The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries Audiobook

" I think I would have enjoyed reading more of the actual obituaries. Time to reread 52 McGs. "

" Apparently there are folks out there simply fascinated with reading the obituaries and there are equally unique individuals who enjoy the opportunity to describe the recently departed. This book details how one author's hobby with reading the obits morphs into meeting their authors and attending their small annual conference. The writers describe what drew them into the field and the novel is peppered with samples of various obits. If your only exposure to reading obituraries was noting casually those cited in your local paper, this novel reveals there is a lot more to this art than meets the eye. Many of the obits are attributed to ordinary folk, men and women who left this earth with the joys and failures of us all and the writers who pen their last written tribute take their craft seriously. It was enlightening but, as one would expect, a little on the dry side. Writers, journalists, and lovers of the macarb would probably enjoy reading this work. "

" A brief glimpse of the obituary writers and their 'take' on what they do, how they do it. A quick read. "

" I was disappointed in this book. It was neither as funny or informative as similar non-fiction works I've read (e.g. Stiff), nor did it seem as coherent. "

" A guide to notable obituaries, obituary writers, and obituary sources in newsprint and cyberspace. "

" Very interesting finds re: lost sould & lucky stiffs :) Hits very close to home with my choosen line of work , quite funny, easy read "

" more boring than life or death. "

" Surprisingly humorous especially the first few chapters (I laughed out loud a few times). Made me sad about how traditional newspapers are failing. Overall, a better read than I expected "

" I suppose the writer is a bit preoccupied with the obituary-writing industry, but her title alone is worth the price of admission. "

" introduced me to the unsung art world of obit writing. very inviting and entertaining read. "

" A book about obituaries and obituary writers could've been dark, snarky and loaded with gallows humor but Johnson sets a more interesting tone - admiring and (appropriately) respectful, yet also witty and warm and charming. "

" Wacky, quick read. I thought this book would get me into reading obits, but it's been a couple weeks now and I still haven't read a one. "

" Loved this book! I've always loved reading obituaries and am so happy to learn about this journalistic subculture. I really appreciate the websites and newspapers listed in the appendix. More reading opportunities await! "

" Reallly boring.. has some interesting parts but barely made it through... sooo dull.. like reading a text book. "

" Not as interesting as it sounds. "

" This was the December 2009 Selection by Emilie David "

" I wish I could give this 2.5 stars. Parts of this were really good others not so much. But in all honesty it wasn't what I thought it would be, so maybe thats where the disappointments began. "

" As someone who worked in the newspaper business but at newspapers that didn't employ obit writers, I found the book entertaining. That said, I was hoping for even more outlandish obit stories. I thought it was well researched and well written, but I got bored at times. "

" Many funny bits about the obituary column and it's rabid following. "

" Entertaining look at the cult of obituary readers and writers. "

" Talk about a writers' niche! I'd never thought about the craft of writing obits. Fun, funny, and touching. Some great writing, and love the history of the obit. "

" Pretty interesting, but not much rhyme or reason to the organization of the book. Good for a train read, though. "

" Interesting and witty. Unlike this review. "

" I got the book because the subject matter was different. I loved the book and found myself looking at obit websites and looking for more books about obituary writers. Funny and fascinating, historical and hysterical, sensitive and cynical. I want more by this author! "

" A book about obituaries and obituary writers could've been dark, snarky and loaded with gallows humor but Johnson sets a more interesting tone - admiring and (appropriately) respectful, yet also witty and warm and charming. "

" Amusing look at Obit lovers...I'm personally a fan of them. "

" Not as good as I'd hoped. Needed more actual obits. "

" this book was really interesting, partially because it was clearly written by an insane person and reads like the diary of such. "

" I think I would have enjoyed reading more of the actual obituaries. Time to reread 52 McGs. "

" I guess it is true, you really do learn something new everyday. I had no idea that there were people specifically paid to write obituary's for newspapers or that they had their very own convention. A fascinating and interesting read for sure. "

" Loved this book! I've always loved reading obituaries and am so happy to learn about this journalistic subculture. I really appreciate the websites and newspapers listed in the appendix. More reading opportunities await! "