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Necropolis: London and Its Dead
Necropolis London and Its Dead
Author: Catharine Arnold
London is a city literally built upon its dead: the Houses of Parliament sit on the edge of a former plague pit, and subway tunnels were driven through forgotten catacombs thick with bones. Utilizing archaeology, anthropology, anecdote, and history, this gloriously macabre tour explores the presence of death in Londoners' lives and the changes i...  more »
ISBN-13: 9781416502487
ISBN-10: 1416502483
Publication Date: 7/1/2008
Pages: 304
Rating:
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 4

3.5 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover
Members Wishing: 7
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ra7 avatar reviewed Necropolis: London and Its Dead on + 1013 more book reviews
It's interesting how the dead have been treated throughout history. It's amazing to me that London is (essentially) one big grave. It makes sense given the space and the amount of people that have lived there since time began.

It was interesting to read about cremation and it falling out of favor with the rise of Christianity. Then it coming back into favor hundreds of years later whether for cost, space, or preference.

This was a bit more academic then I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, it was well researched (pages of sources at the back for further reading). It was entertaining. I had hoped for a little less dryness and a little more humor. (See Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers)


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