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Burke - Now and Then
The retelling of the Burke and Hare story from the point of view of Burke's skeleton which hangs in the Anatomical Museum of Edinburgh University. The skeleton muses on Burke's motivation during their serial killing spree of 1828 to provide the Doctors with subjects for anatomy lessons. The second half of the book is the research that under pins the telling of the story in this way. The most thoroughly researched book on Burke. The research uncovers many previously unknown facts about Burke.
200 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2016
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September 23, 2019
An incredibly researched and unique book about William Burke, written with genuine passion and in a highly accessible format of being one half part fiction, and one half highly meticulous research with solid sources.
A unique, creative and entertaining first half which is written from the view point of Burke's preserved skeleton kept in Edinburgh Medical University, where Philp works. This highly enjoyable section strikes you with enthusiasm to learn more, then in the second half she notes what parts of the story are based on from the incredible amount of research she collected.
It also comes with fantastic photos, illustrations and documentation related to the case, and as a Burke enthusiast myself I saw and learnt more from this book than others about Burke and Hare that I have read that have had details that I wasn't sure whether to believe.
If you are interested in the Burke and Hare murders then this is highly accessible, entertaining and very well researched book to start with, written by a woman who really knows her stuff. Maybe working in the building Burke's skeleton is kept in Burke might have just had some words with Philp herself!
A unique, creative and entertaining first half which is written from the view point of Burke's preserved skeleton kept in Edinburgh Medical University, where Philp works. This highly enjoyable section strikes you with enthusiasm to learn more, then in the second half she notes what parts of the story are based on from the incredible amount of research she collected.
It also comes with fantastic photos, illustrations and documentation related to the case, and as a Burke enthusiast myself I saw and learnt more from this book than others about Burke and Hare that I have read that have had details that I wasn't sure whether to believe.
If you are interested in the Burke and Hare murders then this is highly accessible, entertaining and very well researched book to start with, written by a woman who really knows her stuff. Maybe working in the building Burke's skeleton is kept in Burke might have just had some words with Philp herself!
Displaying 1 of 1 review