Dead Men Do Tell Tales, by William R. Maples and Michael Browning

Although dated--the pub.date is 1994--the information here is very interesting from more than just an historical standpoint. Maples is an icon in the field of forensics, and his career has covered everything from African anthropology to determining the identity of bones found outside Ekaterinburg in Russia.

Yes, big names are dropped--the Romanovs, Francisco Pizarro, Joseph Merrick--but the joy I found in this book is Maples commitment to the people who once inhabited those bones. It's quite clear that it doesn't matter to him if the bones are from An Important Person or from a soldier who died anonymously overseas, or a murdered young woman. The important thing for him is bringing closure to the family and loved ones left behind...and therefore bringing restored dignity to the person's name.

Lovely writing, wonderful book.