Talking About Death [Paperback]

Virginia Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 3, 2004

Even in this candidly confessional age, we've been conditioned to avoid discussions of death. Our youth-worshipping culture does everything to deny death, which is why, when the end nears, most of us are inadequately prepared to deal with it.

And the cost of that is great: many are haunted by memories of how inappropriately or painfully or uncomfortably their parents and grandparents died. Many of us avoid even considering the options, in all their complexity, that we will most likely face one day, given our new longevity and the profound advances in medicine.

With its wise and very compelling argument that all of us, at any age, can and should face death before it faces us, Talking About Death addresses the cultural, personal, medical, and legal concerns that are necessary for us--as individuals and as a society--to prepare for a good death, a death where the dying are in control and not, as is too often the case, caught in a downward spiral of medical intervention and misunderstood intentions.

Virginia Morris skillfully weaves together personal stories and practical matters, scientific fact and spiritual sensitivity into an important book about how we can achieve a greater sense of peace in dying, and rediscover the art of living.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Even in this candidly confessional age, formidable silences still surround death. Acknowledging that "death will never be easy" and "will always cause suffering," Morris (How to Care for an Aging Parent) strongly advocates accepting that death "does and will happen," and preparing for it. Drawing on case histories, she shows how people often distance themselves from death and those who are dying fail to communicate clear wishes, even to their closest family members. Maureen D'Honau, for example, knew from prior discussions with her husband that he did not want to "drag out his death." However, when he became terminally ill with emphysema, she was unable to prevent the very painful and lengthy death he endured hooked up to machines because they had not understood the medical options or talked about specifics. According to Morris, the process of dying has been handed over to medical professionals, rather than family members and friends, because of our unwillingness to discuss and plan for death. Offering a wealth of information on Do Not Resuscitate orders, pain medication, living wills and hospice care, Morris provides a useful, clearly written and thought-provoking analysis. (July)Forecast: With a 15-city author tour, a $75,000 marketing budget and a national advertising campaign, this book is poised to build on the commercial success of Morris's previous book. Still, it will take a major media break for the book to establish itself in its crowded niche and sell through its first printing of 50,000.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A writer specializing in health-related issues, Morris (How To Care for Aging Parents, LJ 4/1/96) makes a good point: it is better to learn about death and discuss end-of-life issues with family and friends before terminal illness or tragedy strikes. Unlike other writers on the subject, she does not cover basic care of the dying or the stages of dying and bereavement, instead discussing in simple language such issues as life-prolonging medical procedures, the necessity of creating legal documents giving instructions for final care, how to visit and relate to dying people, and how to talk to children about death. Throughout, stories of families and individuals are related to illuminate how to make decisions regarding death and dying. For instance, in the chapter "Talking It Over," Morris shares an ongoing conversation with her chronically ill mother that reveals the psychological and emotional issues that arise and need to be clarified again and again. This thought-provoking book is recommended for all collections. Lucille M. Boone, San Jose P.L., CA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Algonquin Books; 1 edition (January 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565124375
• ISBN-13: 978-1565124370
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,745 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

An award-winning journalist, Virginia Morris has devoted her career to researching and writing about health care, medical research and related social and political issues for the last 25 years. She is the author of How to Care for Aging Parents, which won the Books for a Better Life Award and instantly became the best-selling book on the subject when it was first released in 1986. An updated and expanded edition was published in 2004. She is also the author of Talking About Death, which came out in paperback in 2004. Virginia has been featured on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The CBS Morning Show, Primetime, NPR, CNN, and a host of other national media. She also appeared before Congress, testifying before the bicameral Joint Economic Committee in 2007. She now lectures around the country on both subjects. She lives with her husband and two children in the New York area.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book about life, December 8, 2001

By 

"bobdm" (Spokane, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Talking About Death Won't Kill You (Hardcover)

This book is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world that seems to pretend that death never happens. It does, and this book reminds that denial will cheat us from what matters in life. My experience as a physician reminds me every day that death is an essential part of life. The book is filled with moving stories about people's confrontation with death and lessons to help us lead a richer life.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly What I Needed!!, September 21, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Talking About Death Won't Kill You (Hardcover)

A powerful and positive call to action that inspired me to "make death part of life".

Like most Americans, I come from a family in which the very thought of death is always put off until it's much, much too late. Ms. Morris's book changed all that for me. It defanged the "death monster" and turned it into a facet of life that I will think about, talk about and prepare for with my family and friends in a manner that will ease the passage of the dying invididual as well as those who love that person.

I never thought a book about death could be so life-affirming!!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amen to this, November 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Talking About Death Won't Kill You (Hardcover)

Virgina understands that remembering is part of healing.
I also use Write from Your Heart, A Healing Grief Journal in my classes. It is good to find books such as these.
For the children I teach I use After the Tears, A Gentle Guide to Help Children Understand Death.