S2E4: "Waco Rising" with author Kevin Cook

Our April 2025 pick was “Waco Rising: David Koresh, the FBI, and the Birth of America's Modern Militias" by Kevin Cook. Join the book club, subscribe to the book box, buy a shirt, and more... https://themorbidlycuriousbookclub.com/Shout out to member Jillian for helping me with the outro to this one...Early and ad-free for Patreon members! Get reading vlogs, an exclusive fiction book club, and more: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheMorbidlyCuriousBookClubJoin us for the live show discussion of Waco Rising on the Morbidly Curious Book Club's Facebook, Instagram, and/or YouTube page 4/27 at 7pm EST!"In 1993, David Koresh and a band of heavily armed evangelical Christians took on the might of the US government. A two-month siege of their compound in Waco, Texas, ended in a firefight that killed seventy-six, including twenty-five children. America is still picking up the pieces; we still haven’t heard the full story.Kevin Cook, who revealed the truth behind a mythic, misunderstood murder in his 2014 Kitty Genovese, finally provides the full story of what happened at Waco. He gives readers a taste of Koresh’s deadly charisma and takes us behind the scenes at the Branch Davidians’ compound, where 'the new Christ' turned his followers into servants and sired seventeen children by a dozen 'wives.' In vivid accounts packed with human drama, Cook harnesses never-reported material to reconstruct the FBI’s fifty-one-day siege of the Waco compound in minute-to-minute detail. He sheds new light on the Clinton administration’s approval of a lethal governmental assault in a new, definitive account of the firefight that ended so many lives and triggered the rise of today’s militia movement. Waco drew the battle lines for American extremists—in Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh’s words, 'Waco started this war.' With help from sources as diverse as Branch Davidian survivors and the FBI’s lead negotiator during the siege, Cook draws a straight line from Waco’s ashes to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol and insurrections yet to come.Unmissable reading for anyone interested in the truth of what happened in Texas three decades ago, Waco Rising is chillingly relevant today. Here is the spark that ignited today’s antigovernment militias."About the author: Kevin Cook is the author of more than ten books, including The Burning Blue, Ten Innings at Wrigley, and Kitty Genovese. He has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, GQ, Smithsonian, and many other publications and has often appeared on CNN, NPR, and Fox News. An Indiana native, he lives in Northampton, Massachusetts.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our March 2025 pick was “Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science" by Erika Engelhaupt!Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.comEarly and ad-free for Patreon members! Get reading vlogs, an exclusive fiction book club, and more: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheMorbidlyCuriousBookClubJoin us for the live show discussion of Gory Details on the Morbidly Curious Book Club's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube page 3/30 at 7pm EST!Check out the Archives episode of 18 Tiny Deaths with the author Bruce Goldfarb: https://redcircle.com/shows/17f819be-161a-4326-b504-f9fe87e6dad2/episodes/aaf8ad8f-567c-4a0d-9dce-1c5dc693e877About the book: "Using humor and real science in the tradition of Mary Roach, this narrative illuminates the gross, strange, morbid, and outright absurd realities of our bodies, our earth, and our universe. Filled to the brim with far-out facts, this wickedly informative narrative from the author of National Geographic's popular Gory Details blog takes us on a fascinating journey through an astonishing new reality. Blending humor and journalism in the tradition of Mary Roach, acclaimed science reporter Erika Engelhaupt investigates the gross, strange, and morbid absurdities of our bodies and our universe. From the research biologist who stung himself with every conceivable insect to the world's most murderous mammals, this entertaining book explores oft-ignored but alluring facets of biology, anatomy, space exploration, nature, and more. Featuring interviews with leading researchers in the field and a large dose of wit, this provocative book reveals the most intriguing real-world applications of science in all their glory."Erika Engelhaupt is a freelance science writer and editor based in Knoxville, Tenn. She began her blog, Gory Details, while she was an editor at Science News. She continues the blog at National Geographic, where she was online science editor and managed the Phenomena science blog network. Her work has also appeared at NPR, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Story Collider podcast, and in other newspapers and magazines.Enjoy the episode!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to the Archives bonus episodes!In 2024, I launched this podcast to delve deeper into our book club's nonfiction selections by engaging directly with the authors—the experts behind these compelling works.Over the years, our club has explored some exceptional books, and today, I got the chance to speak with Bruce Goldfarb on his book, "18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Invented Modern Forensics" that the book club read in March 2022!This episode is being released on March 25th, which was Frances Glessner Lee's birthday.About the book: "An enthralling journey into the remarkable life and groundbreaking contributions of a pioneering woman in the field of forensics: In 18 Tiny Deaths, readers are transported to a time when forensic science was in its infancy, and a woman named Frances Glessner Lee emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Through meticulous recreations of crime scenes, Lee revolutionized the way investigators approached criminal investigations, forever changing the face of modern forensics. Bruce Goldfarb's impeccable attention to detail brings Lee's compelling story to life, weaving together elements of history, science, and true crime. Discover how Lee's determination and unwavering passion defied the norms of her era, paving the way for future generations of forensic scientists. With a masterful blend of suspense and historical narrative, 18 Tiny Deaths captivates readers from the first page. Uncover Lee's groundbreaking contributions to forensic science, from her creation of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death―intricate dioramas that challenged investigators' skills―to her influential role in establishing the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard University. This gripping account showcases Lee's enduring legacy, shedding light on her profound impact on modern crime-solving techniques. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the remarkable accomplishments of extraordinary women, 18 Tiny Deaths is a must-read."Bruce Goldfarb is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, USA Today, Baltimore magazine, American Archaeology, American Health, and many other publications. For ten years, Bruce has served as executive assistant to the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland. He was a public information officer for the OCME and curator of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. His first book of popular nonfiction, 18 TINY DEATHS, was released by Sourcebooks in February 2020. Bruce’s next book, OCME, which was released by Steerforth Press in February 2023.Like Bruce mentions in the episode, here are the incredible VR images he has on YouTube. You can pause the video and use the cursor on the top right to look around:Living Room: https://youtu.be/uqr52qQ1i5ABathroom: https://youtu.be/kGVH2MaupU0Kitchen: https://youtu.be/dnpa-vxWMRg Here are the Smithsonian VR images: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/nutshellsEnjoy the episode!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our February 2025 pick was “Tremors in the Blood: Murder, Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector" by Amit Katwala!Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.comEarly and ad-free for Patreon members! Get reading vlogs, an exclusive fiction book club, and more: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheMorbidlyCuriousBookClubJoin us for the live show discussion of Tremors in the Blood on the Morbidly Curious Book Club's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube page 2/23 at 7pm EST!About the book: "Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife’s blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to have her murdered? To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman’s touch. John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer – but the flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt. As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom drama. Touching on psychology, technology and the science of the truth, Tremors in the Blood is a vibrant, atmospheric thriller, and a warning from history: beware what you believe."Amit Katwala is an editor and writer at WIRED, based in London. He works across the UK print magazine and on features, science, and culture. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in experimental psychology.https://www.wired.com/author/amit-katwala/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjoxLjQB9noSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our January 2025 pick was “All That Is Wicked: A Gilded-Age Story of Murder and the Race to Decode the Criminal Mind" by the wonderful Kate Winkler Dawson.Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.comEarly and ad-free for Patreon members! If you'd like to join you can here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/s2e1-all-that-is-120547097?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkStoryGraph page for TW: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dc4c0354-2150-430f-8444-f93a1b548981Kate's latest release: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/727618/the-sinners-all-bow-by-kate-winkler-dawson/About the book: "Acclaimed crime historian, podcaster, and author of American Sherlock Kate Winkler Dawson tells the thrilling story of Edward Rulloff—a serial murderer who was called “too intelligent to be killed”—and the array of 19th-century investigators who were convinced his brain held the key to finally understanding the criminal mind. Edward Rulloff was a brilliant yet utterly amoral murderer, whose crimes spanned decades and whose victims were chosen out of revenge, out of envy, and sometimes out of necessity. From his humble beginnings in upstate New York to the dazzling salons and social life he established in New York City, at every turn Rulloff used his intelligence and regal bearing to evade detection and avoid punishment. He could talk his way out of any crime...until one day, Rulloff's luck ran out. By 1871 Rulloff sat chained in his cell—a psychopath holding court while curious 19th-century "mindhunters" tried to understand what made him tick. From alienists (early psychiatrists who tried to analyze the source of his madness) to neurologists (who wanted to dissect his brain) to phrenologists (who analyzed the bumps on his head to determine his character), each one thought he held the key to understanding the essential question: is evil born or made? Eventually, Rulloff’s brain would be placed in a jar at Cornell University as the prize specimen of their anatomy collection...where it still sits today, slowly moldering in a dusty jar. But his story—and its implications for the emerging field of criminal psychology—were just beginning. Expanded from season one of her hit podcast on the Exactly Right network (7 million downloads and growing), in All That Is Wicked Kate Winkler Dawson draws on hundreds of source materials and never-before-shared historical documents to present one of the first glimpses into the mind of a serial killer—a century before the term was coined—through the scientists whose work would come to influence criminal justice for decades to come."A little about Kate: she was the field producer for Fox News Channel in San Francisco, where she covered many atrocities. She’s also reported on local crime stories in London, New York, Boston, and San Francisco. She says, “None of them were pleasant but all were intriguing.” Speaking of London, back in college, she was a reporter for UPI in London for about six months where she studied the history of the city, including the Great Smog of 1952, one of the most intriguing periods in London’s history. Her father was a criminal law professor at the University of Texas in Austin for almost two decades. And fun fact, they both started teaching at the age of 28—he at UT and her at Fordham University in New York. In 2003 he decided to start a clinic to investigate cases of innocence aptly titled the Actual Innocence Clinic. She settled back home in Austin in 2005 after working as a writer and producer at WCBS and ABC News Radio in New York. When her father died, she became involved in the clinic and organized a quote, “metaphorical bridge between UT’s journalism school and the law school class” Here she co-taught the clinic for several years: “My journalism students learned about investigating cases and law students learned basic journalism skills.” I escorted them into prison to interview prisoners; the students bristled at the sign that read: “We will shoot all hostages past this point.” We went over case files, searched court records, and filed public information requests. She says it was one of her favorite classes. In my other life away from writing books, I’m a senior lecturer in broadcast journalism at UT-Austin. I’ve also produced almost two-dozen documentaries including longer form pieces for Nightline, WCBS and Fox as well as independent films. I consider myself a good storyteller, but I suppose you’ll be the judge.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome friends to SEASON 2!With 2024 now [almost] behind us, it's time to prepare for our 2025 reading year and companion podcast!Here is our 2025 lineup:January "All That Is Wicked: A Gilded-Age Story of Murder and the Race to Decode the Criminal Mind" by Kate Wrinkler DawsonFebruary "Tremors in the Blood: Murder, Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector" by Amit KatwalaMarch "Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science" by Erika EngelhauptApril "Waco Rising: David Koresh, the FBI, and the Birth of America's Modern Militias" by Kevin CookMay "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" by Mary RoachJune "Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail" by Andrea LankfordJuly "The Butchering Art: Joseph Lister's Quest to Transform the Grisly World of Victorian Medicine" by Lindsey FitzharrisAugust "Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life by Getting Real about the End" by Alua ArthurSeptember "In the Mouth of the Wolf: A Murder, a Cover-Up, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press" by Katherine CorcoranOctober "Ghostland: An American History in Haunted Places" by Colin DickeyNovember "Nine Pints: A Journey Through the Money, Medicine, and Mysteries of Blood" by Rose GeorgeDecember "The Unclaimed: Abandonment and Hope in the City of Angels" by Pamela Prickett and Stefan TimmermansThank you for being here with me on this journey. I cannot wait to discuss these titles with you, and chat with these incredible authors! Which title are you most excited for? Have you read any already? Let me know!Cheers!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our November book was Boys Enter the House: The Victims of John Wayne Gacy and the Lives They Left Behind by David NelsonJoin us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.comAs investigators brought out the bagged remains of several dozen young men from a small Chicago ranch home and paraded them in front of a crowd of TV reporters and spectators, attention quickly turned to the owner of the house. John Gacy was an upstanding citizen, active in local politics and charities, famous for his themed parties and appearances as Pogo the Clown.But in the winter of 1978–79, he became known as one of many so-called "sex murderers" who had begun gaining notoriety in the random brutality of the 1970s. As public interest grew rapidly, victims became footnotes and statistics, lives lost not just to violence, but to history.Through the testimony of siblings, parents, friends, lovers, and other witnesses close to the case, Boys Enter the House retraces the footsteps of these victims as they make their way to the doorstep of the Gacy house itself.David Nelson is a Chicago-based author whose fiction has been published in the Rappahannock Review, the Tishman Review, and Another Chicago Magazine. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and received honorable mentions from Glimmer Train. His coverage of ongoing war crime trials and the DNA identification process for victims of the Balkans conflicts was published by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our October book is Goodbye Hello: Processing Grief and Understanding Death through the Paranormal by Adam Berry.  Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.comFrom paranormal investigator and host of Kindred Spirits Adam Berry comes Goodbye Hello, which blends supernatural and psychological research to explore the paranormal and afterlife to try and help answer big questions about the end.Death affects us all—not just at the end of our lives, but every day. And yet, it’s one of the most feared and misunderstood things we face. But what if there was a way to know more and use that knowledge to inform our daily lives? The first of its kind, Goodbye Hello blends supernatural research with psychology to explore death and grief. Written by paranormal investigator and star of Kindred Spirits and Ghost Hunters Adam Berry, this book will not only entertain but offer comfort to those struggling to come to terms with loss, grief, and the end of life.Goodbye Hello answers questions such as: Why do spirits linger around in this world? Is there a “light” at the end of the tunnel? Can you connect with spirits in your dreams? How do you prepare for what’s next? Featuring incredible stories of real people who connected with the spirits of loved ones as well as interviews with paranormal experts Amy Bruni, Chip Coffey, and many more, Goodbye Hello helps you understand where you go after this life and why some stick around. Whether you want to believe in the afterlife, don’t believe in it at all, or just want to come to your own conclusions, Goodbye Hello is the ultimate paranormal guide for you.Adam Berry is the co-star and Executive Producer of the hit television series Kindred Spirits now on Travel Channel. Adam’s love and passion for the paranormal ignited from an extremely haunting experience he had in Gettysburg PA. After many years of studying, research and founding his own paranormal research team with his husband Ben Berry he was asked to join the SyFy Channel original series Ghost Hunters Academy. This competition reality show tested the strengths of investigators from around the country and Adam proved to be the best of the best by winning and was awarded a spot on the TAPS team and the original series Ghost Hunters. Adam likes to say he was awarded Amy Bruni as his prize because the two paired up and have since became a paranormal powerhouse. With similar beliefs and styles Adam and Amy possess the capabilities to connect with those in the after life with uncanny accuracy. Focusing on helping families and spirits alike, they have traveled the country changing the way the world thinks about ghosts and what happens after we shuffle off this mortal coil.When Adam isn’t looking for ghosts he is the Executive Director of Peregrine Theatre Ensemble, a non-profit theater company based in Provincetown MA. This educational summer theater program produces some of the most spectacular musicals and plays on the Cape while also nurturing young actors in a professional working environment.Adam also sits on the board of directors for “Tim’s Fund”, a non-profit scholarship program created to support social activists who change the world through art, music, literature and filmmaking.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Our September pick for The Morbidly Curious Book Club was "Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History" by Bill Schutt.Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.com For centuries scientists have written off cannibalism as a bizarre phenomenon with little biological significance. Its presence in nature was dismissed as a desperate response to starvation or other life-threatening circumstances, and few spent time studying it. A taboo subject in our culture, the behavior was portrayed mostly through horror movies or tabloids sensationalizing the crimes of real-life flesh-eaters. But the true nature of cannibalism--the role it plays in evolution as well as human history--is even more intriguing (and more normal) than the misconceptions we’ve come to accept as fact.In Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History, zoologist Bill Schutt sets the record straight, debunking common myths and investigating our new understanding of cannibalism’s role in biology, anthropology, and history in the most fascinating account yet written on this complex topic. Schutt takes readers from Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains, where he wades through ponds full of tadpoles devouring their siblings, to the Sierra Nevadas, where he joins researchers who are shedding new light on what happened to the Donner Party--the most infamous episode of cannibalism in American history. He even meets with an expert on the preparation and consumption of human placenta (and, yes, it goes well with Chianti).Bringing together the latest cutting-edge science, Schutt answers questions such as why some amphibians consume their mother’s skin; why certain insects bite the heads off their partners after sex; why, up until the end of the twentieth century, Europeans regularly ate human body parts as medical curatives; and how cannibalism might be linked to the extinction of the Neanderthals. He takes us into the future as well, investigating whether, as climate change causes famine, disease, and overcrowding, we may see more outbreaks of cannibalism in many more species--including our own.Cannibalism places a perfectly natural occurrence into a vital new context and invites us to explore why it both enthralls and repels us...Bill Schutt is an Emeritus Professor of Biology at LIU Post and a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History. His newest non-fiction book, Bite: An Incisive History of Teeth, from Hagfish to Humans will be published on August 13, 2024. Bite has already garnered a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.Pump: A Natural History of the Heart was published in September 2021 and is currently available everywhere books are sold. Pump received great reviews from Publisher’s Weekly (starred review), Kirkus Reviews, The Wall Street Journal, Cool Green Science, and elsewhere. Schutt’s Cannibalism: A Perfectly Natural History, garnered widespread raves from The New York Times (Editor’s Choice) The Boston Globe and a long list of reviewers. Schutt’s first popular science book, Dark Banquet: Blood and the Curious Lives of Blood-Feeding Creatures, was selected as a Best Book of 2008 by Library Journal and Amazon, and was chosen for the Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers program.Schutt’s first novel, Hell’s Gate, was published in 2016. The Himalayan Codex  (R.J. MacCready novel #2) followed in June 2017 and The Darwin Strain (R.J. MacCready novel #3) made its debut in August 2019.Born in New York City and raised on Long Island by parents who encouraged his love for turning over stones and peering under logs, Schutt quickly grew a passion for the natural world, with its enormous wonders and its increasing vulnerability.Schutt received his Ph.D. in zoology from Cornell and held a post-doctoral fellowship at the AMNH where he received a Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Grant. He has published over two dozen peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from terrestrial locomotion in vampire bats to the precarious, arboreal copulatory behavior of a marsupial mouse. His research has been featured in Natural History, The New York Times, Newsday, The Economist, and Discover. Schutt lives on Long Island with his wife and son.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.com“It might come as a surprise to know that, for millennia, people all over the world have actively cultivated a relationship with death, as an important part of both living and dying well. Shamans and priests acted as psychopomps—literally, soul guides—to help people move through the death process. People consulted ‘books of the dead,’ guides to preparing for a good death and after-life experience. And Those who learned to know death, rather than to fear and fight it, become our teachers about life. our ancestors utilized memento mori (Latin for “remember you must die”), which were objects, works, or practices meant to remind them of their death in order to encourage them to live the life they truly wished, before it was too late. Paradoxically— or so it might seem to us—by forging a relationship with death, our ancestors mitigated their fear of it, and were able to live fuller and more meaningful lives.” In our modern culture, talking about death is often deemed morbid, or even taboo. But not long ago, contemplation of death was widely used as a powerful tool for countering fear, putting the difficulties of life in perspective, and helping you live according to your higher values. Now scientists, psychologists, and spiritual leaders agree - it’s key to living a life with meaning. This life-changing book will lead you on a 12-week program to befriend death in your own way, creating your own personal, daily meditation on what it means to be mortal. Filled with lessons learned across cultures and with the help of insightful prompts and questions, Memento Mori will help you both come to terms with what death means and to live alongside it without fear. In doing so, you will see your own in a new light and discover what makes life worth living, swapping anxiety for joy. As our ancestors knew so well, there’s no better motivation to seize the day than a regular reminder that your days are numbered.Follow Memento Mori on a journey of authentic self-discovery and transformation. Whether you're currently experiencing grief or loss, facing your own mortality, or simply seeking a deeper understanding of the profound mysteries of existence, this book offers invaluable insights to help you navigate your life with courage, resilience, and meaning.Joanna Ebenstein founded Morbid Anatomy as a blog in 2007. An award-winning curator, photographer, graphic designer and author, her books include Memento Mori: The Art of Contemplating Death to Live a Better Life, Anatomica: The Exquisite and Unsettling Art of Human Anatomy and Death: A Graveside Companion. Joanna teaches a number of popular classes for Morbid Anatomy on topics ranging from death and art to exploring creativity and ambivalent deities. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Morbid Anatomy Online Journal. Her paternal grandparents were emigres from Hitler’s Vienna, and her ancestor Judah Loew ben Bezalel was credited with creating the Golem in 16th century Prague. She is a proud member of The Order of the Good Death, and her TEDx Talk—Death as You've Never Seen it Before—has been viewed over 16,000 times.Links:https://www.joannaebenstein.com/https://www.joannaebenstein.com/books-articleshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FBFvWc7zf0Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-morbidly-curious-book-club-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy