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The Poisoner's Handbook

Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
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1 to 25 of 28 items
Oct 16, 2023autnagrag_0 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Absolutely first rate. I really enjoyed this book. There is more hydrogen cyanide than jazz in it, but it is nicely framed in human terms. I have 22 years of education if that helps you decode my review.
Oct 24, 2021jaglowgla82 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Learned about this book while watching a PBS special. WOW! Learned a lot! Great read.
May 31, 2021mrsmeyer618 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely fascinating. Well written and excellent prose make this a compelling read. The science of the development of toxicology coupled with the historical figures and heinous murderers makes for a great read.
Jun 08, 2018oldfrisco8 rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
The author weaves together stories of New York poisonings, both accidental and intentional, to tell a larger story about politics of the era, and the birth of modern forensics.
Mar 21, 2016CMLibrary_gjd rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
From PBS/American Experience; available for Download via PBS, via CMLibrary. Very fascinating story of the beginnings of forensic science in the US. Reads like a fiction or true crime story. If you enjoyed Devil in the White City, you'll…
Mar 06, 2016gingerreads rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this with my neighborhood book group and we all loved it! It generated so much discussion. It is definitely at the top of my "must read" list.
losdal
Feb 22, 2016losdal rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
a great book...keeping science AND murder stories interesting throughout...HIGHLY recommended!!
Aug 25, 2014
A fascinating history covering the development of modern toxicology practices, crime scene investigation techniques, and the people and politics of New York City in the 1920s and 1930s. Educational and gruesomely entertaining.
Jan 08, 2014librarianatlarge rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
There is also a fascinating PBS documentary based on this book.
Dec 03, 2013whs rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I was once stopped by my father just before taking a swig of wood alcohol that I thought was a tempting bit of whiskey. According to this very interesting book, two teaspoons of the undiluted stuff can kill a child. I wish The Poisoner's…
May 28, 2013TheresaAJ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I was surprised that a book based on chemical elements read so easily and quickly. Blum traces the rise of forensic medicine through poison from 1915 through 1929 in New York City. Prior to Chief Medical Examiner Charles Norris' arrival,…
Mar 09, 2013DarknessFalling4 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I love that this book is written like a story, not just a list of facts. Very well-written and fascinating to read.
Library_Dragon
Dec 17, 2012Library_Dragon rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent, well-written and fascinating look at early forensic science. As someone who's writing a series of 1920s mystery novels, all this information on the era's poisons and forensic sceince limitations was most welcome! :)
Dec 04, 2012hmcgivney rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
I really liked all of the case info and the explanations of how poisons affect the body, but some of the methodology got a little too technical for my taste. I'm also conflicted about the narratives that included animal testing. I know…
Sep 28, 2012Saint_Mirin rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If you enjoyed this book you may also like Stiff by Mary Roach, and Harvard Med: The Story Behind America's Premier Medical School and the Making of America's Doctors by John Langone.
nftaussig
Jun 19, 2012nftaussig rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Deborah Blum's The Poisoner's Handbook provides a fascinating account of how forensic science was placed on a sound scientific basis through the efforts of New York City's Chief Medical Examiner, Charles Norris, and chief toxocologist,…
Jun 04, 2012alanebrown rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Fascinating read. Great trivia tidbits throughout such as arsenic being referred to as "the inheritance powder". Great period piece.
arllynh
Aug 08, 2011arllynh rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Even if you come to the book without a background in history and chemistry, Deborah Blum's The Poisoner's Handbook is a fast-paced, witty treat. The science is easily digestible without being pandering to readers with a non-science…
CSchmidt1
Jul 29, 2011CSchmidt1 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This was a great book that delivered what it promised: a great story of the birth of forensic science in the United States. Great narrative story telling and a wonderful way to illustrate the intersection of chemistry, biology, and…
Jul 26, 2011
I absolutely loved this book -- it makes the scientific concepts so easily accessible and comprehensible.
May 31, 2011infinity0 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
FANTASTIC BOOK! As a scientist, I love to see a well-researched book. Even better, the science is *sound*. It's so read-able, I suggested it to my mother to read. But yes, as other commenters have noticed, it can be a bit gruesome. …
bookfanatic1979
May 20, 2011
There is a liberal dose of easy-to-follow chemistry geekdom, but what makes the book so fascinating is the often-horrifying stories behind the poisoning cases. Be warned, this book is gross in spots and definitely not for animal-welfare…
Feb 04, 2011IDontWork4U rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Great book. Can't wait to see the movie.
Jan 23, 2011bsevertsen rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I just loved this, the history of prohibition era New York and the science behind common poisons of the time was fascinating.
Jan 11, 2011
A wonderful and engrossing non-fiction account of a medical examiner and a toxicologist creating the field now popularized by such shows as CSI. The book not only discusses poisons but also Prohibition, industrial negligence, and the…