If you've ever walked through a cemetery, you've certainly stood in front of a tombstone, wondering about the life of the person buried there. In this book, historian Philips answers that question for 200 people whose final resting place is Charleston, South Carolina's Magnolia Cemetery. Ranging from secessionists to carpetbaggers, politicians to ornithologists, and suffragists to bookstore owners, the author presents a cast of the city's most colorful characters since the mid-19th century. Maps make it possible for readers to use the book as a guide to the cemetery, and the author suggests several thematic tours. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)