A Commonsense Book of Death: Reflections at Ninety of a Lifelong Thanatologist
A Commonsense Book of Deathis not to be missed. Dr. Shneidman takes us on a journey through death's possibilities, its probabilities, like the soulful guide he is, like the very great teacher he is. It is a pleasure to take a walk through these dark woods with someone who can light up the shadows so brightly and so lovingly. (Judy Collins)Always inventive, constantly creative and entertaining, the honored professor of thanatology and founding father of suicidology reveals, at age ninety, how it feels to be Edwin Shneidman, intimately involved now in life's last phase. (Robert E. Litman)Ever the Captain, Edwin Shneidman grabs the oars on this journey down the river Styx.  With greater staying power than his Requiem suggests, Ed's pen is mightier than the scythe. (Kita S. Curry)Thomas Paine publishedCommon Senseanonymously, in fear of retribution from monarchy loyalists. Nevertheless, it was an instant best seller and sparked a revolution.  Ed Shneidman'sA Commonsense Book of Deathlays bare his insight, his wisdom, even his psychotherapy to lead us to revolutionary ways of understanding and coming to terms with the end of life. This book sparks deep reflection and great comfort. (Alan Berman)Dr. Shneidman is the Durkheim of contemporary suicidology.  As a Japanese psychiatrist (and a devoted Shneidmanian), I enthusiastically recommended this extraordinary book to all those who wish to improve their insights into the nature of death itself. (Yoshitomo Takahashi)This beautifully crafted work by Dr. Shneidman is more than a compilation of his life's stunning work. It breathes life into death and has everyone reading it thinking about his or her own postself. Thank you Ed! (Richard I. Ridenour)It used to be said that all one needed to raise a baby was an actual infant and a copy of Benjamin Spock's book on child care. Perhaps now, concerning the other end of life, we can venture the thought that if you are an aging person all you need to gain a better death is your own aging body and a copy of Shneidman'sA Commonsense Book of Death. The author's lofty goal seems to be no less than to tame death. He attempts to do this by making death a legitimate topic for academic inquiry and then discussing it, reasonably, in a commonsense way, as though it were no more frightening that raising a baby. If you are mortal you will want to chew on this extraordinary book. (Janet McCord)At ninety, the most brilliant scholar in thanatology and suicidology is giving us a book flourishing in intellectual power and deep humanity. In this book, the private Edwin Shneidman merges with the professional expert on death and dying, disclosing his reflections about his own end of life process as well as an essay from his current psychotherapist. I was very moved. (Gudrun Dieserud)This volume touches the very heart of human existence, especially what a good-enough death might be like. This passionate book is the fruit of one of the most emblematic characters in the scientific approach to death and dying. Although this book is about death, it is a true gift from life. (Maurizio Pompili)