Friday, April 9, 2010

Cataldie's Mission

~ Tell us the title:
Coroner's Journal: Forensics and the Art of Stalking Death
~ Who penned this work?:
Louis Cataldie, M.D.
~ How did this piece find it's way to your nightstand?:
First trip to Powell's Books and the forensics aspect grabbed me.
~ Number of pages:
336
~ Time passed from start to finish?:
2 weeks
~ Describe the cover:
Black and white, low-angle shot of a sheet-covered body in a forest; title is this color, subtitle is this color.
~ In what section of the bookstore would a reader find this?:
Memoirs, Legal/Forensics
~ Summary of the basic plot:
Author tells about his life as a coroner. From duties in pursuing causes of death to cleaning up after Hurricane Katrina to the odd responsibility of committing psychotics to mental institutions.
~ Background information on the story/author:
Louis Cataldie was a General Practitioner when he first finished med school. He was actually drawn to be a coroner by his interest in psychiatry. When he moved to Baton Rouge he found himself working at the coroner's office. He progressed through the ranks and was acting coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish for five years. He finished his career after two years as the Louisiana State Medical Examiner.
~ What did you think of it? (your general response, what you liked or didn't like, what you learned, anything else you want to share about it):
It was an interesting point of view on murders with a few weird accidental deaths thrown in. It wasn't very technical in the biology/forensic science aspect, in fact it definitely could have used more input from the science side. Interesting note...he got sued at one point (case went to trial with Cataldie's side prevailing) by a lawyer that was a member of the Louisiana State Senate. A law that the Senator wrote saved him.
~ Which page was your favorite? Share why:
His description of the days after Hurricane Katrina paid respects to the deceased while providing a small glimpse of the horrors that occurred. In total, ten corpses were recovered from the Louisiana Superdome--contrary to urban legend, not one was a homicide." That revelation was a shock to me...five years later.
~ If the story was made into a movie, who would you cast as the main characters?
Actually, throw a toupe on Dr. Phil and you've got your guy. Not only the right look, but the personality seems to mesh too.
~ Share a quote that was worth reading twice. Explain why:
In total, ten corpses were recovered from the Louisiana Superdome--contrary to urban legend, not one was a homicide." That revelation was a shock to me...five years later.
~ Choose your rating:
- Changed. My. Life.
- I laughed, I cried, I want you to read it
- A definite page-turner
- Good to check out but don't spend the cash.
- Why did I waste my weekend on this?
- A disgrace to paper everywhere
~ Flip to page 2, 22, or 202. Share the 7th sentence on the page. Not appropriate.

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