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Memento Mori

The Dead Among Us
4.56 goodreads logo

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( 450 ratings, 54 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Memento Mori by Paul Koudounaris is a richly illustrated exploration of death and remembrance across different cultures. It delves into the ways societies honour and commemorate the deceased, with vivid photographs and engaging narratives that highlight the diversity and beauty of funerary art and customs worldwide. The book serves as both an educational resource and a visual journey through the global history of human mortality.
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Format: Hardback
$6099
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you have an interest in exploring unique historical sites and delving into the cultural significance of death and memorials around the world. With its captivating photography and informative text, it offers a fascinating journey through different countries and eras, providing educational insights into how humanity honours and remembers the deceased.

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First published in the UK and the US in 2015 by Thames & Hudson.

A macabre, spectacular and thought-provoking survey of human remains used in decorative, commemorative or devotional contexts across the world today, from the author of Heavenly Bodies and The Empire of Death.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A macabre, spectacular and thought-provoking survey of human remains used in decorative, commemorative or devotional contexts across the world today, from the author of Heavenly Bodies and The Empire of Death.

Memento Mori takes the reader on a ghoulish but beautiful tour of some of the world's more unusual sacred sites and traditions, in which human remains are displayed for the benefit of the living. From burial caves in Indonesia festooned with bones, to skulls smoking cigarettes, wearing beanie hats and sunglasses, and decorated with garlands of flowers in South America, Paul Koudounaris ventures beyond the grave to find messages of hope and salvation.

His glorious colour photographs and informed commentaries reveal that in many places, the realms of the living and the dead are nowhere near so distinct as contemporary Western society would have us believe.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

This book is praised for its captivating yet unsettling exploration of the subject of death, with stunning visuals and literary content that deeply engages readers. Descriptions highlight its ability to make a significant impact, creating a visceral and thought-provoking experience.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780500252611

Publisher: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 07 April 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Thames & Hudson Ltd

Illustration: Illustrated throughout

Audience: Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Width: 187.0mm

Height: 280.0mm

Weight: 1150g

Pages: 216

About the Author

Paul Koudounaris has a doctorate in Art History from the University of California and has written widely on European ossuaries and charnel houses for both academic and popular journals. He is also the author of Heavenly Bodies and Empire of Death, both published by Thames & Hudson.

Also by Paul Koudounaris

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  • Faithful Unto Death
    The remarkable stories of beloved pets - from the famous and unusual to the everyday - memorialised at burial sites around the world, accompanied by a rich selection of archival photos and the author's evocative images of their final resting places. When a little dog named Cherry died in 1881, his owners arranged for a grave in a nearby gatekeeper's...
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  • Heavenly Bodies
    In 1578, a labyrinth of underground burials was discovered in Rome, containing the remains of thousands of individuals assumed to be early Christian martyrs. The bones were disinterred and sent to many Catholic churches and religious houses in German-speaking Europe to replace holy relics destroyed during the Protestant Reformation. Reassembled by skilled artisans, encrusted with gold and jewels, and richly...
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  • The Empire of Death
    In this tour de force of original cultural history, Paul Koudounaris takes the reader on an unprecedented international tour of macabre and devotional architectural masterpieces in nearly 20 countries. This book brings together the world's most important charnel sites, ranging from the crypts of the Capuchin monasteries in Italy and the skull-encrusted columns of the ossuary in Γ‰vora in Portugal,...
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