I found this book grotesque at times, but I was also absolutely fascinated. My favorite part of this book was reading about the embalmers! What a tough job. I enjoyed learning about what happens to our bodies at each stage of death. Dying. Just passed. 12 hours later. 1 month later. Etc.

I also enjoyed learning ab0out the different professions dealing with death. Campbell does a fantastic job highlighting all of them. Again, my favorite was the embalmers. The training and skill it must take to do that job, wow! Not for the faint of heart.

Highly recommended book. A lot to learn and appreciate to make death less of a scary subject.

Thanks to Netgalley, Hayley Campbell and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 8/16/22

YES. YES. YES.

Warning: If you have a queasy stomach and don't like reading about dead bodies, body fluids, bodies being taken apart, etc.... DO NOT READ. If you do, proceed.

As a forensic science student, I loved this book. Hayley Campbell interviews several people who work in the death field including a former executioner at a prison and an owner of a crime scene clean-up company. She interviews them with one major question "Why did you choose this career?" and the answers she received surprised me. I loved this book and I absolutely loved her writing style. There was never a dull moment and I was completely engrossed.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity for reading this book in exchange for an honest review.

A wealth of provocative essays on death and dying. Especially enlightening for those who are interested in understanding the nuances and insights sparked by an inquiry into death.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin's Press for an advance copy of this book on living, dying, what comes after and the people involved.

Living is hard, dying is easy. Though as a reader of many fiction and nonfiction books I have read about many last moments that I wouldn't consider easy. However I have never read a book that seems so for these times, a post- pandemic world where sticking heads in the sand like ostriches seems to be de rigueur. And death no matter how we try to fight it, exercise and surgically fight it, will come for us all. So understanding the world of death and what comes of it I think is something that we should start to learn. I can't think of a better place to start then with writer and journalist Hayley Campbell's All the Living and the Dead: From Embalmers to Executioners, an Exploration of the People Who Have Made Death Their Life's Work. I can't remember a book that stayed with me so much well after I finished it, nor one I want to recommend to highly.

The book begins with the author ruminating on death, from looking at sketches in her father's, the comic artist Eddie Campbell, of bodies and murder foul, to the death of a good friend at a young age, and being at a loss of what to feel and what was being shown. From there each chapter focuses on different stages of the corpses we all leave behind after dying, from donating a body to science at the Mayo clinic, to crematoriums and morticians making the body look presentable. Freezers with frozen heads, to maybe return to life, and an American executioner who is as detached, odd and yet very personable, something that I did not every think I would say. The profiles are all different even though they focus on people who don't shy away from the inevitable, though they might have different emotional shields to keep their souls strong.

Many of the profiles, stand out in this informative and beautifully written book. The chapter on the bereavement midwife is the one that got to me most, I couldn't read this chapter without tears and yet this woman does so much, handles so much, and has helped more people than I ever will. Also the one on the funeral director who at the height of AIDS would let in the partners and loved ones of people who the families wouldn't want to acknowledge to see the person they loved one last time. The grave digger who dug is mother's grave. This is a book that tries to make the unfathomable clearer, to take out the sting of death and make it something well not natural or even mundane, but something that just is.

Death, it is sung, don't have no mercy, but many people working to take care of us after death do. The subject might be grim, but this book really is a celebration of life, what it can be, and what we as a people have done to make it such a taboo, even among families facing end of life care. When all you see on social media is the worst of humans it is reassuring to know that their are people, who still think that life, and the shell in which it once resided are worthy of respect, care and love. I can't wait to read more by Ms. Campbell. A phenomenal piece of writing.

If you were ever curious about death and the people that work with the dead, All the Living and the Dead is a must read. It contains a behind the scenes look at the people whose vocations revolve around death on a daily basis. From funeral directors, crime scene cleaners, embalmers, grave diggers, and even cremators. There is something for everyone. But my personal favorites were the embalmer and the cremator. Totally gross, but extremely interesting.

All the Living and the Dead is not a book to read by the faint of heart as it does contain a number of gruesome details for each vocation. Author, Campbell had the distinct pleasure of not only interviewing the people involved, but also having a hands on experience with some of the interviewees. Campbell deftly describes the gory details and at the same time expertly manages to add a human element to an otherwise inhuman narrative.

Exceptionally and beautifully written. Five amazing stars.

I received a digital ARC from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

In a society that sees death as a dirty little secret to be avoided at all costs, Hayley Campbell looks at it right in the face. This book is not about what will come next but about the most pedestrian aspects of dying. What will happen to our bodies, and who are the people who will be there for us. Morticians, cleaners and pathologists, the people who dig up the graves or those who bring dead babies into the world. Did you know that there are companies specialized in mass disasters? Like airplane crashes or tsunamis? How come I’d never thought of that? How did Campbell think to look? The book is very well researched, but it’s written in a way that makes her journey into death approachable. She makes you feel like you’re right there. She’s not squeamish and I’m not sure all readers will be able to get through all the material here. For example, she describes a postmortem in all its gory detail, which I found fascinating but probably would not have been able to stomach myself. But what surprised me the most is that a book that deals with decomposition, embalming, autopsies or executions, could be so poignant and touching. The author writes from a place of vulnerability, curiosity and respect, calling attention to a society that rightfully cheered for first responders during the worst pandemic in a century, but somehow never thought of the people dealing with the many, many dead bodies. She also has a sense of humor, so this is not a depressing read. Lastly, I try to never judge a book by its cover but this must be the most gorgeous one I’ve seen in a while. Five stars!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#St. Martin's Press!

Where are all my morbid people at?

Hayley Campbell covers so much in All the Living and the Dead, and while it’s just under 300 pages, I took my time reading this and letting it all soak in.

She takes us on the front lines with her, observing Mayo Clinic studies, embalmings, autopsies, discussing crime scene cleaning with a top professional, and visiting crematories and funeral homes and more. So much time and research went into this and at times took a mental and physical toll on her. She was so informative yet empathetic, delicate and kind with her words, and her writing felt so genuine.

I read a lot of books about death, but I still walked away from this learning so much and will definitely reread this in the future. If you love Caitlin Doughty’s work, All The Living and the Dead is a must-read that I highly HIGHLY recommend! Thanks to St.Martin’s Press, NetGalley and Hayley Campbell for my eARC. All the Living and the Dead will be available August 16th, don’t worry, I’ll be sure to remind you! 🖤

This book did not live up to the blurb provided.
It was a dry read and did not hold my attention.
Disappointing.

All the Living and the Dead is an engaging read. It honors death and humanity and allows the reader an in depth look at death from an industry in its many forms to the people who encounter it every day; and it is done with the humility, respect, and truth.

The books cover topics and asks questions though expert interviews and examples of history, from embalmers, investigators, professors, former executioners, gravediggers, scientists, detectives, cleaners and so many more.

I loved how the author asked questions that gave a more inclusive and often overlooked aspects of death, how it is processed and how it effects everyone (not just the immediate family of the deceased). The way these stories are told is real, true, and in a respectful way. The author takes the time to allow the reader to feel the humanity, the emotions and the rawness of the topic but also gives the reader a true positive understanding and greater respect for death and its workers.

There is so much heart within these pages, it makes the topic accessible and engaging. I received an ARC via Netgalley and St. Martin's Press and I am leaving an honest review.

I really enjoyed learning about the people who work with the dead and handle their bodies. Each chapter focuses on someone who has a key role in death. It had never occurred to me how many occupations there are in the death industry.
If you have read Mary Roach or any Caitlin Doughty I think you will enjoy this book.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

Have you ever been curious about life after death? Specifically the people who work with the dead and handle their bodies for medical schools, funerals and more? If so, this is the book for you.

Perfect for fans of Mary Roach’s Stiff, this book so humbly explores the professions society pretends not to deal with from embalmers, and morticians, to crime scene cleaners and grave diggers. Campbell takes the delicate subject of death and documents what doesn’t usually get thought of and seen with journalistic integrity and a clear respect for both living and dead.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in life after death and those who work to handle it.

4.5 rounded up

This is such an insightful look into careers most of us will never experience. It highlights and explores death in such a humble way. I really enjoyed this book, but it’s also quite heavy and at times emotional.

Well, the author admits that she has--and has always had--an interest in death, particularly its more morbid effects. And while she takes on writing this book as a way of exploring that urge in herself, it also seems that she does it for the kicks. Even when she's slightly humbled by the care a funeral director takes with a body and has a long moment of parental care take hold when seeing a baby's autopsy, she never convinces the reader--this reader, anyway--that she's ever gotten over the desire to revel in death and to be thrilled by seeing dead bodies. Unlike similar books by Mary Roach or Caitlin Doughty, Campbell's fascination is self-centered and exploitative, making this an uncomfortable read. not because of content, but because of her handling of it.

If you have a morbid side (like me), you'll love Hayley Campbell's All the Living and the Dead: From Embalmers to Executioners, an Exploration of the People Who Have Made Death Their Life's Work. I've always been fascinated by this topic but have never read anything quite as original as this.

Each chapter focuses on someone who has a key role in death. This not includes the professions you typically think of (like funeral directors, embalmers, crematorium operators and gravediggers), but also people who work quietly behind the scenes (like crime scene cleaners) doing something no one else wants to (or has the stomach) to do. Campbell follows these people as they do their unheralded work, writing absolutely fascinating accounts of why each person is in their profession. Some accounts are truly heartbreaking, such as the one of the bereavement midwife.

I loved this book and found myself enthralled with each chapter. All the Living and the Dead takes people right into the death industry, wondering why we allow death to remain so hidden.

MY RATING - 5

This book's expected publication date is August 16, 2022.

Death is a subject that many of us struggle to comprehend, as it brews so much fear of the unknowns. But it is a fact of life, and since it will happen to each of us one day, it is necessary that some of us will need to work in the death industry. We don’t often think of how many have made death a part of their livelihood. Hayley Campbell writes an intriguing book, answering so many questions I didn’t even realize I had. She travels the world, and not only interviews, but also works alongside those who may immediately come to mind, like those in the funeral industry, embalmers, grave diggers, but also many that have never come to my mind, such as a bereavement midwife, executioners, crime scene cleaners, disaster victim identification crews, anatomical pathology technologists, death mask creators, and so many more. It had never occurred to me how many branches are in the death industry. It is deserving of the light that Campbell has shed onto these careers and how these people manage the every day duties that most of us would be unable to carry out. This book may not be for everyone. As one can imagine, some details are quite graphic. Campbell becomes emotionally invested when she finds herself in the depths of PTSD after assisting in an autopsy of an infant. While there were some chapters that were more graphic than others, I found each chapter enlightening. I was anxious to know what the next chapter would bring. I have a profound respect for those who work surrounded by death so that the rest of us can live in our ignorant bliss.

It probably says something about me that I took a break from a rather sad book about race in the US, saw an invitation from Netgalley to read this book, and thought, yes, that would give me a change of pace. But a change of pace it was.

Hayley Campbell provides a fairly comprehensive look at the industry around death--about the behind-the-scenes workers most of us don't give much thought to: the crime scene cleaner, the funeral director, the grave digger, the man in charge of cadaver donations at a well-known research hospital. Most of the stories she relates are those of highly compassionate people and some truly touching stories. Just like we appreciate the firefighters or ambulance drivers and EMTs, we should tip our hats to people who so often work without any thanks.

Ms. Campbell is an outstanding writer and journalist and in All the Living and The Dead, she has created a riveting account of who takes care of us after death has claimed us.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book takes readers on a journey focusing on death and the individuals who deal with it. This book was very insightful.

This was an unexpectedly moving book, thoughtful, candid and insightful. I’ve not been so gripped by this type of non-fiction since I read The Trauma Cleaner.

There are so many aspects in the industry of death and those who deal with it that I would never have imagined. There’s a major company who handles the “clean up” after massive disasters such as plane and train crashes, earthquakes, the Grenfell tower fire; there’s an artist who makes busts from death masks, preferably while they’re still warm in order to keep their likeness close to life; there are midwives who deal exclusively with stillbirths and pre-term deaths (I.e. the death of an underdeveloped fetus) — a chapter that had me in tears a couple of times.

I love Campbell’s writing style. She’s honest, matter of fact, embellishing only where appropriate. She puts herself into the stories and is honest about how she feels, but always lets the situation and the interviewees speak for themselves, whether it be the disaffected loudmouth who cleans up crime scene blood and gore for a living, or the friendly executioner who felt no moral responsibility for the hundreds of lives he’d taken over the decades, before dying of Covid last year.

It’s an excellent book, at times bizarre and funny, but each chapter is a new lesson that made me feel a little more informed about the death trade

From Embalmers to Executioners, an Exploration of the People Who Have Made Death Their Life’s Work.

A well-documented book about Death. The people who deal with death, such as morticians, detectives, crime scene cleaners, embalmers, and the men who carry out executions.

Through interviews with these people, Ms. Campbell tells their stories. Why do they choose to work in such a grim and sad world? But death is part of life and thank goodness we have these people.

I wanted to be a mortician so I can understand her interest in the field. But I wonder too if it changes them in a fundamental way? We are fascinated with death in the Western world. But also terrified of it.

I enjoyed reading about all of these people and it was also very informative.

Good Job!

NetGalley/ August 16, 2022, St. Martin’s Press

All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

A big thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this ARC! Swipe to see the synopsis.

This book was a spectacular work of journalism with only minor complaints. The big questions in this book that were answered - 1) what do you do? 2) why do you do it? And 3) how do you do it? Campbell was thorough in her investigation and provided her sources. (Hello TBR pile). She organized her thoughts and this book in a way that made sense. She let the people who worked in the death industries do the talking with minimal interference from her.

My biggest complaints surrounded around the treatment of the executioner. For the first time, it felt like Campbell had an idea of how she wanted him to answer, and she wasn’t satisfied with the answers provided from him. With all the other characters, the author seemed unbiased and nonjudgmental, but the whole tone shifted when she wrote about the executioner. I have so many questions about this tone shift.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who loved Stiff or similar books. I googled and investigated so many things in this book (looking at you death masks and crime scene cleanups). I closed the book feeling like I had learned. This one comes out in August, and I hope you all read it!