The Bone Lady: Life as a Forensic Anthropologist

My daughter started watching Bones and ended up finding this book to learn more about anthropology. Absolutely loved the way its written and read it in 2 days.

Have a future forensic anthropologist in my house, loves this book. Very interesting and well written.

"The Bone Lady - (Life as a Forensic Anthropologist)" by Mary H. Manhein, ISBN 01402.9192X (pbk), Penguin Books 2000, is a 137 page curiously enticing story-telling recount of Manhein's personal encounter and infatuation with college anthropology which led her to become a working forensic bioanthropologist and Director of Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services Laboratory (FACES), forensics instructor (LSU), and deputy coroner.A gifted story teller, she provides an articulate recital of her childhood, then marriage, and finally 'matriculating' at age 33; and she then delves into a dozen or so intriguing cases where she is asked to help provide identification of remains, often just bones and thus she acquires rank as 'The Bone Lady,' and later fellowhip distinction (FAAFS). The medley of cases provide some modicum about similariy of mammalian bones, grave sites, viewing windows in cast-iron coffins, insights into aging of bone, and differentiation of male vs. female remains.The book yields the "feeling" of field forensics by touching on the politics, stenches, miseries, hazards, grief, closure, and those too few triumphs unearthed by 'The Bone Lady." It is well written and easy to read and priced just right.

Very interesting cases of a forensic anthropologist. She discusses how skeletons are studied to determine age, sex, race, and cause of death. She works closely with law enforcement.

I purchased this book for my daughter who is interested in becoming a forensic anthropologist...Because she was in the middle of another book, I was able to read it before her. I am so glad that we got it. It is VERY interesting. I love the writing style and the sharing of her experiences. I laughed; I cried; I learned so much. I think this is the perfect book for anyone who is considering going into this field. The only thing that I found frustrating were all the un-solved cases, but (unfortunately) that's REAL life, isn't it?...It's not like the so-called 'cases' you see on TV.

Let me start this review by informing the you that I am an Anthropology student, so I am slightly biased towards the subject of the text. In a way this is good for the book and in a way it isn't. It is good, because no matter the negatives of the author or text I am going to like it since I love reading about the cases and how the investigator got to the conclusion they reached. Unfortunately I am also more knowledgeable on the topic then the average joe.With that being said...After reading Ms. Manhein's book I am very disappointed, upon purchasing the text I was looking forward to learning something new that only someone in the field could teach me, but after the first few chapters, I found her writing simplistic and her chapters short. I do not know if the author was attempting to dumb down her writing for the masses or if she just didn't have much to write. But her book leaves much to be desired.For someone who is a novice in the field, an avid Bones watcher who just finds this fascinating and needs to have things like "skull" and "cranium" defined individually then this is perfect for them. She tends to blend her stories with the science seamlessly and while I there may have not been enough science for my tastes I cannot deny that that makes the book an easy read.If you are looking for a little to no-fluff book that describes the situation and science with little conjecture, this is not for you. I would suggest another text titled, Dead Men Do Tell Tales by Dr. Maples.

Excellent book! I have a degree in Anthropology and studied forensic anthropology, osteology and biological anthropology during my undergrad, so I read any and all books I can find on the subject. The Bone Lady is a series of case files from the author's career and it is very interesting. She provides a variety of different forensic cases that she worked on and you really get to see how diverse and broad the field can really be. Recommend for anyone interested in forensics or forensic anthropology.

I enjoyed reading her book for facts, but also for hearing her voice. I was blessed to get to meet her in person and truly loved how life comes alive around her. She works with death as she helps find completion for those who have lost a loved one. She helps police discover the truth on how who died and how they lost their life. Ms. Manhein also writes fiction. The third book in the non fiction series, just released. Check out all of her books. You won't be disappointed.

STILL READING AT MOMENT I READ SLOWLY BECAUSE I HAVE A BRAIN INJURY I HAD A STROKE IN 2013 I LOVE READING AND I AM JUST GETTING BACK INTO IT

An interesting compilation of information related to bone identification and its usage in assisting with law enforcement cases.A good addition to the collection of the researcher.

Excellent