Last words
Subtitle: a dictionary of deathbed quotations
By: by C. Bernard Ruffin.
Publisher: McFarland
Published: 1995
Place of publication: Jefferson, N.C
Language: eng
Number of pages: 261
Subjects: Death -- Quotations, maxims, etc. -- Dictionaries.; Last words.
Description: The last words of the dying often provide insight into their feelings about life. Some are peaceful ("It is very beautiful over there"--Thomas Alva Edison); many are spiritual ("Don't ask the Lord to keep me here. Ask him to have mercy"-Walker Percy); others are angry ("God-damn the whole frigging world and everybody in it-except you Carlotta"-W.C. Fields); still others reflect the weary fight against death ("I'm bored of it all"-Sir Winston Churchill). Nearly 2,000 deathbed quotations from saints, popes, statesmen, scientists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, artists, entertainers, writers, criminals and others are included in this reference work. Each entry includes a brief biographical sketch of the person and sets the quotation in context. The sources for the quotes include biographies, newspaper and magazine accounts, and, in a few instances, firsthand accounts. --From publisher's description.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-236) and index.