Reviews with content warning for Murder - Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin

A fascinating look at a fairly taboo subject, this book delves into the history of bookbinding, paper making, medicine, and anatomy education. It deals with racism, classism, and sexism, and shows how medicine is still perpetuating antiquated approaches to anyone who isn’t a white male. This book is well-researched and well-written, illuminating and intriguing. The author deals with the subject of anthropodermic bibliopegy with great sensitivity and respect.

Definitely recommended for people who love books and want to learn more about the less salubrious history of medicine.

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dakotuhhh's review against another edition

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dark funny informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I loved this book!

I’ve honestly never been a huge reader before these last few months, and I’d never read a nonfiction like this before. I really fell in love and was so happy to be learning as much as I was

One thing that stood out to me was the ethical conversations surrounding universities, museums and other institutions keeping human skin books. Almost every human skin book was created without the consent of the person who’s skin was used.

There are those who argue that the books or just their bindings should be cremated, buried or just somehow laid to rest. The author does a great job of fairly presenting these arguments, while she believes in the importance of preserving and studying the books.

If the goal is to rid all universities, museums and other institutions of human remains that were gathered unethically, Im fairly certain that would be most of them. But I don’t see anyone rioting over Otzi the iceman. Liberty Leading the People is believed to have been painted partially with Mummy Brown, a paint made from ground up Mummified corpses. Yet there are no calls for that to be burnt as far as I know

These books are treated with respect and care by people who understand and appreciate what they are in these institutions. It’s not like a hacky sideshow

I dunno maybe it’s a bad take I just wanted to share my opinion I guess! No one asked!

Either way I love the book

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talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

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dark informative medium-paced

4.0

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alistairjack's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious medium-paced

4.0

Why are we so interested in books made of human skin? How many are there? Why were they made? And why are there so many fakes? This book is an interesting history of human books and the stories of some of the ones we know about. It does a good job of myth busting and getting the reader think about ethics.

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brittanythechronicreader's review against another edition

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dark informative reflective medium-paced

4.25

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