Summary
OLD age, they say, does not come alone. I can't wait. In fact, I don't have to. As life expectancy in the west rises, and our departure date rolls further and further off, the concept of death and dying seems to hold a growing fascination. It's an interest founded on dread and disbelief, like our love of horror movies: we enjoy being frightened by something we think can't touch us.
Like prophets in the wilderness, a band of missionaries is trying to wean us from this state of denial. One of the first was American surgeon Sherman Nuland, whose unflinching book, How We Die, was a surprise bestseller. A friend urged me to read it, but, after the first few pages, I gave up. I don't need reminding how unpleasant the end can be; I still have raw memories from having worked in a hospital.See the full content of this document
Extract
Facing Death in the Book Shop? I Think I'll Pass First Word
A new salvo from those who want us to face facts landed on my desk this week. Called How to Have a Good Death, it's published by Dorling Kindersley, who are better known for books about dinosaurs than...
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