14 May 2014

The Empire of Death



I have sprinkled my coins on some books again. This decorative volume by Paul Koudounaris is on my bedside book stack right now and I thought you might enjoy a glimpse! I have a strong fascination towards the history of burial rites and charnel houses (working at the graveyard for many summers didn't really erase that macabre trait), and this book offers tons more information on the subject. It even has a vast list and maps of the sites around the globe, I had no idea Europe has so many!

The only ossuary I've seen with my own eyes is Sedlec Ossuary in Kutna Horà (you can find a post about it in here). Twice I've been to Paris and twice I've failed to visit the famous catacombs (although I did get a good look on Père Lachaise), maybe third time's the charm?

27 comments:

  1. Oih! *__*
    Vaikuttaa todella kiehtovalta kirjalta ja aivan ihana ulkoasu ja kuvitus! ♥
    Kuolema ja siihen liittyvät riitit ja kaikki on yhtä iso asia olemassaoloa kuin elämä. On tosi mielenkiintoista miten eri kansat ja aikakaudet on siihen suhtautuneet, tämmöisenä historiahöpönä se on hyvin tärkeää, koska esim haudat ja muut jäänteet kertovat niin paljon edesmenneistä ajoista.

    ~ Frillycakes ~

    ~ Frillycakes ~

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    1. Samanlainen historiahöpö täällä! :) Ihan miellyttävä opus on kyllä, kuvat erityisesti kauniita ja tietoakin löytyi lisää.

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  2. That's so lovely! This book has been on my to buy list since I first heard about it several months before its publication but I still haven't gotten around to picking it up.

    This post has reminded me to get it and I think I'll do that tomorrow. Thank you so much!

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    1. No problem Mike, I hope you like the book!

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  3. I think you will be interested in this movie which I highly recommend: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1069238/

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    1. Thanks so much for the link, looks interesting and I hope I can check it out through some channel. Even better if it contains cello music, it's my favourite instrument!

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  4. Whoa, mikä kirja! Mahtava!

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  5. Vilkaisepas Yle Fem kanavalta tulevaa dokumenttisarjaa kuolemasta, ekat neljä jaksoa löytyy vielä Areenasta. Erityisesti tää toinen jakso (http://areena.yle.fi/tv/2196239), jossa käsiteltiin eri kulttuurien uskomuksia kuolemanjälkeiseen elämään, oli mielenkiintoinen :)

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    1. Kiitti paljon linkistä, olisi mennyt muutoin multa ohi! :)

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  6. This book looks great, I definitely have to check it out! I've never been to the ossuary in Kutna Horà but I want to go there so badly, but I've been to the catacombs in Paris and you really need to make sure to visit it. The atmosphere is quite special, not as creepy as I expected it ... maybe because of the - slightly annoying ... - other tourists who tend to pick up bones or skulls. But it's nevertheless great.

    Hope you post again soon because I reallyreally enjoy your blog and all the beautiful pictures!

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    1. Good to hear some experiences on the catacombs! I'm sure they're impressive, I'd love to see them.

      And thank you kindly for your words, they mean a lot to me <3

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  7. This looks beautiful! I may have to acquire a copy myself.

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  8. Historian ja arkeologian alan ihmisenä kehottaisin suhtautumaan ko. teokseen kriittisesti. Kuvitus on toki kaunis, mutta "kirjailija" tekee alalle aika paljon hallaa omalla toiminnallaan.

    Jos ihan varteenotettava kuolemantutkimus kiinnostaa, niin suosittelen tutustumaan esimerkiksi Suomalaisen kuolemantutkimuksen seuran toimintaan. http://kuolemantutkimus.com/

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    1. Perustelisitko? Itsekin kiinnostuin kirjasta, mutta kommenttisi kiinnostaa myös:)

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    2. Kiitos linkistä! Ja muakin kiinnostaisi kuulla millä lailla kirjailija luo toiminnallaan hallaa? Tiedossani oli jo se että heppu on taidehistorian saralla oppinsa saanut, joten tietysti kirjaa pitää lukea sen pohjalta, mutta jos joku syvempi syy varoitukseesi löytyy niin ihan mielellään kuuntelen. :)

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  9. This book is in my wishlist now. The catacombs in Paris are great whit small group, when there are too many tourists that's annoying. Can I ask you what nal polish do you wear ? It's a beautiful dark red.

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    1. Hi Elodie! I wore GOSH's nail polish in the shade Night Kiss, it's a very dark red that grows almost black if you paint two layers. :) One of my faves.

      I can imagine that the catacombs aren't that great with large groups, loud tourists are annoying enough above the ground, so I can only imagine the feeling beneath it!

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  10. That book looks fantastic! I have been to the catacombs in Paris---they only let you go in a small portion of what there actually is---and I found it so fascinating.

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    1. It's good to hear experiences on the catacombs, someday I'll make my way there. :)

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  11. Hello, I completely love Your blog :) Both text and photos are stunning! And You have artistic talent too! I know You get like milion of this kind of comments, but I would like to nominate Your blog to Liebster Blog Award :) For doing awesome job on Your blog :) Of course You don't have to participate in this :) Just want You to know, I love Your blog ;) Best regards,
    A.t.
    http://too-sweet-27.blogspot.com/2014/05/liebster-award.html

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    1. I appreciate each nomination equally (although I don't really participate in them), so thank you A.t.! <3

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  12. Oh!! I heard about this book project long ago. so it's finally finished. Thanks for a good book tip :)

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    1. No problem! It seems like I've been living in the dark again, hadn't heard of this book before I bought it. :D

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  13. I want this book! *--*
    http://lilithstyleandbeauty.blogspot.com.br/

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