The Seven Ages of Death

In this fascinating follow-up to 'Unnatural Causes', Dr Richard Shepherd takes us through accounts of death through the ages, from small babies being accidentally killed by errant parents, teenagers falling foul of their struggle to come to terms with life, adults crumbling under the stress of mid-life crises, and the elderly questioning their value to society. Was it suicide, murder, manslaughter, or just bad luck that killed these people? Shepherd shares his vast experience as a pathologist, exploring the anatomical and physiological evidence that helps forensic investigators and courts of law determine what happened during tragic events and who might be held responsible. His eye is always on the yearning for justice of those left picking up the pieces of tragic deaths, and the fact that it's not always possible to resolve these issues to everyone's satisfaction. I read this book in three days, and quoted it so often and with such enthusiasm that my daughter couldn't wait to take up the baton and read it herself. It was initially recommended to me by my son, who's a paramedic. But you don't need any medical background or interest to appreciate the life-affirming content of this book.