The Seven Ages of Death: ‘Every chapter is like a detective story’ Telegraph
Sep 2021 · Penguin UK
4.9star
22 reviewsreport
Ebook
416
Pages
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About this ebook
The heart-wrenchingly honest new book about life and death from forensic pathologist and bestselling author of UNNATURAL CAUSES, Dr Richard Shepherd
A TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
'Deeply insightful. Unflinching' THE TIMES
'A finely-crafted detective story' DAILY TELEGRAPH
'Enlightening, strangely uplifting' DAILY MAIL
'Fascinating' DAILY EXPRESS
_________
Dr Richard Shepherd, a medical detective and Britain's top forensic pathologist, shares twenty-four of his most intriguing, enlightening and never-before-told cases.
These autopsies, spanning the seven ages of human existence, uncover the secrets not only of how a person died, but also of how they lived.
From old to young, murder to misadventure, and illness to accidental death, each body has something to reveal - about its owner's life story, how we age, justice, society, the certainty of death.
And, above all, the wonderful marvel of life itself.
_________
Praise for Dr Richard Shepherd
'Gripping, grimly fascinating, and I suspect I'll read it at least twice' Evening Standard
'A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating' Nigella Lawson
'An absolutely brilliant book. I really recommend it, I don't often say that but it's fascinating' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2
'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' Guardian
'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' Richard and Judy, Daily Express
'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' Observer
A TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
'Deeply insightful. Unflinching' THE TIMES
'A finely-crafted detective story' DAILY TELEGRAPH
'Enlightening, strangely uplifting' DAILY MAIL
'Fascinating' DAILY EXPRESS
_________
Dr Richard Shepherd, a medical detective and Britain's top forensic pathologist, shares twenty-four of his most intriguing, enlightening and never-before-told cases.
These autopsies, spanning the seven ages of human existence, uncover the secrets not only of how a person died, but also of how they lived.
From old to young, murder to misadventure, and illness to accidental death, each body has something to reveal - about its owner's life story, how we age, justice, society, the certainty of death.
And, above all, the wonderful marvel of life itself.
_________
Praise for Dr Richard Shepherd
'Gripping, grimly fascinating, and I suspect I'll read it at least twice' Evening Standard
'A deeply mesmerising memoir of forensic pathology. Human and fascinating' Nigella Lawson
'An absolutely brilliant book. I really recommend it, I don't often say that but it's fascinating' Jeremy Vine, BBC Radio 2
'Puts the reader at his elbow as he wields the scalpel' Guardian
'Fascinating, gruesome yet engrossing' Richard and Judy, Daily Express
'Fascinating, insightful, candid, compassionate' Observer
Ratings and reviews
4.9
22 reviews
MonsterAdam (adamwow)
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December 12, 2024
Amazing book. Every chapter is a different case, a different autopsy and these stories are so interesting. I've ordered a physical copy of this book because I want other people in my family to read it too.
Sian Thacker
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February 25, 2023
Fascinating, an unexpected surprise. Have already bought his next book, I enjoyed this one so much.
Hana Darlington
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December 15, 2022
another fantastic book by the author. I enjoy the journey from the beginning of life to death with examples from real patients
About the author
Richard Shepherd was born in West London but grew up in Watford. He was introduced to a medical textbook smuggled into the classroom by a friend which opened his eyes to the world of crime and murder, setting him on a lifelong quest to understand death in its many forms. He trained as a doctor at St George's Hospital medical school at Hyde Park Corner, qualifying in 1977 and then completed his postgraduate training as a forensic pathologist in 1987. He immediately joined what was then the elite forensic department at Guy's Hospital.
He has been involved nationally and internationally in the forensic investigation of thousands of deaths from unnatural causes, from headline-making murders to mass natural disasters.
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