All That Remains: A Renowned Forensic Scientist on Death, Mortality, and Solving Crimes

Sue Black is an amazingly gifted writer! I could not put this book down. It's written professionally, scientifically, with immense respect both for the wonders of life, and for the intricacies and changes that occur to our bodies after death. Sue Black advocates for how important it is to help medical students by pre-planning (if wished) one's own body as a donation to science, and she describes in introspective detail the gratitude felt by anatomy students who examine a deceased corpse, as they learn about the incredible intricacies of the human body. Sue Black vividly and humbly recalls her own experience as a medical student when she first learned how to dissect a donor cadaver, and learned about the human body, and the deep relationship of awe, humility, respect she developed with the cadaver she was assigned to. This whole book, even though it deals all the time with bodies and body parts (rotting, to a certain extent, most of the time), is never gross. The author is methodically descriptive, never offensive, and -- at least for me as her reader -- she really helped me think about my own mortality in realistic terms, as just one more fact of life, the terminal fact of life, in fact, and about how to cherish every living day on earth, and why. As she writes, we all eventually meet death, why not meet "her" (she engenders death as a female, several time in the book) prepared and serene for this extraordinary encounter which will happen only once for each one of us. Sue Black has a dry sense of humor permeating the pages. My thinking is that the best reader for this book is someone already relatively at peace with the concept of death, someone curious to know what happens biochemically to the human body once oxygen no longer flows to the cells, and someone interested in probing how each of us leaves a legacy when we die: a corporal one, and one of memories generated by all the various adventures we create when we meet other fellow human beings who cross our path on earth. I think a good subtitle for this book would be something along he lines of "How to Read a Dead Body Like a History Book about the Life of That Specific Person." While Sue Black stays in the background in most pages (she is professionally a forensic anthropologist -- I did not even know that such a thing existed before I read her book -- and most of what she writes is, in fact, about her job and its challenges), the last chapter is finally devoted to herself: a portrait of what she has learned about life and about death, having been for decades in her profession. The author comes across as a woman you would want to meet and take a peaceful walk with one quiet afternoon, just chatting about life and death. This has become easily one of my favorite books. I can't wait for Sue Black's next book to be published.

Very insightful and well written.

The author covered so many different aspects of death and the ability of the dead to teach forensic scientists, I was in awe. I was struck by my ignorance of the different processes the human body goes through after death and the ability of forensics to find answers for the living. I was especially moved by the respect and reverence given to those who have dedicated their bodies to science. A fascinating read.

The author's subtle humor helped lighten the reading matter as she imparts fascinating details about forensic anthropology. Her style of writing captured my attention all the way through to the end, which is saying something for me, who often flips around and or skips to the end of many books. Her participation in major historical world tragedies (genocide, tsunamis, etc) identifying human remains with compassion for loved ones and respect for the dead was/is admired. I also learned more about these events, in greater depth than one can learn from the evening news. Will I donate my body to medical science as she describes? Maybe, if I find a school similar to the university where she graduated from and taught.

Sue Black has a great sense of humor in her telling of great adventures in a world few can imagine. I have a greater appreciation for science and the stories our bodies tell after we die. Easy read and my attention was kept through the whole book.

Skippable chapters mixed in with fantastic reading. The chapters Death in the Family, Death up close and Personal, and the Epilogue could have been greatly condensed. Way too much family history and opinions on how she would like to die in the end. I largely skipped through those sections. Other portions of this book make for fantastic reading. Her work in Kosovo and Thailand for example are simultaneously gut wrenching and highly informative. Sue Black is to be commended for her selfless and inspiring work.

Sue Black is an amazing woman who writes well of her experiences. Other than one gruesome chapter, the book held my interest and taught me much about the human body and how valuable forensics are. I will keep this book to read again.

All That Remains is one of the most quietly powerful books I’ve read in a long time. Written by forensic anthropologist Professor Sue Black, it offers an intimate and deeply human perspective on death, grief, and the science behind what our bodies reveal after we’re gone. But it’s not a morbid or sensationalist book at all. Instead, it’s filled with sensitivity, wisdom, and a calm, matter-of-fact tone that somehow makes the subject feel both accessible and oddly comforting. What makes this book so compelling is Sue Black herself. Her writing is intelligent, clear, and rich with personal insight. She shares stories from her decades of experience working with the dead, whether through academic study, disaster victim identification, or international criminal investigations. Yet she also reflects deeply on the emotional and philosophical aspects of mortality. You get to know her as a professional, but also as a daughter, a mother, and someone who has seen death from many angles. Her anecdotes are fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking. There are moments of quiet humour, moments that make you pause and reflect, and others that are simply unforgettable in their humanity. The science is explained clearly without being simplified or dumbed down, and it’s clear how much respect she has for the people whose remains she works with. She sees each case not just as a puzzle to solve but as the story of a life that mattered. This is not a traditional memoir or textbook. It sits somewhere in between, blending forensic science with personal experience and reflections on life’s biggest questions. It made me think about how we treat death as a society, and how little most of us understand about what happens to our bodies when we’re gone. Rather than being disturbing, I found it oddly reassuring. There is comfort in the idea that death is a part of life, and that even in death, our stories can be told. If you’re curious about forensic science, or you simply want a thoughtful and compassionate exploration of death and what it teaches us about life, this book is a must read. It’s one I will recommend again and again.

Ho scelto di comprare quello usato, con un costo ridotto quasi il doppio del prezzo. La spedizione è stata molto puntuale e le condizioni del libro erano ottime...non saprei neanche distinguere uno nuovo. Grazie!

Sometimes a book with this amount of “science” is hard to read. Not this one. Professor Black writes as she talks. You can almost hear her soft brogue as you read. Grabs you by the hand and leads you through the science, no problem. I laughed as I recognised the Scotland we both grew up in, as we are contemporaries. We both went to Aberdeen university at the same time, she to Sciences and I went to Kings College for Arts. I WISH I had known her then. I actually cried through a few parts of this book, I knew of the conflicts she described - but found tears flowing as her words brought it back to life from the bones of the deceased. The court cases she describes are so interesting, as are her contributions. There are no embellishments, no extras. It is as if she is there, chatting to you. She is an amazing, yet terribly modest woman. Sue Black has written an extraordinary book, a memoir, a history, a social commentary, a call to arms of a sort, a woman’s tale of life,love, hard work & sheer bloody determination. I first “met” Professor Black on the BBC “Cold Case” series ( much loved & how I wish there were more) with her team of brilliant scientists in Dundee University. It was addictive viewing. Not for the slight gore, but for the history they brought alive of the everyday people they investigated, including wonderful facial reconstructions. The world is a far better place for this lovely lady, and thank you Sue for ALL your work and the love and care you put into everything you do. I’m sorry though, I still can’t help but smile at your Uncle and the Heinz Tomato soup. I, myself, am partial to it and when my time comes, would be quite happy to follow his example.. after half a bowl....

Fascinating biography of a very interesting career

Finished last night. Professor Dame Sue Black what an amazing work you have done! Just a BRILLIANT BOOK! Sue Black have changed my perspective about 'death and being dead' through this memoir about her journey as a forensic Anthropologist. For me, a memorable journey through reading ❤️❤️