A review by marginaliant
Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses by Paul Koudounaris

5.0

This book is a wonderful exploration of the relationship between death and devotion that lead to the creation and proliferation of ossuaries and charnel houses. If you thought decorating churches with bones started and ended with that one chapel in the Czech Republic, you are in for a treat. I learned a lot and enjoyed the big, glossy pictures, so this was pretty much a perfect read. It also has a wonderful index of ossuaries and charnel houses in Europe if you're interested in going on a macabre tourist adventure to visit them all.