How We Die

Reflections on Life's Final Chapter, New Edition (National Book Award Winner)

By: Sherwin B. Nuland

Narrated by: Sherwin B. Nuland

NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The definitive resource on perhaps the single most universal human concern: death.

Even more relevant than when it was first published, this edition addresses contemporary issues in end-of-life care and includes an all-embracing and incisive afterword that examines the state of health care and our relationship with life as it approaches its terminus. How We Die also discusses how we can take control of our own final days and those of our loved ones.

"Nuland's work acknowledges, with unmatched clarity, the harsh realities of how life departs… There is compassion, and often wisdom, in every page." —San Francisco Examiner

Critic reviews

"Eloquent and uncommonly moving… Nuland writes with unsentimental passion." —Time

"Engrossing… We are in the hands of a remarkable portraitist whose cultivated thought…. quietly and informatively instructs and advises us on a subject of universal concern." —The New York Times Book Review

"Nuland's work acknowledges, with unmatched clarity, the harsh realities of how life departs… There is compassion, and often wisdom, in every page." —San Francisco Examiner

"Nuland combines the clinical eye of a physician with… emotional and philosophical reflectiveness." —Newsday

Very Abridged

Like other reviewers mentioned, I didn't realize that this is the abridged book. It is actually very abridged, which is a shame because the book is so great. I have the actual book, and was disappointed when the audiobook ended so quickly. I love that the author narrates this audiobook
Audible... please make an unabridged audiobook of this insightful and very informative book.

Must read for every age.

I love books narrated by the author.
This book told stories that were clinical, yet easy for a non-medical person to understand. I could see it incrediblely influential to be on a recommended reading list for middle school or high school kids. Especially kids in rough neighborhoods.

The value of life is much better understood when contrasted with and the value of death. Our society tends to hide death.. Highly recommended this book to assist the digestion of your own mortality as well as any family members who have or are struggled with a life-threatening disease or simply the end of their journey around the sun.

Thank you to the author for this book. It made a great difference for me at this point in my life. I am the granddaughter of my newly deceased grandfather and a hospice nurse of 1.5yrs. It's possible to appreciate death and disease. They are both incredible teachers.

LOved it!

Where does How We Die rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This book leaves me feeling good about my own mortality....Like all things in nature, we are part of the cycle of life.

What did you like best about this story?

The author's authenticity

Which scene was your favorite?

When his brother was diagnosed with cancer

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes!

Any additional comments?

I wish this wasn't abridged...would love to hear the entire book

How We Die

I first read Sherwin Nuland's book after my mother died. I flipped through it again when my father died. Now I have listened to How We Die without emotions influencing my read. It is very good in telling you how systems fail and what that leads to.. Mr. Nuland is not out to frighten anyone but just to explain why things go wrong in the body and what those things lead to. Highly recommend it.

Perfect

Love it, very accurate explanation on dying process, narrator is great, will highly recommend to all my family and friends, as a health care worker having this book can help patient's families.