I worked in Waterstones bookshops. I discovered fantastic books I would have never even thought about. All that remains was one of these, obviously it caught my eye.

Dame Sue Black is a world leading forensic anthropologist from Scotland. What she has done for the field of forensics is stunning and incredible.

So, from the back:

Sue Black confronts death every day. As a Professor of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, she focuses on mortal remains in her lab, at burial sites, at scenes of violence, murder, and criminal dismemberment, and when investigating mass fatalities due to war, accident, or natural disaster. In All That Remains she reveals the many faces of death she has come to know, using key cases to explore how forensic science has developed, and examining what her life and work has taught her.

Considering the subject matter, you would think it would be a grim read. Do not get me wrong, some elements are, Considering the bodies she had to deal with to discover who had committed such terrible war crimes in Kosovo, the Boxing Day Tsunami and the various murder in investigations she has been involved with.

However, this is such a positive book. It is in one part very personnel memoir, another part spectacular and fascinating pop science book. However more than anything it is a deep look at death and all its trappings. Not in a miserable way, but in in positive life affirming way. She believes passionately that” that our humanity transcends the worst malevolence of which our species and nature are capable.”

It interweaves personal family stories, stories of her various working experiences,( including clashes with the government, shame on you Tony Blair) and the science behind the inevitable visit of the grim reaper and what you can do with a body ( donate to science or try and hide a crime)

She says the book “is as much about life as about death we should not fear death but accept it “as an integral and fundamentally necessary part of our life’s process.”

It is at times incredibly sad but it’s also very heart warming and unexpectedly very funny I also found myself utterly fascinated by the science and how to deal with dead bodies, how the various way we return to the earth, if you will. I do not think I have ever found a science book so interesting. There is no doubt at times it is a difficult book, but it is a powerful, emotional book.

If you like Crime series like Silent Witness (the author is not a fan) or of crime novels (one of her friends is crime author Val McDermid) you will also like this.

I do not think I have ever had such a genuine emotional reaction to a book that has made me look at my life in a unique way. Death is not something to fear, it is how we live is important. I urge people to read this.

I have also listened to the audio book read by the author. She is a wonderful narrator, so highly recommend this as well.

Just to let everyone know, I’ll be on pause until the New Year for obvious reasons. I’m not a big fan of Christmas, having previously worked in retail for nearly 20 years. There are a lot of greedy unkind people out there. Please treat those shop workers people kindly if you are out shopping.

Have a good Christmas if you can ( you don’t have too, no pressure) and see you in the New Year.

Cheers as always and thanks for stopping

Dan