Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections on Living While Dying [Hardcover]

Morrie Schwartz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1996

When, at the age of 75, former sociology professor Morrie Schwartz learned that he had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, rather than withdraw, as many people diagnosed with a terminal disease choose to do, he embraced his illness, choosing to live as fully as possible in the time he had left. Letting Go presents Morrie's remarkable philosophy on living and dying, speaking directly to America's difficulty in letting go of life, with the compassion and pragmatism of one who has been there.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Preceding the phenomenal success of Mitch Albom's Tuesdays with Morrie, in which Albom discusses his weekly visits with his mentor, Morrie, as Morrie faces death from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Morrie Schwartz published his own book, Letting Go: Morrie's Reflections of Living While Dying.

Schwartz intended his words to be read by people dying of terminal illnesses with passages titled ,"Living with Physical Limitations," "Grieving for Your Losses," and "Reviewing the Past." Yet, just as in the case in Tuesdays with Morrie, this collection of plainspoken reflections transcends the "death and dying" category and is more aptly shelved in one's inspiration and spirituality collection.

For example, Schwartz's simple thoughts on courage could speak to any seeker of enlightenment.

"Dealing bravely with physical pain or accidents takes one kind of courage," he writes. "Facing life as it is and accepting it requires another....I have found courage through seeking thoughtfulness, openheartedness, detachment, and other responses that make up a composed life and a calm response to illness....I hope that I can continue in this way to the end so that I die with inner peace.

As it was, on November 4, 1995, Morrie Schwartz died just as he hoped he would.

In 1999, Walker & Company decided to reissue Letting Go under a new title, Morrie: in His Own Words --Gail Hudson

From Booklist

Unlike many who discover they have an incurable illness and then withdraw from society, Morrie Schwartz remained open to new experiences, including interviews on Nightline, Talk of the Nation, and several other television and radio shows. In 1994 this former Brandeis University sociology professor was 75 years old when diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). Wanting to learn more about life and death, he objectively watched himself die, at first taking notes and then tape-recording his thoughts, feelings, and memories as his health declined. Personal aphorisms--heartfelt, succinct observations--form this book's core. We read about how he coped with decreasing physical abilities, managed his emotions, related to others, and stressed the need to ask for help. After each aphorism, he reflected on what the words meant and shared an anecdote or a bit of advice. With candor he wrote, "After you have wept and grieved for your physical losses, cherish the functions and the life you have left." Schwartz died in November 1995. Letting Go holds wisdom not only for those struggling with a terminal or debilitating condition but also for families and friends who must come to grips with letting a loved one go. Jennifer Henderson

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 126 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Co; First Edition edition (September 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802713157
• ISBN-13: 978-0802713155
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a "must" read if you enjoyed tuesdays with morrie, August 3, 1999

By 

Blaine Greenfield "eclectic reader" (Belle Meade, NJ) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Morrie In His Own Words: Life Wisdom from a Remarkable Man (Hardcover)

heard the taped version of morrie: in his own words by morrie schwartz . . . if you read mitch albom's best-seller tuesdays with morrie (one of the finest books i have ever read), you will now want to get hold of this--which presents the philosophies by which morrie triumphantly lived before he succumbed to lou gehrig's disease . . . here, you will get insight on such topics as "handling frustration" and "reaching acceptance" to "relating to others" and "being kind to yourself" . . . don't miss it!

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A helpful, as well as thoughtful, book, June 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Morrie: In His Own Words (Paperback)

I lost a friend to ALS two years ago. Some the insight given by Morrie would have been helpful to me during her illness. He offers suggestions to the person experiencing the terminal illness, while at the same time making suggestions to caregivers, friends and family. An easy book to read in an afternoon and one that will be remembered.

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-altering, August 15, 2001

By 

Agnes Ong (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Morrie: In His Own Words (Paperback)

I can tell you this with all honesty - if you're restless, edgy, wondering what the hell is wrong with you when you've got a comfy, cushy life & job & friends & material goods, read this book. It's life-changing and makes you re-evaluate your priorities. My colleague told me about this book - one of the few that she reads that has nothing to do with work, btw - and told me I had to read this. Being in an industry (IT) that always shifts beneath our feet (sometimes more often than the tetonic plates below our Earth surface!), it relays a different message that begs the reader - and thinker - to reorganize his/her life, loves & priorities. I read it during the lunch hour and came back calling up my close friends and telling them I love them and that I want to see them more often.

Now, THAT'S a book with a difference.