The author systematically covers the subject under the three headings of Life, Death and Disease. Firstly, bones give us information about age, sex, height, weight, a persons working life and the demography of a society. Secondly, we learn of the causes of death - whether natural or intentional (from suicide to execution and cannibalism). The final section of the book looks at the evidence for a whole range of diseases - from aching joints and teeth to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and syphilis.