Lives in Ruins: Archaeologists and the Seductive Lure of Human Rubble - Marilyn Johnson

The author of The Dead Beat and This Book is Overdue! turns her piercing eye and charming wit to the real-life avatars of Indiana Jones—the archaeologists who sort through the muck and mire of swamps, ancient landfills, volcanic islands, and other dirty places to reclaim history for us all.

“As she did in her previous books about librarians and obituary writers, Johnson finds that the line between inspirationally nutty and actually crazy is measured in the joy of the work.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“An engrossing examination of how archaeologists re-create much of human history, piece by painstaking piece.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

“A lively love letter to archaeologists...Many archaeologists credit Indiana Jones with sparking their passion, and Johnson may well inspire a new generation to take up this calling.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“World travel, drinking, lust in the dust-our lives are all in ruins, indeed, and Johnson reveals why we wouldn’t want it any other way.” (Sarah Parcak, National Geographic Society Fellow and author of Satellite Remote Sensing for Archaeology)

“The great pleasure with which I read this book took me back to when I was eight years old and wanted to be an archaeologist. Marilyn Johnson does a wonderful job uncovering the delight in this tough, important, and exhilarating profession.” (Ian Frazier, author of Great Plains, Travels in Siberia, and Humor Me: An Anthology of Funny Contemporary Writing)

“Johnson’s contribution to this genre is unmatched...wonderful and engaging work peels back the superficial glamour surrounding archaeology and archaeologists...Without glitz, the author has created a very enjoyable work that will be appreciated by experts in the field and casual readers alike.” (Library Journal (starred review))

“Lives in Ruins is…delectable.” (Salon)

“Johnson writes in a charming and thoughtful manner, weaving in her personal observations, insightful quotes from her subjects and a wide-eyed fascination with her subjects.” (Seattle Times)

“Johnson writes entertainingly, employing many quirky tidbits gleaned from the likably eccentric intellects she meets.” (New York Times Book Review)

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