Dark Archives
Dark Archives
Megan Rosenbloom
Jenny Lawson
So much research. So much focus on the ethics and myths and stories in such a readable way. - Jenny Lawson
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Dark Archives

Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin

Megan Rosenbloom
By
Megan Rosenbloom
4.0
5528
ratings on Goodreads

In the shadowy corners of esteemed libraries and museums lies a secret as unsettling as it is fascinating: books bound in human skin. "Dark Archives" by Megan Rosenbloom takes readers on a gripping journey into the heart of this macabre practice known as anthropodermic bibliopegy. With the precision of a librarian, the curiosity of a journalist, and the keen eye of a historian, Rosenbloom unravels the origins, myths, and ethics surrounding these grisly volumes. From the tales of the individuals whose skin became covers to the modern scientists and librarians decoding their secrets, "Dark Archives" offers a unique window into a seldom-discussed chapter of human history. Crafted with a narrative flair that weaves together detective work, scholarly exploration, and reflections on mortality, Rosenbloom's work is a testament to human curiosity and our complex relationship with death. As much a story about the books themselves as it is about the people involved in their creation and preservation, "Dark Archives" confronts readers with questions of consent, dignity, and the legacy of the human body. This book is not just an exploration of a dark practice but a deep dive into the stories of those who lived and died, and how their afterlives are preserved in the most intimate of artifacts. Megan Rosenbloom's journey is a captivating, thought-provoking exploration of what it means to remember and be remembered, making "Dark Archives" a must-read for anyone fascinated by the intersections of history, science, and ethics.

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Released
2020
20 Oct
Length
275
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

So much research. So much focus on the ethics and myths and stories in such a readable way. - Jenny Lawson
When thinking about anthropodermic books, we can't simply fault the doctors of the past for engaging in behavior that was tacitly or explicitly sanctioned by the laws and mores of their time and place in history; nor can we expect them to retroactively adhere to the deeply important beliefs we now have about informed consent. What we can do, and have a moral obligation to do, is examine the institutions in which these injustices were able to proceed, learn from their mistakes, and critically view the pernicious ways these mindsets might persist in our current society and fight to eradicate them.
— Megan Rosenbloom, Dark Archives

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