Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii

by James M. Deem

In ancient times, Pompeii was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. Its 20,000 inhabitants lived in the shadow of Vesuvius, which they believed was nothing more than a mountain. But Vesuvius was a volcano. And on the morning of August 24, A.D. 79, Vesuvius began to erupt. Within twenty-four hours, the entire city of Pompeii—and many of its citizens—had been utterly annihilated.

It was not until hundreds of years later that Pompeii saw daylight again, as archaeological excavations began to unearth what had been buried under layers of volcanic rubble. Digging crews expected to find buildings and jewelry and other treasures, but they found something unexpected, the imprints of lost Pompeiians, their deaths captured as if by photographic images in volcanic ash.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Picture Books, Juvenile, Childrens, Historical

64 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kim Tyo-Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pompeii, one of the world's most infamous disaster stories, always fascinates. This wonderfully written, high-interest nonfiction exploration of the cataclysmic events during the eruption of Vesuvius in August AD 79, the rediscovery of the city and its inhabitants' bodies hundreds of years later, and the archeological and scientific methods used to understand the discoveries, including using plaster to fill in the imprints of bodies captured in volcanic ash, is a great choice for readers ages 10 and up. Stunning photos and details throughout the book are compulsively intriguing, leading readers to both better understand the human tragedy at the heart of the loss of the entire city and so many of its inhabitants as well as marvel at the ingenuity of scientists and historians piecing together the events of that fateful 24 hours so long ago.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this after seeing the ruins of Pompeii myself in person. It's an interesting account of the excavations that occurred over the years, and different theories how the uncovered bodies may have died. Each person had a story to tell. It's a pretty fascinating book about the horrible death they suffered from the pyroclastic surges, their skeletons left preserved by the ash.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was informative, interesting, and a quick read. It contained information I haven't found in other books on the same topic.

[Annie Bastian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was on the ALA Best Book Nonfiction list. I would say this book is for students in the older elementary grades (5th&6th). The text is lengthy and the pictures of preserved bodies may be a little too graphic for any students younger than 5th grade.

[Kendall Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm obsessed with Pompeii, and this book was outstanding! Amazing pictures, chilling stories, This book was so fascinating!!! I want to visit Pompeii someday!

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cross-posted from he reviewer's personal Goodreads account:

Deem, James M. Bodies From the Ash : Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii, NON-FICTION 50 pgs. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2005. Content: PG. (Some of the images may be a little disturbing)

In the year 79, the powerful volcano Vesuvius erupted covering the ancient town of Pompeii with ashes, pumice, intense heat and debris, burying the people and buildings for hundreds of years. Full of captioned photographs, maps, and timelines, the story of the eruption is recounted, as well as the probable stories of some of the victims. Deem does a great job identifying fact and conjecture - and showing how the scientists support their guesses. I thought I knew all about Pompeii - this great resource taught me even more. A bibliography and index make this a great classroom resource.

EL, MS - ADVISABLE Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the year 79, the powerful volcano Vesuvius erupted covering the ancient town of Pompeii with ashes, pumice, intense heat and debris, burying the people and buildings for hundreds of years. Full of captioned photographs, maps, and timelines, the story of the eruption is recounted, as well as the probable stories of some of the victims. Deem does a great job identifying fact and conjecture - and showing how the scientists support their guesses. I thought I knew all about Pompeii - this great resource taught me even more. A bibliography and index make this a great classroom resource.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Erin Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read on Pompeii. Lots of details including a timeline and how the plasters of the bodies were made and how each event of Vesuvius' eruption would have affected the town. The photographs included were great as well. Found this in the kid's section of our library and I probably wouldn't recommend it for little children, both because of subject matter but also it's written in a manner for a higher reading level.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was captivated by this story. I had heard about the eruption of Pompeii, but until I read this book I didn't even know where Pompeii was located. It was great to get thoroughly informed on a missing piece of history in such a short time. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books on the subject.

[Monical · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost can't count this book as a "read"-- its a YA picture book about Pompeii. Terrific illustrations and great text on a topic that I find fascinating. At only 50 pages its a bit of a cheat, but I enjoyed it and I did read it!

[Trent Clegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books intended for children and young teens are the best way to approach something new through reading. Clear, concise, with engaging photos and sidebars, this book is a prime example of how to write about a complex subject for beginning learners. I loved every page!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book for Junior readers. Informative and descriptive with clear photos.

[Debra Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enlightening book to read, especially if interested in Volcanoes, archaeology or traveling to Pompeii.
Very well done with great pictures. I learned so much and can’t wait to visit!

[Arooj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but engaging and informative read. The timeline of the erruption of Mt. Vesuvius is probably the most well presented from almost everything else I've read.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overview suitable for children. Has some gruesome pictures, but most kids love that.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

F&P Level V. Very long and detailed picture book about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Pictures of corpses were disturbing for my young children but may have the exact amount of disgust needed to engage fifth graders.

[Sharon Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

BODIES FROM THE ASH: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii.

Book Review by: Sharon Powers

The book I have for you today, is a fascinating hardcover book, Bodies From the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii. The book gives detailed information about the lives of Pompeii's citizens, the chronology of the eruption of Vesuvius, and striking analysis of events as they likely took place. As James M. Deem chronicles the fact-driven book, he utilizes photographs of architecture, art, and plaster (molds of) bodies fallen in the ruins.

Deem relates things that archaeologists have learned through examining the site and shows just how endangered Pompeii is to both the ravages of the elements and to the potential threat of another eruption of Vesuvius. Breem explains that Vesuvius is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world since over one million people live in its shadow.

I found many of the photographs very moving. The reader observes--in the mold of the plaster cast of the person's body--the very last moments of that person's life. We see how each person faced death. Then, seeing the architecture and streets where people lived and walked and worked everyday, just made their poignant lives real to me.

I really, really liked this book. That is why I selected it for you. If you only have time for one book about Pompeii, this is it. It is very informative, poignant, and everything is beautifully presented.

I rate this book 4.5 stars out of 5 (and round up--it was that good).

[Crystal Ingram · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fifty page chapter book that synthesizes a variety of sources to tell the story of the events of Ancient Pompeii when Mount. Vesuvius erupted. On August 24th and 25th AD 79, after many days of earthquakes and rumbling, Mount Vesuvius erupted. Deem tells the reader the people of Pompeii’s reaction to the eruption, how some decided to flea while others decided to stay. Since it is unknown what happened to those who did escape Pompeii, Deem focuses on telling the readers about the final days of the people that stayed in Pompeii, the stages of the eruption, the way the ash and the pyroclastic surge formed plaster around the bodies. Deem explains how historians have pieced together the history of Pompeii with the few belongs that made it through the eruption and that was not stolen when Pompeii was first rediscovered. He tells the reader that many people visit Pompeii for now, until Mount Vesuvius is active again. I chose to read this book because the events of Pompeii and the way the bodies were preserved has interested me. I think this was a really great book, however, it do not think it was outstanding and I probably would not read it again.

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a 5th great project. Lots of interesting facts about the different excavations along with pictures of the sites and remains.

"In ancient times, Pompeii was one of the largest cities in the Roman Empire. Its 20,000 inhabitants lived in the shadow of Vesuvius, which they believed was nothing more than a mountain. But Vesuvius was a volcano. And on the morning of August 24, A.D. 79, Vesuvius began to erupt. Within twenty-four hours, the entire city of Pompeii--and many of its citizens--had been utterly annihilated.
It was not until hundreds of years later that Pompeii saw daylight again, as archaeological excavations began to unearth what had been buried under layers of volcanic rubble. Digging crews expected to find buildings and jewelry and other treasures, but they found something unexpected, too: the imprints of lost Pompeiians, their deaths captured as if by photographic images in volcanic ash"

[Emily Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a student I loved learning about Pompeii and I think that my future students will be intrigued by the information in this book as well.It has lots of interesting facts about the people, the culture, and the destruction. I loved learning about how people lived back then and how scientists can determine all their information based on what was left behind. I love the real pictures. I think that kids will thoroughly enjoy this book! It will definitely be on my future shelf! I would use this book when talking about culture.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids picked this one out from a library shelf because about half a year ago we talked briefly about Pompeii and I showed them pictures online of the ruins. I'm shocked they're not freaked out by this but they seem to love this book, especially right before bed time (search me!!) (??). I love it too, I guess it's a kind of morbid curiosity for me but I love the educational element of it. Great info, great pictures, great book.

[Carrie G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book in class as a supplemental text. We had been learning about various text structures, and this text worked GREAT to provide further practice identifying and analyzing text structure. The text also worked well to practice using context clues to define unfamiliar words. The writing was interesting and the pictures were amazing! Just an all-around excellent book - for pleasure reading or skill instruction!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3Q 3P M/J

The pictures are the best feature of this book. This book will probably appeal to any teen that is interested in the ruins of Pompeii and how they were preserved after so many years. The book makes some attempt at describing life in Ancient Pompeii but the book mainly focuses on how the bodies were preserved and how Pompeii is now.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. I've always been intrigued by the story of Pompeii, and here is a book able to piece together all the events of its last 24 hours by taking molds from the empty pockets of earth where bodies used to lie. Incredible detail in the recovered body molds, puts you right there to sympathize. Not for all children, though.

[Jen Traub · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really comprehensive look at Pompeii- both what life was like in Pompeii and the events of those tragic days, as well as the excavation and all we've learned over the years.
I definitely recommend it for fifth grade and up, as some of the images and stories may be disturbing for younger readers. (Some made my tummy roll!)

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never has it been made so clear that these were real people who lived and then, one horrible morning, died painfuly. The remains show all too clealry the pain and the frantic nature of the aborted escape as they tired to flee, and found only death.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informational book about Pompeii, good for older students (5th grade). Many black and white photos that are a bit scary at times. Lots of information about the history and science of the volcanic explosion at Pompeii. Would be a nice text to have available for a report.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic! I saw this book at a traveling Pompeii exhibit and am so glad I found it again! The reading level is young adult so it's fairly simple writing but it's incredibly informative. There are dozens of full-color photos included throughout the book as well. A must-read!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating look at what happened to the town of Pompeii on one fateful day in August, 79 AD when the sleeping volcano looming over the ancient city awoke.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures! The author was born in Utica, where I work.