Graves of the Great and Famous

As someone who loves books, history, art, sculpture, and all things pop culture, whether it's music, sports, etc.... This one absolutely captivated me. This one is not just a book that shares pictures and information about where famous people are buried - it is so much more: it is a glimpse into the life of people who changed the world, and their lasting legacies, and the way the light they brought to the world continued to shine on, even from their place of burial, as the masses come from all over the world to pay their respects to the people who have changed the world.

"A grave is a monument to life". In Graves of the Great and Famous through 75 entries and 150 enchanting photographs we see a variety of final resting places for great and famous who died of natural causes, from assassinations, suicide, accidents and disease. Some graves are understated and humble, some are laden with engraved meaning, others are garden plots and still others are colourful and massive. Though from different life circumstances, we all have one thing in common...death.

At the beginning of each chapter there is information about a particular category with detailed examples.
Categories include Royals, Politicians, Thinkers, Revolutionaries, Writers, Artists, Musicians and Sports (with subcategories). When traveling in Europe I stroll around beautiful and atmospheric cemeteries and also seek out graves of those known to be in the area. My personal favourites include those of Royals, Thinkers, Writers, Musicians and Artists and I have had the fortune to see many in various burial places (some in this book) such as castles, abbeys, monasteries, church yards and gardens. Interestingly, as the author's research shows, the final burial place may not necessarily be final. Many remans have been moved to a different location, some more than once. A few are forgotten in history and later rediscovered.

Some of the many graves detailed here include the likely gravesite of Vlad the Impaler, the beautiful likeness of Elizabeth I, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Princess Diana in a soothing peaceful park, Galeleo Galilei sans a few body parts (but a gorgeous tomb), imposing grave of Karl Marx at Highgate (whose atmospheric seven subterranean cemeteries also house Dante and George Eliot), Marie and Pierre Curie whose coffins are lined to contain their radioactivity), evocative crosses of Hans and Sophie Scholl next to the prison in which they died for distributing anti-Nazism flyers, Jane Austen's brother's interesting choice of words in her Winchester Cathedral resting spot, Oscar Wilde's unique winged figure in Paris, Franz Kafka in the New Jewish cemetery in Prague, Michelangelo's lovely tomb in Florence, Coco Chanel's meaningful headstone, Chopin in Warsaw, Bob Marley's mausoleum in Jamaica and Judy Garland appropriately in Hollywood.

I really like that the author includes thought-provoking quotes from greats such as Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, Martin Luther and John Keats, Really quite beautiful and profound. This book of surprises not only shows photographs of burial spots but also includes brief stories about the person buried there.

My sincere thank you to Amber Books Ltd. and NetGalley for the privilege of reading and learning from this compelling book.