The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York
Who Would Like This Book:
If true crime, medical mysteries, and a slice of Jazz Age history get your heart racing, this book is right up your alley! Deborah Blum transforms the gritty streets of Prohibition-era New York into a stage where science meets sleuthing. You'll meet the real-life heroes - Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler - who revolutionized forensic science and took on poisoners, corrupt officials, and even government-induced disasters. Each chapter peels back the curtain on notorious poisons, real cases, and engrossing chemistry. If you're a fan of CSI, Boardwalk Empire, or just love learning bizarre facts about old-timey crimes, you'll devour this one.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're squeamish about autopsies or animal testing, be warned: some descriptions are graphic and don't shy away from the messier side of murder investigation. Readers looking for a deep-dive biography of the central scientists or a single, tightly structured narrative might find it a bit scattered, as Blum covers a lot of ground. Some may also feel the focus on Prohibition drags at times or that the scientific explanations could have used a little more peer review. And if you’re hunting for a how-to guide (despite the title!), this is more history lesson than instruction manual.
About:
'The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York' by Deborah Blum is a compelling historical account of the early years of forensic science in New York City during the 1920s and 1930s. The book delves into the misuse of poison, both by criminals and the government during Prohibition, highlighting the research on toxicology by Charles Norris and Alexander Gettler. Blum's writing style is fast-paced and engaging, weaving together murder investigations, poisons, chemistry, and the birth of forensic medicine into a fascinating narrative that explores the dark side of Jazz Age New York.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains graphic descriptions of murders, autopsies, and the effects of poisons on the human body, which may be disturbing for some readers.
From The Publisher:
Equal parts true crime, twentieth-century history, and science thriller, The Poisoner's Handbook is "a vicious, page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie." -The New York Observer
"The Poisoner's Handbook breathes deadly life into the Roaring Twenties." -Financial Times
"Reads like science fiction, complete with suspense, mystery and foolhardy guys in lab coats tipping test tubes of mysterious chemicals into their own mouths." -NPR: What We're Reading
A fascinating Jazz Age tale of chemistry and detection, poison and murder, The Poisoner's Handbook is a page-turning account of a forgotten era. In early twentieth-century New York, poisons offered an easy path to the perfect crime. Science had no place in the Tammany Hall-controlled coroner's office, and corruption ran rampant. However, with the appointment of chief medical examiner Charles Norris in 1918, the poison game changed forever. Together with toxicologist Alexander Gettler, the duo set the justice system on fire with their trailblazing scientific detective work, triumphing over seemingly unbeatable odds to become the pioneers of forensic chemistry and the gatekeepers of justice.
In 2014, PBS's AMERICAN EXPERIENCE released a film based on The Poisoner's Handbook.
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About the Author:
Deborah Blum is director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at MIT, and publisher of Undark magazine, (undark.org). In 1992, she won the Pulitzer Prize for a series on primate research, which she turned into a book, The Monkey Wars….
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