
audiobook
In this unsettling yet meticulously researched work, the author gathers an array of historical anecdotes and medical reports that reveal how often people were laid to rest while still breathing. From ancient Egyptian rites to 19th‑century English parish yards, the narrative juxtaposes cultural reverence for the dead with chilling accounts of bodies revived after premature interment. The prose blends scholarly footnotes with vivid storytelling, making each case feel both scholarly and immediate.
Beyond the macabre catalog, the book offers practical guidance for families and physicians, urging careful observation and thorough checks before the final curtain falls. It challenges complacent attitudes toward death, reminding listeners that a single unnoticed breath can change fate. Listeners will come away with a deeper appreciation for the fragile boundary between life and loss, and a renewed vigilance when saying goodbye.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (163K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
London: W. Simpkin and R. Marshall, 1815, pubdate 1816.
Credits
Aaron Adrignola, Gísli Valgeirsson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2023-10-31
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1761–1844
An early 19th-century English writer whose books range from home herbal medicine to microscopy, ghost stories, and practical advice about health and long life. His work has a curious, wide-ranging feel that reflects the popular science and self-help interests of his time.
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