Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs [Paperback]

Jill Werman Harris (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Finding the right words at a time of loss can understandably cause a eulogist much angst and apprehension. How does one commemorate and honor a person whose life feels like a miracle and whose passing still feels incomprehensible? Fortunately, this book of eulogies can offer guidance as well as inspiration for the bereaved. For example, Wallace Stegner writes a specific yet universal memory to his mother Hilda: "I have a clear mental image of your pursed lips and your crinkling eyes, and I know that nothing I can say will persuade you that I was ever less than you thought me."

Included here are the wrenchingly beautiful eulogies to great loves, including Lillian Hellman's final words to the love of her life, Dashiell Hammett, and Henry Miller's tribute to his legendary lover, Anaïs Nin. And it must have been with bottomless sorrow that Edward Kennedy mustered his tender and deeply personal tribute to his second slain brother, Robert Kennedy. These are all heartfelt and eloquent words, certain to comfort and aid the eulogist. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Comprised of eulogies from the 20th century, as well as, poetic elegies, condolence letters and tombstone epitaphs spanning from the 17th century to the present, this eclectic sourcebook offers inspiration for anyone seeking to memorialize a loved one. Since the mourners and the dead in each instance are well-known writers (Lillian Hellman eulogizes Dashiell Hammett) and public figures (Reverend Jesse Jackson lays Jackie Robinson to rest), the collection is a bonanza for the morbidly minded browser as well. The authors vary in skill, but all of the tributes are characterized by genuine feelings of loss. Outstanding examples include Wallace Stegner's moving eulogy for his mother and Noa Ben Artzi-Pelossof's simple, passionate declaration of love for her grandfather, Yitzhak Rabin. Many of the condolence letters are of historical interest, such as Abigail Adams's condolences to her estranged friend Thomas Jefferson upon the death of his daughter. Also included is the letter accused spy Ethel Rosenberg wrote to her sons on the day she and her husband were executed. Whereas most of the elegies by poets Dickinson, Longfellow and others are consoling, some of the inscriptions in the short selection of epitaphs provide a dose of leavening humor: "Here lie my husbands One Two Three, Dumb as men could ever be."
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; Reprint edition (November 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375701257
• ISBN-13: 978-0375701252
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,008,433 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strongly recommended, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs (Hardcover)

This book consists of a very wisely chosen selection of interesting writings on human loss. The over 100 writers and subjects include Mark Twain, Abigail Adams, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, William Wordsworth, Abe Lincoln, Charles Dickens, Virginia Wolf, Martin Luther King and W.H. Auden. The tone and attitudes of each piece vary greatly; all are well written, and each is touching in a slightly different way - from the expressions of profound pain and grief at loss, to the joy and inspiration of rememberance, to the celebration of the continuance of the human spirit. Am I getting carried away? Perhaps, but with justification. The bottom line is I really like this book, and strongly recommend it to all readers.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, a must for everyone who has loved and lost!, May 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs (Hardcover)

Ms. Harris shows uncommon sensitivity in her choice of authors. I was moved to tears of joy and sorrow on several occasions. Without a doubt Ms Harris's work will rank as one of the most thoughful and provocative volumes of how we, as human beings, deal with grief and ultimately move on.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is amazing! Everyone should read it!, July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Remembrances and Celebrations: A Book of Eulogies, Elegies, Letters, and Epitaphs (Hardcover)

This is a great book. Everyone who is dealing with or has delt with the loss of someone should read this book! It will help them.