A is for Arsenic: An ABC of Victorian Death

nWritten by Chris Woodyard, the author of The Victorian Book of the Dead, A is for Arsenic is a guide to the the basics of Victorian mourning and death all illustrated by the incomparable Landis Blair. Each entry includes a pen and ink illustration along with 19th century anecdotes ranging from macabre stories to jokes from the Victorian press. (Plus sinister little poems in homage to Edward Gorey.) n n nn nA is For Arsenic covers topics including post-mortem photography, embalming, bodysnatching tips, what to wear when in mourning, and how long to mourn for someone who has left you money in their will. The book also debunks several Victorian mourning myths. n n nn nThere are 26 alphabetical entries-from Arsenic to Zinc, (see below) along with an informative glossary, appendix, and detailed bibliography. Here are the topics: A - Arsenic; B - Bier; C - Crape; D - Death Token; E - Embalming; F - Fisk Burial Case; G - Gates Ajar; H - Hearse; I - Ice Box; J - Jet; K - Keen; L - Lychgate; M - Mute; N - Necropolis; O - Obelisk; P - Post Mortem; Q - Queen Victoria; R - Resurrection Men; S - Shroud; T - Tear Bottle; U - Undertaker; V - Veil; X - Sexton; W - Weepers; Y - Churchyard; Z - Zincn nAppendix: Mourning Etiquetten nGlossaryn nBibliography n n nn nChris Woodyard, author of The Victorian Book of the Dead, answers your dead-serious questions including: n n nn nHow long should you mourn for someone who left you money in their will?n nWhy did body snatchers strip a body before carrying it away?n nWhat was a coffin torpedo?n nWere mourning clothes poisonous?n nWhat is inheritance powder?n nWho killed off keening?n nWhat is dead water?n n nn nAn A to Z delight for lovers of the macabre! n