The Dead Beat: Lost Souls, Lucky Stiffs, and the Perverse Pleasures of Obituaries by Marilyn Johnson (Author)

ISBN: 9780060758769

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (2007-01-30)

Paperback, 252 pages

The paper comes each morning and never fails to deliver news of the important dead. Where else can you celebrate the life of the pharmacist who moonlighted as a spy, the genius behind sea monkeys, or the school lunch lady who spent her evenings as a ballroom hostess? No wonder so many readers skip the news and sports and go directly to the obituary page." Los Angeles Times Book "An uplifting, joyous, life-affirming read for people who ordinarily steer clear of uplifting, joyous, life-affirming reads... Who might profit or delight from reading about obituaries? Just about anyone who's not in one." New York Times Book "Fascinating... Her account of the culture of obituary lovers is downright amazing." "A smart, tart, and often hilarious tiptoe through the tombstones.