Bernard Knight has a way with words, to put it simply, as he takes the reader back to the twelfth century. With Crowner John de Wolfe as a most human protagonist, one becomes intimately involved in the life of the times. For those who wish to gain knowledge of this period and at the same time enjoy an intriguing mystery, The Awful Secret is the book to read.

Knight's "Forensic Pathology" (2nd ed) is now the standard text in the subject in English. Popular in Europe, USA and Australasia, it has now become the "Bible" of forensic medicine elsewhere, especially Japan. Based on forty-three years of hands'on experience, it is notable for its practicality and caution in avoiding over-interpretation, the primary sin of many pathologists.

Bernard Knight again produces an authentic period mystery in The Grim Reaper. Characters finely drawn, meaning the reader feels as if (s)he knows the people; settings so realistic the reader can almost see, smell and hear what is going on. In addition to all this is an intriguing medieval mystery, true to the times, solved by that all too human protagonist, Crowner John de Wolfe, assisted by his cohort Gwyn and clerk Thomas de Peyne. The Crowner's unsympathetic wife and his mistress Nesta add to this continuing saga set in twelfth century England. A VERY good read!

i want to have a notes about the tachometer and to copy it then send it to the teacher by e-mails

Fifth in the Crowner John de Wolfe series, this book details life in 1194 A.D., including, as always, a glossary at the beginning. In addition to reality of sights, sounds and smells, the author ensures the reader's sympathy with the all too human Crowner, despite his moral failings, as he pursues justice. Enjoy a fascinating mystery as you increase your knowledge of medieval times.

When I first read this book I was so excited and gave it a super high rating. Now that I read the book again for a few times I find it too thin for $45. It doesn't go too far beyond common sense, which makes it easy to read; but I'd expect an introductory book like this to go for under $30. And there are places where the author starts to ramble a little bit, hurting its literary value.

A fun bedtime book nontheless.

I readed a spanish version of this book (available at my universitie's library) about a year ago. I loved the pictures, comparing them with other forensic book's pictures they where much better, and the contents where good enough to me aswell. A few months ago a cousin of mine asked me to reccommend him a forensic book for him to buy it, so I did Bernard Knignt's. I am actually looking forward to acquire the latest edition (which hasnt been released yet)for my own library.

This book transcends science and becomes a work of art. Although brief, it covers all major areas of forensic pathology with authority. The book is very well organized and balanced; its language clear and precise; its illustrations and comments revealing. The book is not intended to be used as a textbook. Rather, its value as an introduction to the field is absolutely unsurpassed.

The play Mrs Warren's Profession was one of Shaws plays unpleasent and he wrote it at a time when many people shyed away from the mojority of political and social issues of the time. Shaw had an ability however to lay down the facts of many things that were happening in society and he often gave the reader or audience a sense of responsibilty that many of the people involved were receiving. In Mrs Warren's Profession he focusses on the hidden world of prostitution without ever mentioning the word or even spelling it out to the reader/audience. With this he is able to descibe the effects it has without crudly embarking on a course of discrimination. All in all it is a powerful piece which shows how women had had influence over the world in all aspects.

The play Mrs. Warren's Profession was good, the main charcter was not Mrs. Warren but her daughter Vivie who goes back in and forth in every act between love and hate for her mother who has been a prostitue and ran some brothels. Vivie is convienced her mother could have made a better choice for herself than prostitution. Mrs. Warren has kept Vivie out of the brothels all of her life and gave her the best in education and up bring. But even though she has done all of that Vivie is not content on being there any longer with her mother. End the end Vivie leaves her mother and Mrs. Warren holds her self together unappoligic for anything she has done. This play was a great example of how women had two choices at the time the play was set in marriage or prostitution which were both forms of slavery. Shaw knew how hard it was for women in society and wanted more for them, than just mother hood and marriage.

Shaw does a wonderful job at showing her "job" without having to tell you. It gives it more of an off limits feel for the job and also makes the listener feel like they are there. Powerful and compelling.

This is a terrible book. It is a hodge-podge of different methods of estimation of the time since death compiled by european professors... The methods described are useless, and highlight that this is an art, rather than a science. For example, the incredible number of nomograms attempting to describe all sorts of conditions a body may be found in, emphasize that judgement and experience are the ultimate determinants of the estimate of the time of death. As a forensic pathologist who does more than 400 cases a year, I know a little bit about the subject. Stick to rules of thumb such as the ones in Spitz's book, and spend your money elsewhere.

The only serious attempt to scientifically address the problem faced by forensic pathologists and to answer the questions that are frequently asked of the examining pathologist by the court.The fact that many factors affect the rate of change post mortem is no surprise. Unfortunately this makes for turgid reading. Spitz's rules of thumb are no more than common sense and good for armchair forensic detectives (such as the previous reviewer?). Knight and Henssge are very respected pathologists in their field; although their book is not particularly user- friendly, anyone with a professional interest in this topic should at least be aware with it.