With the End in Mind

Dying, Death, and Wisdom in an Age of Denial

By: Kathryn Mannix

Narrated by: Elizabeth Carling

For readers of Atul Gawande and Paul Kalanithi, a palliative care doctor's breathtaking stories from 30 years spent caring for the dying.

Modern medical technology is allowing us to live longer and fuller lives than ever before. And for the most part, that is good news. But with changes in the way we understand medicine come changes in the way we understand death. Once a familiar, peaceful, and gentle -- if sorrowful -- transition, death has come to be something from which we shield our eyes, as we prefer to fight desperately against it rather than accept its inevitability.

Dr. Kathryn Mannix has studied and practiced palliative care for thirty years. In With the End in Mind , she shares beautifully crafted stories from a lifetime of caring for the dying, and makes a compelling case for the therapeutic power of approaching death not with trepidation, but with openness, clarity, and understanding.

Weaving the details of her own experiences as a caregiver through stories of her patients, their families, and their distinctive lives, Dr. Mannix reacquaints us with the universal, but deeply personal, process of dying. With insightful meditations on life, death, and the space between them, With the End in Mind describes the possibility of meeting death gently, with forethought and preparation, and shows the unexpected beauty, dignity, and profound humanity of life coming to an end.

Critic reviews

"With sometimes unsettling detail, admirable empathy and a sprinkling of humor, Dr. Mannix imparts valuable lessons for anyone who faces the loss of a family member or a personal reckoning with impending demise."—The Wall Street Journal

"With the End in Mind is one of the loveliest books I've ever read. It's part memoir and part self-help manual, part practical advice and part professional credo. Mannix's compassion is bottomless and her scrupulousness unimpeachable."—Bookforum

Incredibly touching

I loved the stories and tenderness of the lessons she shared. Such a wonderful series of stories and lessons to listen to!

clarity in perspective

the nature of the material was evocative and real. it paints the truest senses of all humans and our mortal condition. I have longed to have more exposure to death as I believe it gently and lovingly has called to me even as a naive child. I've sought its peace and in this book I recieved confirmation that a life worth living is better captured in a life lived with death whispering its definitive solace to our souls.

Death is peaceful and need not be scary

Highly recommend to anyone facing end of life or family there of. Stage 4 breast cancer patient.

Perspective gained

Beautifully written, and the stories very inspiring. I will be reading again. Highly recommend.. I will be going through pdf to start getting ready for the end.

Not as heavy as you might think

Absolutely powerful to read and listen to. I had to read this for my class this semester and I purchased the hardcover just to add to my personal collection! Both content and the narration are excellent. It may be helpful to have a set of tissues nearby when reading. Side effects may include a deeper appreciation for the brevity of life, deeper self-compassion, and a willingness to live life a bit more free from the constant hustle and bustle.