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joannchilada's review against another edition
4.0
Yuck! Obviously this was going to be a gross read, but wow did it kill my appetite more frequently than I anticipated. The doomed dogs and cats were the worst parts for me. Terrible human deaths, that’s bad - terrible PUPPY deaths, that’s harder to read.
This book was thoroughly researched with lots of historical facts presented, while also remaining entertaining throughout, a balance that can be hard to strike. I also appreciated that the author didn’t just show how heinous life was in the past, but also provides information about current day poisoning and acknowledges that future generations will find our medical approaches crude by comparison.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was coincidentally the same one who read Anne of Green Gables (Susie Berneis) which my kid and I finished listening to two days before. There was quite of bit of cognitive dissonance hearing the same person who did the voices of all the beloved Green Gables characters repeatedly use (historically accurate) words like piss and turds. “Floating turds” was my favorite use of that word, if you’re wondering. I have no favorite use of “piss”, though. Susie Berneis is a fantastic orator. Versatile, clearly.
This book was thoroughly researched with lots of historical facts presented, while also remaining entertaining throughout, a balance that can be hard to strike. I also appreciated that the author didn’t just show how heinous life was in the past, but also provides information about current day poisoning and acknowledges that future generations will find our medical approaches crude by comparison.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was coincidentally the same one who read Anne of Green Gables (Susie Berneis) which my kid and I finished listening to two days before. There was quite of bit of cognitive dissonance hearing the same person who did the voices of all the beloved Green Gables characters repeatedly use (historically accurate) words like piss and turds. “Floating turds” was my favorite use of that word, if you’re wondering. I have no favorite use of “piss”, though. Susie Berneis is a fantastic orator. Versatile, clearly.
ellie_cripps's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly entertaining and informative history book, not overly detailed for someone like me just looking to engage with the subject on a light level, but still extremely well researched and written.
theatomicblonde22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
kittyreads28's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.75
mastersal's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to Nenia for putting this on my radar. For a more coherent and better review see: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2449392278?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
It only took me 3 years to get to it but better late than never!! This was also my Book 3 for Nonfiction November - for the “Treatment” (of poisons) prompts - which I finished it December. Ah well ….
It only took me 3 years to get to it but better late than never!! This was also my Book 3 for Nonfiction November - for the “Treatment” (of poisons) prompts - which I finished it December. Ah well ….
ceena's review against another edition
5.0
*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
It takes a lot for a nonfiction book to truly capture me and this one did it. It grossed me out too, but I took needed breaks :)
This book is written really well, in my opinion. It is educational, but not dull. I also like the inclusions regarding when the doctors and researchers were taken by surprise or interested in a potential poisoning case. It felt like the author was also still interested in the work and that helped keep me interested.
The first part can be a bit dry, but it has to set the stage and explain things, such as living conditions, hygienic practices, and the most common poisoners. The beginning is background information yet still plain cool to read, but the most interest part of the book (to me, anyhow) is Part II when each chapter goes over a specific poisoning case -- gives background, the pronouncement of the time, and then the modern findings. Knowing that people can tell from bones or hair is someone was poisoned is crazy. Super interesting.
The third part is about poisonings in the modern world which... mostly involve the Russians in some way. Poisoning is totally making a comeback, apparently.
I read this book in one day-- but three different sittings, and is the fastest I've ever read a nonfiction book. If you are interested in the weird or dangerous side of the past and don't mind reading about exploding diarrhea, projectile vomiting, skin swelling and bloating up, or any other potentially disgusting thing bodies can do, then you should totally read this!! Not sure who I will recommend this book to, but I am so ready to recommend it!
It takes a lot for a nonfiction book to truly capture me and this one did it. It grossed me out too, but I took needed breaks :)
This book is written really well, in my opinion. It is educational, but not dull. I also like the inclusions regarding when the doctors and researchers were taken by surprise or interested in a potential poisoning case. It felt like the author was also still interested in the work and that helped keep me interested.
The first part can be a bit dry, but it has to set the stage and explain things, such as living conditions, hygienic practices, and the most common poisoners. The beginning is background information yet still plain cool to read, but the most interest part of the book (to me, anyhow) is Part II when each chapter goes over a specific poisoning case -- gives background, the pronouncement of the time, and then the modern findings. Knowing that people can tell from bones or hair is someone was poisoned is crazy. Super interesting.
The third part is about poisonings in the modern world which... mostly involve the Russians in some way. Poisoning is totally making a comeback, apparently.
I read this book in one day-- but three different sittings, and is the fastest I've ever read a nonfiction book. If you are interested in the weird or dangerous side of the past and don't mind reading about exploding diarrhea, projectile vomiting, skin swelling and bloating up, or any other potentially disgusting thing bodies can do, then you should totally read this!! Not sure who I will recommend this book to, but I am so ready to recommend it!