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Tuesday, July 6, 2010

BOOK REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!!!

How To Mellify a Corpse (And Other Human Stories of Ancient Science & Superstition), by Vicky Leon



History, mythology, science, cosmetology, superstition...This book’s got it all!  This was my first time reading a book by Vicky Leon- and- I swear it won’t be the last!
I had no idea what I would be getting from a book with a title as unusual as this one.  I was almost afraid it might be too scientifically morbid, or maybe too technical...WOW- I couldn’t have been more off!
This is a FANTASTIC book! How To Mellify a Corpse is definitely the most fascinating and (yes) exciting history read ever.  
Just released today, this tiny 7” x 7”, 300 page book is filled to the rim with stuff I had never even heard about. So at this point, I must give you some examples of shocking truths I was unaware of...For one, lead was the ‘in thing of the day- they used it for almost everything; from sweetener (gasp!) to fermenting agent, to cosmetics and dental work too (shocked!).  Also, I finally got to learn the origin of the ‘evil eye’ myth and who might be most susceptible.  Last, but in no way least, the connection between honey, mollifying and Alexander The Great, finally clicked- unbelievable stuff!
There is so much material covered in this book that will keep you glued (pun;) and completely awestruck.  A cross between senseless ideas that made so much sense; to the simplest of creations that breathe pure genius, How To Mellify a Corpse makes reading about ancient history fun and entertaining. Vicky Leon’s history knowledge is impressive as well as immeasurable.  Backed by an incredible amount of research and accuracy, How to Mellify a Corpse offers an ocean of historical information that’s actually a blast to read!
I highly recommend this book and am bumping it way up my list of most favourite non-fiction reads.
I now look forward to reading another of Leon’s top notch books: Uppity women of The Renaissance (I can’t imagine what concoctions they were upto!)
Entertaining, Fascinating, Original and Educational as well ... I am so impressed with how good this book is!
And now...Here's a GIVEAWAY!!!  2 of my lucky Winners will win a copy of this fabulous book!! A great big Thank You goes to Walker Publishing Company and Allie Greenwald:)
To Enter:  MUST BE A FOLLOWER of this blog.  OPEN to Canada and US ONLY 
1 extra chance every time you tweet, Facebook, blog about this.
5 extra points for putting this on your sidebar.
 Winners Announced July 17th
GOOD LUCK!!!  


45 comments:

  1. Sounds fascinating! Thanks for entering me.

    estrella8888 at roadrunner dot com

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  2. I enjoy books like this, with lots of interesting bits of knowledge. Thanks for the giveaway. I am a follower, thru Google Reader.

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. I'm a follower.
    It will be on my sidebar at www.brokenteepee.blogspot.com

    thanks
    kaiminani at gmail dot com

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  4. I posted to my facebook
    http://www.facebook.com/#!/pattyleonardwoodland?v=wall&story_fbid=142837505726987
    thank you
    kaiminani at gmail dot com

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  5. Ohhh ohh! Sounds really interesting! Enter me, please :)

    Tweeted here :)
    http://twitter.com/FleurDeMar/status/17880494842

    I'm a follower under my Google account.

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  6. Glad to hear it wasn't too morbid- the title might have put me off. Sounds very intriguing, though.

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  7. Sounds like a fascinating read. Please enter me to win.

    I follow.

    fmlj94[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  8. This book sounds like one I wouldn't be able to put down. Please enter me in the contest.

    heatherdpear at hotmail dot com

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  9. Your review really makes me want to read it. I never knew any of that stuff. It would help to know something as I read historical novels. I would love to win it.

    teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  10. I have Mellifying the Corpse in my sidebar linking back to you.

    teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. I tweeted one time on Topazshell.

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  12. Thank you for entering me. I'm a follower. =)
    tiredwkids at live dot com

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  13. Hey Lucy - great review. I look forward to reading this. I love when they make non-fiction fun. Please enter me for this giveaway. I put it on my sidebar http://www.themaidenscourt.blogspot.com and tweeted http://twitter.com/dolleygurl/status/17898002861. And of course I am a follower.

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  14. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. I visited her site today and spent a delightful 30 minutes or so. I enjoyed her wit and humor so much and actually learned quite a bit. I am going to be looking for her other books.

    Thank you for the Giveaway.

    I am a Follower.

    librarypat AT comcast DOT net

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  16. looks good...i facebooked it...hope it helps

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  17. OOOhhhh please enter me! I love all of Vicki's books! Thanks so much!
    I am a follower! :-)

    tiger_fan_1997 at yahoo dot com

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  18. This sounds like a fascinating book. I'm so glad to have found your site - I'm enjoying reading some of your past reviews. Thanks!

    onebookshy (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  19. I follow you on my Google Reader! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

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  20. I would enjoy reading this. I am scientifically oriented as are my 2 sons and they love unusual facts.

    I follow your blog.

    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. I follow on GFC and would love to read this one.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

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  22. I'd love to readthis one. Sounds great

    I follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  23. I'm a follower. This sounds so interesting. I love learning things like this.

    hewella1 at gmail dot com

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  24. Great review Lucy! Please enter my name in the giveaway - I'd love to check this one out!

    I'm a follower :)

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  25. Hey Lucy! I have been collecting all of Vicki Leon's books for years. They sit proudly on my bookshelf. So I'd dearly love to win this. I've added the book with your link on http://historyandwomen.blogspot.com, http://historicalnovelreview.blogspot.com, and http://scandalous-books.blogspot.com.

    I've also tweeted this on all three of my Twitter Accounts! Always with a link to your blog.

    My fingers are crossed!

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  26. Wow Lucy, I never would have chosen this book based on the title alone because I would be afraid that it would be to technical and gorey...lol Sounds very interested indeed after reading your great review. Of course I'm a follower and now off to add this to my sidebar. Fondly, Roberta

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  27. Just added the link to my facebook page ;)

    http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=1222723325

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  28. All set Lucy...added to my sidebar now as well!

    http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/#tp

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  29. What an intriguing review! I would certainly like to be included in your giveaway.

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  30. Oh wow!! This book is right up my alley!! I love reading non-fiction if it's written with an interest and passion for its subject -- the ones that are so dry and blah are a struggle to get through, but this sounds amazing! It is now on the TBR list! I just came across your blog and I will be a-followin'! :)

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  31. I'm in it to win it! This book looks awesome! I posted a link on facebook and I've also added it to my sidebar. Thanks!

    http://livingandlovingincalifornia.blogspot.com

    cortneylyon@gmail.com

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  32. I follow and think that this book sounds so interesting! I would love to read it!

    choateorama(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. That sounds bizarrely interesting! My cup of tea!

    autumn (dot) crochet (at) gmail (dot) com

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  34. This sounds like a fantastic read... I am a follower.

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  35. Here's my tweet http://twitter.com/contestaholic/status/18164889538

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  36. Lol, sounds like a fun one, I really should check my library for something else than just fiction

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  37. I've been hearing a lot about this book and I'm very interested. Thanks for the chance! I'm a loyal follower.

    miller4plusmore(at)bellsouth(dot)net

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  38. I would love to read it.

    nancysoffice at gmail dot com

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  39. I am a gfc follower. It sounds fascinating, I love reading books like this.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

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  40. Glad you liked this one so much, I'll have to keep an eye out forit. I still have to read the Uppity Medieval women book she wrote too!

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  41. I would love to read this, especially since you say it is a fun read.
    andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  42. Seems as if it will be fun to read this book.

    GFC Follower Kitty
    maynekitty [at] live [dot] com

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  43. I follow and this book sounds really interesting!

    bmweida at yahoo dot com

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  44. retweet: http://twitter.com/contestaholic/status/18733752214

    crystal(dot)fournier(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. retweet: http://twitter.com/contestaholic/status/18833775155

    crystal(dot)fournier(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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