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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts Hardback - 1997

by Penny Colman

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Reader reviews for Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts

From the publisher

Drawing on extensive historical and anthropological research, personal accounts, and interviews with people who work in the funeral industry, Penny Colman examines the compelling subjects of death and burial across cultures and societies. The text, enriched with stories both humorous and poignant, includes details about the decomposition and embalming processes (an adult corpse buried six feet deep without a coffin will usually take five to ten years to turn into a skeleton) and describes the various customs associated with containing remains (the Igala people in Nigeria have a custom of burying people in as many as twenty-seven layers of clothing). Intriguing facts are revealed at every turn; for example, in Madagascar winter was considered the corpse-turning season.

This comprehensive book also includes a list of burial sites of famous people, images in the arts associated with death, fascinating epitaphs and gravestone carvings, a chronology and a glossary, and over a hundred black-and-white photographs, most of which were taken by the author.

Penny Colman writes with compassion and intelligence and humanizes the difficult subjects of death and burial. The result is a powerful look at an inevitable part of life--death.

Details

  • Title Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts
  • Author Penny Colman
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition 1st
  • Pages 224
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Henry Holt & Company, New York, New York, U.S.A.
  • Publication date 1997-12
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780805050660 / 0805050663
  • Weight 1.38 lbs (0.63 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.48 x 7.71 x 0.8 in (24.08 x 19.58 x 2.03 cm)
  • Age range 11 to 14 years
  • Grade levels 6 - 9
  • Reading level 1190
  • Category Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction
  • Library of Congress subjects Death - Social aspects, Funeral rites and ceremonies - History
  • Library of Congress Catalogue Number 97007842
  • Dewey Decimal Code 393.09

About the author

Penny Colman is the author of many award-winning books, among them, Toilets, Bathtubs, Sinks and Sewers: A History of the Bathroom, a New York Public Library Best Book for Teens, and Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Homefront in WWII, an American Library Association Notable Book, a School Library Journal Best Book for Young Adults, and the winner of the Orbis Pictus Honor Award.

A popular guest speaker, Penny Colman lives in Englewood, New Jersey.

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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts

Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts

by Colman, Penny

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  • Hardback
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Henry Holt & Company, 1997. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

by Penny Colman

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  • Hardback
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Holt & Company, Henry, 1997. Hardcover. Very Good. Disclaimer:Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts

Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts

by Colman, Penny

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Henry Holt & Company, 1997. Hardcover. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

by Penny Colman

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  • Very good
  • Hardback
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Very good
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Holt & Company, Henry, 1997. Hardcover. Very Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The spine remains undamaged. The dust jacket is missing. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Hardback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Description:
Henry Holt and Company, 1997-12-15. Hardcover. Very Good. Very good ex-library hardcover reading copy. Book has standard ex-library mylar cover, stamps, stickers, and tape. Pages are clean with some reading wear. Cover is in very good condition with some shelf wear such as minor rubbing. Buy with confidence...customer service is our TOP PRIORITY! Quick Shipping/ Free Delivery Confirmation!
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

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Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Henry Holt and Co, 1997-12-15. First Edition. hardcover. Used: Good. 1.00x1.00x1.00. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts : A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

  • Used
Condition
Used
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
Quantity available
2
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Description:
Holt & Company, Henry. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Henry Holt and Company. hardcover. Good. 7.7x0.9x9.5. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: ; A History of Burial
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Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: ; A History of Burial

by Colman, Penny

  • Used
  • Hardback
  • first
Condition
Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket
Edition
1st Edition; 1st Printing
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780805050660 / 0805050663
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Description:
New York: Henry Holt and Company. 1997. 1st Edition; 1st Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. Hardcover with dustjacket, first printing as indicated by the publisher's "1" in the number line on copyright page, book has a mild corner-crease in the bottom margin of pages 196-199 and is in excellent condition otherwise with no other remarkable flaws, jacket has mild rubbing to the surface which is common with most glossy jackets, it is clean and attractive with no other flaws, the original price is present and a professional (removable) mylar cover is included, "examines the complelling subjects of death and burial across cultures and societies," suitable for young adults ; ; 224 pages . 0805050663 .
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