The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum Summary
Overview of The Poisoner's Handbook
Before CSI, two scientists revolutionized murder investigations in Jazz Age New York. This NYT bestseller, adapted into an Emmy-nominated PBS documentary, reveals how chemistry caught killers when poison was the perfect murder weapon. True crime meets scientific breakthrough.
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Key takeaways
Death by Chemistry: Murder in the Age of Poison
In early 20th century New York City, poison was the perfect murder weapon. With no scientific oversight, killers using arsenic, cyanide, or chloroform operated with virtual impunity. Death certificates listed vague causes like "visitation by God" or simply "stopped breathing." The coroner system was a political patronage machine where appointments went to loyal party supporters rather than qualified professionals. Coroners like Patrick Riordan routinely appeared drunk at crime scenes and sold falsified death certificates for $5-20 each. The system's spectacular failure was illustrated by the case of Frederic Mors, who confessed to murdering eight elderly people with chloroform but escaped charges because coroners incorrectly claimed the poison couldn't be detected in exhumed bodies. This changed in 1918 when Charles Norris became New York's first scientifically trained medical examiner. Despite constant political interference and budget battles, Norris recruited Alexander Gettler, a brilliant chemist and son of Hungarian immigrants, as his toxicologist. Together, they built America's first modern forensic laboratory, determined to use science to speak for the dead when no one else could.
Prohibition's Deadly Cocktail: Government-Sanctioned Poisoning
The Radium Girls: When Science Confronts Industry
The Chemistry of Murder: Poisons as Criminal Weapons
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer of Modern Life
The Science of Intoxication: Alcohol as a Forensic Challenge
Speaking for the Dead: A Scientific Legacy
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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