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Buried Alive: A History of Premature Burials and Accidental Interments
A spine-chilling exploration of premature burials, miraculous escapes, and humanity's deep fear of being buried alive throughout history.
The macabre meets the factual in this spine-chilling exploration of humanity's darkest being buried alive. From ancient folklore to modern medical marvels, Buried Alive delves deep into the annals of history, uncovering tales of premature interment and miraculous escapes.
Imagine the horror of waking up in a coffin, surrounded by suffocating darkness, with no hope of escape. Drawing on historical records and eyewitness accounts, this book reveals the grim reality of those who were inadvertently entombed before their time. From cases of war, where whole battalions have been covered in earth whilst still living, to ritual and superstition, from voodoo to suttee in Haiti and India, as well as the immurement in walls or errant monks and convent sisters. Less-known cases of burials of the living, through murderous intentions and natural disasters are also told, alongside tales of fakirs and hypnotists whose challenges were to have themselves put into a grave and left for days.
Amidst tales of terror, this book also celebrates the resilience and heroism of those who defied death's grasp, providing a wealth of historical detail and many cases which have never before appeared in print. From the invention of bell-rigged coffins to the formation of societies dedicated to preventing premature burials, discover the remarkable measures taken to combat this age-old fear.
Through meticulous research and a gripping narrative, Buried Alive separates fact from fiction, shedding light on the truth behind centuries of taphophobia. This book is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of human resilience in the face of our deepest fears.
The macabre meets the factual in this spine-chilling exploration of humanity's darkest being buried alive. From ancient folklore to modern medical marvels, Buried Alive delves deep into the annals of history, uncovering tales of premature interment and miraculous escapes.
Imagine the horror of waking up in a coffin, surrounded by suffocating darkness, with no hope of escape. Drawing on historical records and eyewitness accounts, this book reveals the grim reality of those who were inadvertently entombed before their time. From cases of war, where whole battalions have been covered in earth whilst still living, to ritual and superstition, from voodoo to suttee in Haiti and India, as well as the immurement in walls or errant monks and convent sisters. Less-known cases of burials of the living, through murderous intentions and natural disasters are also told, alongside tales of fakirs and hypnotists whose challenges were to have themselves put into a grave and left for days.
Amidst tales of terror, this book also celebrates the resilience and heroism of those who defied death's grasp, providing a wealth of historical detail and many cases which have never before appeared in print. From the invention of bell-rigged coffins to the formation of societies dedicated to preventing premature burials, discover the remarkable measures taken to combat this age-old fear.
Through meticulous research and a gripping narrative, Buried Alive separates fact from fiction, shedding light on the truth behind centuries of taphophobia. This book is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring power of human resilience in the face of our deepest fears.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
Published February 13, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 1, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for the ARC.
A very detailed history of being buried alive and the reasons why we do it both intentionally and accidentally. It goes through prehistory to present-day retelling hundreds of accounts of the phenomenon, then more accounts organized by how it happened: ritual sacrifice, murder, punishment, war, natural disaster, etc. Finally ends with how we try to prevent this from happening when we aren't doing it on purpose. The extensive details come at the cost of sounding repetitive, where certain passages feel like they were copy-pasted to whichever spot they fit. Otherwise, it's a really good source of information, and I may have gotten an idea to write a short story thanks to this book.
A very detailed history of being buried alive and the reasons why we do it both intentionally and accidentally. It goes through prehistory to present-day retelling hundreds of accounts of the phenomenon, then more accounts organized by how it happened: ritual sacrifice, murder, punishment, war, natural disaster, etc. Finally ends with how we try to prevent this from happening when we aren't doing it on purpose. The extensive details come at the cost of sounding repetitive, where certain passages feel like they were copy-pasted to whichever spot they fit. Otherwise, it's a really good source of information, and I may have gotten an idea to write a short story thanks to this book.
January 6, 2025
This is an interesting book about people being being buried alive. It's well researched and I found it really fascinating. If you have an interest in this subject matter, I would recommend this! Special Thank You to AJ Griffiths - Jones, Pen & Sword and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This was a comprehensively researched and well-constructed work on the history of accidental burials, deaths that occurred whilst someone was buried alive, and other various morbid fascinations. It is largely formed around a series of small anecdotes about differing burials and circumstances, and covers a wide amount of ground. I do think there were some elements of this that should not have been included, for instance, mine cave-ins, but I also understand why they were. It is certainly morbid subject matter, but it is interesting all the same, and well worth a read.
I do think that there could have been a little more delving into the connected folklore - for instance, the connection of vampire mythology with growing nails and hair as a symptom of having been buried alive, and I did feel that it ended rather abruptly, but it was good nonetheless. I definitely learnt of quite a few cases I had not previously heard of, and learnt some interesting facts about burial customs and rituals through the ages. I understand that there are some people who are not the right audience for a book like this, but I definitely am, and I thought it was great.
This was a comprehensively researched and well-constructed work on the history of accidental burials, deaths that occurred whilst someone was buried alive, and other various morbid fascinations. It is largely formed around a series of small anecdotes about differing burials and circumstances, and covers a wide amount of ground. I do think there were some elements of this that should not have been included, for instance, mine cave-ins, but I also understand why they were. It is certainly morbid subject matter, but it is interesting all the same, and well worth a read.
I do think that there could have been a little more delving into the connected folklore - for instance, the connection of vampire mythology with growing nails and hair as a symptom of having been buried alive, and I did feel that it ended rather abruptly, but it was good nonetheless. I definitely learnt of quite a few cases I had not previously heard of, and learnt some interesting facts about burial customs and rituals through the ages. I understand that there are some people who are not the right audience for a book like this, but I definitely am, and I thought it was great.
April 16, 2025
Another quality reference book from Pen and Sword History.
Meticulously researched and covering a wide range of topics from the fear of being buried alive to the voluntary demonstrations by fakirs or escapologists. This is a book that has painstakingly catalogued and recorded the many episodes of accidental burials through cave-ins to landslides. The crimes associated with disposing of a body when the victim was still alive to the traditions and superstitions demanding the internment of living sacrifices to appease the gods and ancient deities.
Not always an easy read but rewarding in its faithful documentation of all aspects covered in this comprehensive book.
I remember films around fears of premature burial and the demand for elaborate measures to raise the alarm if received in one’s coffin. I especially recall bells to be rung. The book goes into so much more detail and reminded me of the Edgar Allan Poe stories I imaged in the horror films I’d watched.
I was distressed by the countless accidents where people were buried and found that historically we seemed slow to put into place adequate safety measures and adopt common sense. I remember poignantly the Aberfan disaster and despair still at the international aid efforts to earthquake destroyed buildings. Whole communities in inadequate housing to survive earthquakes, buried alive and still many after the collapse homes, survivors are pulled out, often babies, alive.
A book to inform and entertain in parts as we travel through a history of fear, misunderstanding and into modern science.
Meticulously researched and covering a wide range of topics from the fear of being buried alive to the voluntary demonstrations by fakirs or escapologists. This is a book that has painstakingly catalogued and recorded the many episodes of accidental burials through cave-ins to landslides. The crimes associated with disposing of a body when the victim was still alive to the traditions and superstitions demanding the internment of living sacrifices to appease the gods and ancient deities.
Not always an easy read but rewarding in its faithful documentation of all aspects covered in this comprehensive book.
I remember films around fears of premature burial and the demand for elaborate measures to raise the alarm if received in one’s coffin. I especially recall bells to be rung. The book goes into so much more detail and reminded me of the Edgar Allan Poe stories I imaged in the horror films I’d watched.
I was distressed by the countless accidents where people were buried and found that historically we seemed slow to put into place adequate safety measures and adopt common sense. I remember poignantly the Aberfan disaster and despair still at the international aid efforts to earthquake destroyed buildings. Whole communities in inadequate housing to survive earthquakes, buried alive and still many after the collapse homes, survivors are pulled out, often babies, alive.
A book to inform and entertain in parts as we travel through a history of fear, misunderstanding and into modern science.
December 30, 2024
This book is very well researched and very interesting. It definitely made me freaked out. However, the formatting of this book wasn’t my favorite. It felt like a lot of information dumping about different cases, uncovering how they tried to avoid being buried alive.. etc. I felt like the book could have been sectioned out by specific countries or eras? The writing was kind of dry, too.
Thank you Pen & Sword & Net Galley for an advanced copy!
Thank you Pen & Sword & Net Galley for an advanced copy!
November 23, 2024
Buried Alive by AJ Griffiths-Jones is a bone-chilling book details loads of premature burials, accidental interments, live burial/sacrificial rites, murder, and deliberate live burials to make and break records. Premanture burials have struck terror into the minds of so many for thousands of years. Taphophobia is the fear of being buried and waking up alive and has affected thousands of people throughout history. In fact, the American Society for Prevention of Premature Burial was necessitated. I understand that, especially when medical technology was not as advanced as it is today. People appeared dead in comatose and apopletic states and death-ike trances. Some poor souls were paralyzed and couldn't move, silent witnesses to their own funerals. Others were fortunate to signal to passersby by screams they were alive and were revived and lived days, months or years after.
This book is so riveting, disturbing and gripping it was impossible to put down, yet at times it was necessary for my own sanity! The author describes "dead-houses", miners, safety coffins, wills bequeathing money to someone who would stab or sever arteries to ensure death, left notes to housekeepers with similar instructions and also to have several doctors examine their body, and the Greek method. Ways of determining death are discussed as well.
The story of a vault opened to bury someone years after a woman was buried there is terrifying. Her skeleton sat at the entrance...and fingers were missing. A man was removed from his coffin, clothing shredded and bloody in a desperate attempt to escape.
If you are intrigued by the macabre and weirdly fascinating, this book is for you.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this astounding book.
This book is so riveting, disturbing and gripping it was impossible to put down, yet at times it was necessary for my own sanity! The author describes "dead-houses", miners, safety coffins, wills bequeathing money to someone who would stab or sever arteries to ensure death, left notes to housekeepers with similar instructions and also to have several doctors examine their body, and the Greek method. Ways of determining death are discussed as well.
The story of a vault opened to bury someone years after a woman was buried there is terrifying. Her skeleton sat at the entrance...and fingers were missing. A man was removed from his coffin, clothing shredded and bloody in a desperate attempt to escape.
If you are intrigued by the macabre and weirdly fascinating, this book is for you.
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this astounding book.
November 30, 2024
This book looks at the topic of premature interment (a more genteel way of saying buried alive) & some miraculous escapes in the nick of time. To be honest, I'm really not sure what possessed me to read this book, I can't think of something more likely to induce nightmares! It was shocking just how many possible 'premature interments' there may have been, particularly around the time of war or disease. Thankfully the risk of being buried alive has lessened somewhat in more modern times although it has not disappeared completely.
It was also absolutely unfathomable to me how people could have heard shouting or knocking & instead of immediately digging it back up or opening the coffin, going off to find someone in charge. An official in one of the cases waited TWO DAYS after sounds were heard before allowing it to be opened. TWO DAYS! One wonders if those people should have been charged with at least manslaughter.
The book itself is very readable. Rather than a linear narrative it was split into different topics (i.e. ritual, criminal, accidental, etc) & mainly consisted of a listing of cases. They were very interesting, if macabre, & there was obviously a lot of local history research completed by the author. I did notice that sometimes a death concerning a particular topic would be included in one chapter & then a later chapter would deal the topic in more detail - it gave the book a repetitious feel in places even though no cases were actually repeated. If that makes sense. It also ends very suddenly with no concluding chapter which felt a little abrupt.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
It was also absolutely unfathomable to me how people could have heard shouting or knocking & instead of immediately digging it back up or opening the coffin, going off to find someone in charge. An official in one of the cases waited TWO DAYS after sounds were heard before allowing it to be opened. TWO DAYS! One wonders if those people should have been charged with at least manslaughter.
The book itself is very readable. Rather than a linear narrative it was split into different topics (i.e. ritual, criminal, accidental, etc) & mainly consisted of a listing of cases. They were very interesting, if macabre, & there was obviously a lot of local history research completed by the author. I did notice that sometimes a death concerning a particular topic would be included in one chapter & then a later chapter would deal the topic in more detail - it gave the book a repetitious feel in places even though no cases were actually repeated. If that makes sense. It also ends very suddenly with no concluding chapter which felt a little abrupt.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pen & Sword, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
December 2, 2024
Buried Alive by AJ Griffith Jones, I read another book similar to this one but found this one so much better it encompassed every kind of burial from buildings falling on top of people to cave-ins the actual funeral rituals that left people entombed in the dirt and alive. They also talked about the famous people who feared it the politicians who try to prevent it in those who were so prideful and denied it even happened. It seemed every culture known to man from those in South America Britain the Middle East ET see feared being buried alive the author even covered those who buried people alive on purpose I was really fascinated by those who fought in wars and were buried under all the dead people there was just so much information in this book and I think Mr. Griffith Jones dotted every I and crossed every T when researching this topic and it made for a very interesting read with lots of OMG moments. This is definitely a book readers will want to have on their coffee table or their TBR pile either way once you start it you’ll find it hard to put down I certainly did. I love stuff like this and I enjoyed it so much. #NetGalley, #PinAndSwordPress, #AJGriffithJones, #BuriedAlive,
February 24, 2025
There was a lot of interesting information in this book. I appreciated the way it was separated into categories of burials and followed a linear timeline within each chapter. It would have been nice if there was some sort of spacing or symbol between separate stories, but I imagine that was a publishing decision to keep the number of pages down. The content was very extensively researched to come up with so many examples. I would have liked to have more information about some of the stories that ended abruptly, for example what happened to the survivor and how he or she dealt with the trauma in cases where someone lived. I don't know if that was an author omission or if the information just wasn't available from the sources used.
It was astounding how many deaths could have been avoided if the person finding someone, buried alive and still moving or making noise, hadn't been like "uh-oh, gotta get the mayor or the priest of whoever for permission to open the grave/coffin" and then the person was dead by the time they got back. I also found it especially interesting how many different cultures had similar beliefs about burying someone alive within the construction of a large structure.
It did get rather repetitive a few times, but that's just the nature of focusing on one type of content. Good effort by the author to use different words/phrases as much as possible to describe similar events.
It was astounding how many deaths could have been avoided if the person finding someone, buried alive and still moving or making noise, hadn't been like "uh-oh, gotta get the mayor or the priest of whoever for permission to open the grave/coffin" and then the person was dead by the time they got back. I also found it especially interesting how many different cultures had similar beliefs about burying someone alive within the construction of a large structure.
It did get rather repetitive a few times, but that's just the nature of focusing on one type of content. Good effort by the author to use different words/phrases as much as possible to describe similar events.
February 27, 2025
Just like a really long list. It became monotonous very quickly. Some of the stories seemed identical to one another, which probably lends itself to the folklore around live burials, but the author lists each one pretty much equally. In the first few chapters especially I wondered how many were simply urban legends with no actual basis in reality (the lady's fingers they cut off for her rings for example). But he doesn't investigate much beyond "this article said it happened."
Speaking of, many of these stories just end abruptly like 🤷🏻♀️. For example, "She afterwards related many curious things that she apparently saw while in the trance." Okay, SUCH AS...? If I recall, this woman was brought back from the dead and you give us NOTHING?!
Finally, much of the writing is clunky and dated. Like I know this thing [insert old timey event] happened in 1800-whatever, but maybe don't use uncomfy dated race identifiers. Not to mention "burials alive." There's no way that's correct. Say "live burials" or "instances of being buried alive" if you must keep with the title phrase.
**I received my copy from Netgalley.
Speaking of, many of these stories just end abruptly like 🤷🏻♀️. For example, "She afterwards related many curious things that she apparently saw while in the trance." Okay, SUCH AS...? If I recall, this woman was brought back from the dead and you give us NOTHING?!
Finally, much of the writing is clunky and dated. Like I know this thing [insert old timey event] happened in 1800-whatever, but maybe don't use uncomfy dated race identifiers. Not to mention "burials alive." There's no way that's correct. Say "live burials" or "instances of being buried alive" if you must keep with the title phrase.
**I received my copy from Netgalley.
March 14, 2025
I had had my eye on this book for a while as I have started reading more true crime and dark history and I had previously read some articles.on the subject by the author.
The main thing I learned is that this l, horrifcally, was occurring a lot more recently than I first thought. I was also baffled by the actions (or inaction as the case was) of the people who suspected or heard noise coming from graves and who did not instantly try to help the person instead running to raise the alarm by which time the victim had lost their lives.
This book is full of detail and looks at the different ways people have come to be buried alive. Some were as the result of punishment, others murder. People were interred due to carelessness and corner cutting, others chose to be for the faith and/ or to prove their skill. Some were a genuine accident and were able to saved, others were not so lucky.
Some of the stories can sound repetitive, probably due to the similarity of the experiences endured or witnessed but that does not take away from the work.
The main thing I learned is that this l, horrifcally, was occurring a lot more recently than I first thought. I was also baffled by the actions (or inaction as the case was) of the people who suspected or heard noise coming from graves and who did not instantly try to help the person instead running to raise the alarm by which time the victim had lost their lives.
This book is full of detail and looks at the different ways people have come to be buried alive. Some were as the result of punishment, others murder. People were interred due to carelessness and corner cutting, others chose to be for the faith and/ or to prove their skill. Some were a genuine accident and were able to saved, others were not so lucky.
Some of the stories can sound repetitive, probably due to the similarity of the experiences endured or witnessed but that does not take away from the work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
I really wanted to love this book as I find the subject matter fascinating, but I feel that this book very quickly lapsed into a long list of every record, myth and legend about people who were buried alive, divided into specific themes (children, war, crime etc).
However there was little to no discussion and the text jumped around a lot: one paragraph on India in 1890s, next in Jamaica at more or less the same time, and then the next paragraph back to India with no clear reason why it hadn't just stayed with India before moving on. There were also so many opportunities for discussion missed such as what happens to a body in a coffin (a dead one) and could there be any scientific reasons for some of the evidence when people had been exhumed.
Sadly this book was a DNF for me - after more than three weeks of plodding through it I still have 100 pages to go! It's only just over 200 pages so this really has been a slog and I think I have enough examples of people being buried alive. This is a 2.5 but I am rounding up to a 3 as I wanted to like it.
However there was little to no discussion and the text jumped around a lot: one paragraph on India in 1890s, next in Jamaica at more or less the same time, and then the next paragraph back to India with no clear reason why it hadn't just stayed with India before moving on. There were also so many opportunities for discussion missed such as what happens to a body in a coffin (a dead one) and could there be any scientific reasons for some of the evidence when people had been exhumed.
Sadly this book was a DNF for me - after more than three weeks of plodding through it I still have 100 pages to go! It's only just over 200 pages so this really has been a slog and I think I have enough examples of people being buried alive. This is a 2.5 but I am rounding up to a 3 as I wanted to like it.
November 28, 2024
I absolutely LOVED this book!!
The stories of those who were buried alive, either intentionally or unintentionally are so bizarre! I could not stop reading, and this was one of those books that will freak you out, yet morbidly keep you fully engaged.
These stories range from ancient to the more present day, and are full of as much detail as is available. Reading before bed may cause your dreams to be a bit wacky, but once you start reading, you will not want to put this book down.
Wander through these pages, and see if you have a fear of being buried alive! There were some methods that were used to ensure that a person was "truly dead" (and here I have visions of BRING OUT YOUR DEAD playing), and some were truly weird. I can see the wanting to be sure, but goodness, don't try these at home folks.
Enjoy! I loved this book - from its weird to its accidental oopses.
The stories of those who were buried alive, either intentionally or unintentionally are so bizarre! I could not stop reading, and this was one of those books that will freak you out, yet morbidly keep you fully engaged.
These stories range from ancient to the more present day, and are full of as much detail as is available. Reading before bed may cause your dreams to be a bit wacky, but once you start reading, you will not want to put this book down.
Wander through these pages, and see if you have a fear of being buried alive! There were some methods that were used to ensure that a person was "truly dead" (and here I have visions of BRING OUT YOUR DEAD playing), and some were truly weird. I can see the wanting to be sure, but goodness, don't try these at home folks.
Enjoy! I loved this book - from its weird to its accidental oopses.
November 19, 2024
Buried Alive is a macabre yet interesting read that was clearly well researched. The pieces on the history and motivation behind the practice were intriguing, however, once it became evident that each chapter was largely a compilation of brief stories centered around a specific subject, the book lost some of its appeal and became a bit monotonous.
Thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2024
This was an interesting read and very evident gow much research has gone into this book. However, for each account it was more so short paragraphs of information, I feel this book could have been played out differently as it wasn't really a story.
Interesting information and never realised how easy it was to bury people alive. Terrifying.
Thanks Netgally and Pen & Sword for my copy
Interesting information and never realised how easy it was to bury people alive. Terrifying.
Thanks Netgally and Pen & Sword for my copy
September 5, 2025
Reading this book felt like being buried alive.
December 30, 2024
Perhaps this wasn’t my best choice in bedtime reading, I’m surprised I didn’t have nightmares but it was an absolutely fascinating read. The subject matter - who knew that this was such an extensive area- was incredibly well researched with astonishing rigour. The number of examples of this macabre subject is quite vast which came as a bit of a shock. Each one is treated with respect and the detail that it deserves to paint a really detailed picture. Fascinating, compelling and thought provoking reading but perhaps not for the faint hearted.
January 6, 2025
Burial alive has been used as a form of capital punishment for centuries and in many nations.’
What a chilling and gripping read.
A must for any history lover.
‘The body was lying face down, the lining of the coffin torn to shreds, hair pulled out of the man’s head, arms bent and the hands so tightly clenches that the fingernails have been sunk into the flesh’
Not for the faint hearted!
What a chilling and gripping read.
A must for any history lover.
‘The body was lying face down, the lining of the coffin torn to shreds, hair pulled out of the man’s head, arms bent and the hands so tightly clenches that the fingernails have been sunk into the flesh’
Not for the faint hearted!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews