Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York

Without a doubt, this book was an amazing surprise. Deborah Blum has taken a potentially dry topic, the evolution of forensic medicine, by treating each of ten poisons as individual characters in the story of how the City of New York came to recognize the importance of medical evidence in business of criminal prosecution.

I am planning to use this book as supplemental reading material to the college course I teach next spring. It is easy reading and was very enjoyable tying in the development of medicine, and forensic to history and society. I also recommend the DVD put out by PBS that is based on this book (American Experience: Poisoner's Handbook).

I found this book to be very entertaining. Firstly, I enjoyed reading the story of the two pathologists and the information regarding the poisons. The murder stories were also entertaining. It does get a bit repetitive after a while, though that might because I tried to power through half the book in one sitting. The book kept my interest until the end and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the 1920s and chemistry. ~Tim

excellent ; a most interesting and enjoyable read. it is worthwhile noting how difficult the job has been ;for politics to stifle inovation and those genuinely trying to improve things for the common man. The work of these early scientists was fraught with diffculty, but their tenacity and ingenuity have produced the most amazing discoveries and left such a legacy. The book is very readable despite its technical subject matter

The science of the myriad poisons is interesting, and the stories behind our societies attempt to stay ahead of accidental and purposeful deaths is interesting. I felt that the author made neither the science nor the stories themselves interesting.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't well organized--the chapters tended to stray from what the topic was originally about--but that aside, I thought the content was very interesting.

It was a great mix of history, chemistry and forensic science. I think if you enjoy any (or all!) of those topics, you will probably enjoy this book.

I especially enjoyed the chapter about the radium girls. It's amazing how far science and workplace safety have come in 100 years.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Charles "Chuck" Norris' contributions to modern forensic pathology are described very well. I gained much understanding of 1920's America. I will read it again and again. I've given the book as a gift to friends. My 17 year old daughter liked it, did a school book report on it and her teacher asked to borrow it.

A wonderful example of how the dedication and persistence of an individual can change history, "The Poisoner's Handbook" was an extraordinary tale of the development of forensic toxicology. Norris and Gettler outdid Sherlock Holmes as they passionately and creatively unraveled the formulas for early twentieth century poisons, enlightened the criminal justice system,and were champions against corruption. I loved t he book. I thank them as I enjoy my evening Martini.

I am very interested in forensic medicine. when I read the review of Deborah Blum's new book I was intrigued and had to purchase it. This is for anyone who loves history, science and medicine and crime. As a New Yorker I had no idea that the first medical examiner was not a physician. I just assumed that position required such (it does now). I enjoy the way the chapters are organized...according to the type of poison. A good read and not terribly technical.

The author interweaves crime stories, forensic chemistry, and Prohibition -- during which the government itself poisoned a lot of people by deliberately making industrial alcohol as toxic as possible. Well-written and entertaining.

If you like Science and you like history, then this book is for you. I loved this book and the historic lesson of the birth of Forensic Science. If you liked the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks then you will enjoy this book as well.

Pioneering science set in an engaging narrative that makes for an interesting read. For those interested in chemistry, forensics, and American history this book will be enjoyable. The interspersed narratives of "real life" application of the science keep this book from dragging.

Well-written and engrossing. My biggest complaints were that the gory details were sometimes too much (the techniques used in wet chemistry involved grating body organs into mush, the tests take place on animals frequently so they can be killed to study the results, and as the techniques evolved of course they still had to do all the gruesome preliminary mush preparation and animal tests) and that I think the title would more aptly mention prohibition directly since it is such a prevalent theme. I think my first complaint is unavoidable due to the subject matter...and my latter complaint is probably petty. I would certainly recommend this book - just know what you're getting into!

Fascinating book. If you are into forensic medicine, and how it has evolved over the years. Easy reading, the author gives great explanations of the poisons without boring you with to much scientific detail.