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A review by lattelibrarian
Death's Summer Coat: What the History of Death and Dying Teaches Us About Life and Living by Brandy Schillace
4.0
Death's Summer Coat offers an intriguing perspective on how death and dying has changed over the course of time. How has the concept of a "good death" changed, and how did the black plague change our perspectives of how we treat the dead and dying? Why did we pose with our did for daguerreotypes? And how has mourning fashion changed depending on globalization? Schillace answers all of these questions and more, making for a very satisfying read.
Content includes many pictures, sources, and suggestions for further reading, showing that Shillace has certainly done her research, and that though a taboo subject, death is talked about quite a lot.
I enjoyed her quick wit and the ways in which she explained pieces of history and cultures unlike ours. After all, how can we justify acts such as sati, or the ways in which some cultures cannibalize their dead? I loved that she went above and beyond, discussing plagues, genocides, war, and onward and how they've changed our own cultures.
This is a great overview at all the complexities mortality has brought upon us and the philosophy behind so many of our actions. We will all die one day, but before you do, read this book.
Review cross-listed here!
Content includes many pictures, sources, and suggestions for further reading, showing that Shillace has certainly done her research, and that though a taboo subject, death is talked about quite a lot.
I enjoyed her quick wit and the ways in which she explained pieces of history and cultures unlike ours. After all, how can we justify acts such as sati, or the ways in which some cultures cannibalize their dead? I loved that she went above and beyond, discussing plagues, genocides, war, and onward and how they've changed our own cultures.
This is a great overview at all the complexities mortality has brought upon us and the philosophy behind so many of our actions. We will all die one day, but before you do, read this book.
Review cross-listed here!