Pulitzer Prize winner Deborah Blum is a professor of science journalism at the University of Wisconsin. She worked as a newspaper science writer for twenty years, winning the Pulitzer in 1992 for her writing about primate research, which she turned into a book, The Monkey Wars (Oxford, 1994). Her other books include Sex on the Brain (Viking, 1997) and Love at Goon Park (Perseus, 2002). She has written about scientific research for The Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Discover, Health, Psychology Today, and Mother Jones. She is a past president of the National Association of Science Writers and now serves on an advisory board to the World Federation of Science Journalists and the National Academy of Sciences.
"The Poisoner's Handbook is an inventive history that, like
arsenic, mixed into blackberry pie, goes down with ease."--The New
York Times Book Review "Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and
Gettler and their era with a dedication and exuberance that reflect
the men themselves. Not only is The Poisoner's Handbook as
thrilling as any CSI episode, but it also offers something even
better: an education in how forensics really works."--The
Washington Post "Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a
professor of science journalism at the University of Wisconsin,
skillfully explains the chemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her
book is sure to appeal to mystery lovers, science nerds and history
buffs. . . ."--Associated Press "Fast-paced and suspenseful, The
Poisoner's Handbook breathes deadly life into the Roaring
Twenties."--Financial Times "All the nitty-gritty about death by
arsenic, by thallium, by wood alcohol, is here in precise, gruesome
detail. It makes for a stomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum's
combination of chemistry and crime fiction creates a vicious,
page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than
Madame Curie."--New York Observer "In this bubbling beaker of a
book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion offorensic toxicology, history
and true crime. . . . The Poisoner's Handbook will getinto your
head. You'll find yourself questioning the chemicals in our
everyday lives. What's really in our food, cosmetics, pesticides,
cleaning supplies, children's toys and pet dinners? This isn't just
a good read. It's a summons to study labels, research, think and
act."--Dallas Morning News "The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as
science, as history, asentertainment and as an argument for the
power and purpose of popular science writing."--Milwaukee
Journal-Sentinel "One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White
City . . . a book that gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions
of horrible murders and did it so dexterously and intelligently
that even readers who wouldn't normally read a true crime book were
happily sucked in. Deborah Blum's The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder
and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is that
kind of book."--New Haven Advocate "Blum has cooked up a delicious,
addictive brew: murder, forensic toxicology, New York City in the
20s, the biochemistry ofpoison. I loved this book. I knocked it
back in one go and now I want more!"--Mary Roach, author of Bonk:
The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Stiff: The Curious
Lives of Human Cadavers "The Poisoner's Handbook opens one riveting
murder case after another in this chronicle of Jazz Age chemical
crimes where the real-life twists and turns are as startlingas
anything in fiction. Deborah Blum turns us all into forensic
detectives by the end of this expertly written, dramatic
page-turner that will transform the way you think about the power
of science to threaten and save our lives."--Matthew Pearl, author
of The Last Dickens and The Dante Club "The Poisoner's Handbook is
a wonderfully compelling hybrid of history and science built around
eccentric characters. One scene reads like Patricia Cornwell and
the next like Oliver Sacks. From movie stars and aristocrats to
homicidal grandmothers and entrepreneurial gangsters, from the
government's poisoning of alcohol during Prohibition to the dangers
of radiation and automobile pollution, Blum follows an amazing
array of poignant tragedies through the laboratory of these
crusading public servants.--Michael Sims, author of Apollo's Fire
and Adam's Navel "With the pacing and rich characterization of a
first-rate suspensenovelist, Blum makes science accessible and
fascinating."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Caviar for
true-crime fans and science buffs alike."--Kirkus Reviews
"Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become
fascinatingcrusaders in Blum's fine depiction of their work in the
law-floutingatmosphere of Prohibition-era New York."--Booklist
The Poisoner s Handbook is an inventive history that, like arsenic,
mixed into blackberry pie, goes down with ease. The New York Times
Book Review
Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era
with a dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves.
Not only is The Poisoner's Handbook as thrilling as any CSI
episode, but it also offers something even better: an education in
how forensics really works. The Washington Post
Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a professor of science
journalism at the University of Wisconsin, skillfully explains the
chemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her book is sure to appeal
to mystery lovers, science nerds and history buffs. . . .
Associated Press
Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Poisoner s Handbook breathes deadly
life into the Roaring Twenties. Financial Times
All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by wood
alcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for a
stomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum s combination of chemistry
and crime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads
more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie. New York Observer
In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion
offorensic toxicology, history and true crime. . . . The Poisoner's
Handbook will getinto your head. You'll find yourself questioning
the chemicals in our everyday lives. What's really in our food,
cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children's toys and pet
dinners? This isn't just a good read. It's a summons to study
labels, research, think and act. Dallas Morning News
The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as science, as history,
asentertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of
popular science writing. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City . . . a book
that gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions of horrible
murders and did it so dexterously and intelligently that even
readers who wouldn't normally read a true crime book were happily
sucked in. Deborah Blum's The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the
Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is that kind of
book. New Haven Advocate
Blum has cooked up a delicious, addictive brew: murder, forensic
toxicology, New York Cityin the 20s, the biochemistry ofpoison. I
loved this book. I knocked it back in one go and now I want more!
Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers
The Poisoner's Handbook opens one riveting murder case after
another in this chronicle of Jazz Age chemical crimes where the
real-life twists and turns are as startlingas anything in fiction.
Deborah Blum turns us all into forensic detectives by the end of
this expertly written, dramatic page-turner that will transform the
way you think about the power of science to threaten and save our
lives. Matthew Pearl, author of The Last Dickens and The Dante
Club
The Poisoner's Handbook is a wonderfully compelling hybrid of
history and science built around eccentric characters. One scene
reads like Patricia Cornwell and the next like Oliver Sacks. From
movie stars and aristocrats to homicidal grandmothers and
entrepreneurial gangsters, from the government's poisoning of
alcohol during Prohibition to the dangers of radiation and
automobile pollution, Blum follows an amazing array of poignant
tragedies through the laboratory of these crusading public
servants. Michael Sims, author of Apollo's Fire and Adam's
Navel
With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate
suspensenovelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating.
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike. Kirkus
Reviews
Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become
fascinatingcrusaders in Blum s fine depiction of their work in the
law-floutingatmosphere of Prohibition-era New York. Booklist"
The Poisoner s Handbook is aninventive history that, like arsenic,
mixed into blackberry pie, goesdown with ease. The New York Times
Book Review
Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era
witha dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves.
Not onlyis The Poisoner's Handbook asthrilling as any CSI episode,
but it also offers something even better: an education in how
forensics really works. The Washington Post
Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a professor of
sciencejournalism at the University of Wisconsin, skillfully
explains thechemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her book is
sure to appeal tomystery lovers, science nerds and history buffs. .
. . Associated Press
Fast-paced and suspenseful, ThePoisoner s Handbook breathes deadly
life into the RoaringTwenties. FinancialTimes
All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by
woodalcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for
astomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum s combination of chemistry
andcrime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads
morelike Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie. New York Observer
In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion
offorensic toxicology, history and true crime. . . . The Poisoner's
Handbook will getinto your head. You'll find yourself questioning
the chemicals in oureveryday lives. What's really in our food,
cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children's toys and pet
dinners? This isn't just agood read. It's a summons to study
labels, research, think and act. Dallas Morning News
The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as science, as history,
asentertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of
popularscience writing. MilwaukeeJournal-Sentinel
One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City . . . a
bookthat gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions of horrible
murdersand did it so dexterously and intelligently that even
readers whowouldn't normally read a true crime book were happily
sucked in.Deborah Blum's The Poisoner'sHandbook: Murder and the
Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New Yorkis that kind of
book. New Haven Advocate
Blum has cooked up a delicious, addictive brew: murder,
forensictoxicology, New York Cityin the 20s, the biochemistry
ofpoison. I loved this book. I knocked it back in one go and now
Iwant more! Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of
Scienceand Sex and Stiff: The Curious Livesof Human Cadavers
The Poisoner's Handbook opensoneriveting murder case after another
in this chronicle of Jazz Agechemical crimes where the real-life
twists and turns are as startlingas anything in fiction. Deborah
Blum turns us all into forensicdetectives by the end of this
expertly written, dramatic page-turnerthat will transform the way
you think about the power of science tothreaten and save our lives.
MatthewPearl, author of The Last Dickensand The Dante Club
The Poisoner's Handbook is awonderfully compelling hybrid of
history and science built aroundeccentric characters. One scene
reads like Patricia Cornwell and thenext like Oliver Sacks. From
movie stars and aristocrats to homicidalgrandmothers and
entrepreneurial gangsters, from the government'spoisoning of
alcohol during Prohibition to the dangers of radiation
andautomobile pollution, Blum follows an amazing array of
poignanttragedies through the laboratory of these crusading public
servants. Michael Sims, author of Apollo's Fire and Adam's
Navel
With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate
suspensenovelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating.
PublishersWeekly, starred review
Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike. Kirkus
Reviews
Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become
fascinatingcrusaders in Blum s fine depiction of their work in the
law-floutingatmosphere of Prohibition-era New York. Booklist"
"The Poisoner's Handbook is aninventive history that, like arsenic,
mixed into blackberry pie, goesdown with ease."--The New York Times
Book Review
"Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era
witha dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves.
Not onlyis The Poisoner's Handbook asthrilling as any CSI episode,
but it also offers something even better: an education in how
forensics really works." --The Washington Post
"Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a professor of
sciencejournalism at the University of Wisconsin, skillfully
explains thechemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her book is
sure to appeal tomystery lovers, science nerds and history buffs. .
. ."--Associated Press
"Fast-paced and suspenseful, ThePoisoner's Handbook breathes deadly
life into the RoaringTwenties."--FinancialTimes
"All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by
woodalcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for
astomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum's combination of chemistry
andcrime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads
morelike Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie."--New York
Observer
"In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion
offorensic toxicology, history and true crime. . . . The Poisoner's
Handbook will getinto your head. You'll find yourself questioning
the chemicals in oureveryday lives. What's really in our food,
cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children's toys and pet
dinners? This isn't just agood read. It's a summons to study
labels, research, think and act."--Dallas Morning News
"The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as science, as history,
asentertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of
popularscience writing."--MilwaukeeJournal-Sentinel
"One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City . . . a
bookthat gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions of horrible
murdersand did it so dexterously and intelligently that even
readers whowouldn't normally read a true crime book were happily
sucked in.Deborah Blum's The Poisoner'sHandbook: Murder and the
Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New Yorkis that kind of
book." --New Haven Advocate
"Blum has cooked up a delicious, addictive brew: murder,
forensictoxicology, New York City in the 20s, the biochemistry
ofpoison. I loved this book. I knocked it back in one go and now
Iwant more!"--Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of
Scienceand Sex and Stiff: The Curious Livesof Human Cadavers
"The Poisoner's Handbook opensoneriveting murder case after
another in this chronicle of Jazz Agechemical crimes where the
real-life twists and turns are as startlingas anything in fiction.
Deborah Blum turns us all into forensicdetectives by the end of
this expertly written, dramatic page-turnerthat will transform the
way you think about the power of science tothreaten and save our
lives."--MatthewPearl, author of The Last Dickensand The Dante
Club
"The Poisoner's Handbook is awonderfully compelling hybrid of
history and science built aroundeccentric characters. One scene
reads like Patricia Cornwell and thenext like Oliver Sacks. From
movie stars and aristocrats to homicidalgrandmothers and
entrepreneurial gangsters, from the government'spoisoning of
alcohol during Prohibition to the dangers of radiation
andautomobile pollution, Blum follows an amazing array of
poignanttragedies through the laboratory of these crusading public
servants.--Michael Sims, author of Apollo's Fire and Adam's
Navel
"With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate
suspensenovelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating."
--PublishersWeekly, starred review
"Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike." --Kirkus
Reviews
"Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become
fascinatingcrusaders in Blum's fine depiction of their work in the
law-floutingatmosphere of Prohibition-era New York."--Booklist
"The Poisoner's Handbook is an inventive history that, like
arsenic, mixed into blackberry pie, goes down with ease."--The New
York Times Book Review
"Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era
with a dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves.
Not only is The Poisoner's Handbook as thrilling as any CSI
episode, but it also offers something even better: an education in
how forensics really works." --The Washington Post
"Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a professor of science
journalism at the University of Wisconsin, skillfully explains the
chemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her book is sure to appeal
to mystery lovers, science nerds and history buffs. . .
."--Associated Press
"Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Poisoner's Handbook breathes
deadly life into the Roaring Twenties."--Financial Times
"All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by wood
alcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for a
stomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum's combination of chemistry
and crime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads
more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie."--New York
Observer
"In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion
of forensic toxicology, history and true crime. . . . The
Poisoner's Handbook will get into your head. You'll find yourself
questioning the chemicals in our everyday lives. What's really in
our food, cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children's toys
and pet dinners? This isn't just a good read. It's a summons to
study labels, research, think and act."--Dallas Morning News
"The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as science, as history, as
entertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of
popular science writing."--Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
"One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City . . . a book
that gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions of horrible
murders
"The Poisoner's Handbook is an inventive history that, like arsenic, mixed into blackberry pie, goes down with ease."--The New York Times Book Review
"Blum illuminates these tales of Norris and Gettler and their era with a dedication and exuberance that reflect the men themselves. Not only is The Poisoner's Handbook as thrilling as any CSI episode, but it also offers something even better: an education in how forensics really works."--The Washington Post "Blum, a longtime newspaper writer and now a professor of science journalism at the University of Wisconsin, skillfully explains the chemistry behind Gettler's experiments. Her book is sure to appeal to mystery lovers, science nerds and history buffs. . . ."--Associated Press "Fast-paced and suspenseful, The Poisoner's Handbook breathes deadly life into the Roaring Twenties."--Financial Times "All the nitty-gritty about death by arsenic, by thallium, by wood alcohol, is here in precise, gruesome detail. It makes for a stomach-turning read. . . . .Ms. Blum's combination of chemistry and crime fiction creates a vicious, page-turning story that reads more like Raymond Chandler than Madame Curie."--New York Observer "In this bubbling beaker of a book, [Blum] mixes up a heady potion offorensic toxicology, history and true crime. . . . The Poisoner's Handbook will getinto your head. You'll find yourself questioning the chemicals in our everyday lives. What's really in our food, cosmetics, pesticides, cleaning supplies, children's toys and pet dinners? This isn't just a good read. It's a summons to study labels, research, think and act."--Dallas Morning News "The Poisoner's Handbook succeeds as science, as history, asentertainment and as an argument for the power and purpose of popular science writing."--Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel "One thinks of Erik Larson's Devil in the White City . . . a book that gave splendiferously disgusting descriptions of horrible murders and did it so dexterously and intelligently that even readers who wouldn't normally read a true crime book were happily sucked in. Deborah Blum's The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York is that kind of book."--New Haven Advocate "Blum has cooked up a delicious, addictive brew: murder, forensic toxicology, New York City in the 20s, the biochemistry ofpoison. I loved this book. I knocked it back in one go and now I want more!"--Mary Roach, author of Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers "The Poisoner's Handbook opens one riveting murder case after another in this chronicle of Jazz Age chemical crimes where the real-life twists and turns are as startlingas anything in fiction. Deborah Blum turns us all into forensic detectives by the end of this expertly written, dramatic page-turner that will transform the way you think about the power of science to threaten and save our lives."--Matthew Pearl, author of The Last Dickens and The Dante Club "The Poisoner's Handbook is a wonderfully compelling hybrid of history and science built around eccentric characters. One scene reads like Patricia Cornwell and the next like Oliver Sacks. From movie stars and aristocrats to homicidal grandmothers and entrepreneurial gangsters, from the government's poisoning of alcohol during Prohibition to the dangers of radiation and automobile pollution, Blum follows an amazing array of poignant tragedies through the laboratory of these crusading public servants.--Michael Sims, author of Apollo's Fire and Adam's Navel "With the pacing and rich characterization of a first-rate suspensenovelist, Blum makes science accessible and fascinating."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Caviar for true-crime fans and science buffs alike."--Kirkus Reviews "Formative figures in forensics, Norris and Gettler become fascinatingcrusaders in Blum's fine depiction of their work in the law-floutingatmosphere of Prohibition-era New York."--Booklist
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