A review by midwinteraz
Dead Men Do Tell Tales by Michael Browning, William R. Maples

3.0

I didn't realize how old this book was when I started reading, and parts of it felt a bit dated. The epilogue left on a melancholy note, with Dr. Maples reflecting on dwindling funding, retirements, and closing collegiate programs, but I have a feeling the premiere of the CSI TV shows (and Bones!) gave a boost to funding and interest in forensic anthropology. Maples' stories show the amazing variety of cases one can encounter in forensic anthropology, and the chapters are told with an engaging and entertaining voice. I took a human osteology graduate course in 1998 and have profound respect for the experts who can "read" the evidence left in tiny bone fragments. I'd love to see a contemporary author's take on the subject, to see how scientific advancements have changed the field since 1994.