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This is a riveting and engrossing book about the strange confluence of an American surgeon who served in the Civil War, the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary, and the Victorian's treatment of the criminally insane. I found the book a delight from start to finish-- it is clearly written, well organized, and even the multiple names and dates are easy to follow. I have to complaints. Both a minor but, I think, important. First, St. Elizabeths Hospital in DC (formerly the Government Hospital
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And why this book is offered as a small testament to the late George Merrett of Wiltshire and Lambeth, without whose untimely death these events would never have unfolded, and this tale could never have been told. ~ Simon Winchester
It took a while to get into the story. Once I did, it still wasn't that interesting to me.
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3.5 stars - Very interesting but written with too many tangents that were unnecessary to tell the story.
Nov 30, 2007
Arlene Caruso
marked it as to-read
Dec 09, 2007
Justin Grimes
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Mar 04, 2009
Kirstin
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Dec 22, 2009
Claire
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Jun 29, 2011
Ayla
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Jul 24, 2011
Cole
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Oct 18, 2011
Michelle
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Jul 06, 2012
Maree
marked it as to-read
Oct 19, 2016
Amy
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