Anyone familiar with the deaths of such Hollywood notables as Natalie Wood, William Holden, Sharon Tate, Marilyn Monroe, John Belushi, and the late Senator Robert Kennedy has probably already heard of Dr. Thomas Noguchi of the Los Angeles Medical Examiners office. This book is his remembrances of the deaths he investigated and the science of forensic medicine whose growth he has fostered and encouraged. The bulk of the information he imparts come from his official files on each case.
He begins his book with his life in Japan during World War II, and continues with his immigration to the United States, his years of toil in medical school and the following years of internship and residency. The Thomas Noguchi, who emerges from his account, is a patient thorough investigator whose reliance on science has advanced the field of forensic science tremendously and helped foster the respect that people have for a medical examiner's opinion.
Relating some of his more famous cases which people are familiar with, he details the step by step investigation into the deaths of people who are now legends in America's social fabric. Showing that Marilyn Monroe did commit suicide, that Natalie Wood fought to save her own life up to the point that hypothermia rendered her unconscious, to the fact that Robert Kennedy's assassination was done by more than Sirhan Sirhan and the basis for that opinion, he outlines the detailed investigation into those deaths, the results found, and the scientific basis for their interpretation, Noguchi builds each case skillfully and believably that supports the medical examiner's office final conclusion even when it runs contrary to the public reports issued by the attorney general's office. Noguchi also discusses his career problems with surprising candor and self examination, still harking back to the science that is at the center of every investigation undertaken by him and his office.
This book is amazingly easy to read,riveting in its subject matter, and well founded on logic and science. Read this book. You will discover the many amazing mysteries that forensic science can now resolve and the promise of a richer future this branch of science holds. You will also learn of a man totally devoted to his job, his sense of responsibility and accountability to the public at large to share findings that especially could prevent future deaths, and the pride of a man who has done work that is not only well done but unparalleled in the medical field despite the obstacles thrown in his way.
This is probably the best non-fiction book I have read in years and I look forward to reading Book 2 of his series.
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- Coroner; America's Most Controversial Medical Examiner explores the unanswered questions surrounding the deaths of Marilyn Monroe, Robert F. Kennedy, Sharon Tate, Janis Joplin, William Holden, Natalie Wood, John Belushi and many other of his important casesThomas T. with Joseph Dimona NoguchiHardcover
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2015
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Top reviews from other countries
- G C HAYWOODReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 1, 2018
Coroner to the stars
- JTWWellerReviewed in Australia on December 27, 2015
Great Credible Read on Famous Deaths
