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How We Die (Abridged): Reflections on Lifes Final Chapter, New Edition (National Book Award Winner) Audiobook, by Sherwin B. Nuland Play Audiobook Sample

How We Die (Abridged): Reflections on Life's Final Chapter, New Edition (National Book Award Winner) Audiobook

How We Die (Abridged): Reflections on Lifes Final Chapter, New Edition (National Book Award Winner) Audiobook, by Sherwin B. Nuland Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Sherwin B. Nuland Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 2.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 1.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: February 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739354391

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

44

Longest Chapter Length:

05:57 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:24 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:01 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

7

Other Audiobooks Written by Sherwin B. Nuland: > View All...

Publisher Description

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

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"Nuland the surgeon walks the average reader through the processes that will take the lives of most people (heart attacks and strokes) and moves through the unusual ones such as murder before ending with the treatment choices that may face us at the end of our lives. He urges people to examine what they mean by "death with dignity" and to think hard about the cost-benefits of painful treatments that can prolong life but offer no cure."

— Maureen (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “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.”

    — New York Times Book Review
  • “Eloquent and uncommonly moving…Nuland writes with unsentimental passion.”

    — Time
  • “Nuland’s work acknowledges, with unmatched clarity, the harsh realities of how life departs…There is compassion, and often wisdom.”

    — San Francisco Examiner
  • “Nuland combines the clinical eye of a physician with…emotional and philosophical reflectiveness.”

    — Newsday
  • "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

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • Winner of the 1994 National Book Award for Nonfiction
  • An ALA Notable Book Finalist for Nonfiction
  • A 1994 National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist
  • Finalist for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
  • Winner of National Book Awards, 1994
  • Winner of National Book Awards, 1994

How We Die Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.045454545454546 out of 54.045454545454546 out of 54.045454545454546 out of 54.045454545454546 out of 54.045454545454546 out of 5 (4.05)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this when I was much younger, so I didn't find it depressing at all. It's told compassionately and without condescension. I might feel differently now that I'm 100! "

    — Lp, 12/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A very objective and yet humane investigation, by a gifted writer, of death and issues surrounding it. Highly recommended. "

    — James, 12/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was the best book that I could have read in order to understand (if you really can) the process of death in humans. It was written in a clear down to Earthmanner. I felt I was able to have better insight and anticipation of what lay ahead for my Mom and sister. Both of them were terminally ill and have since died. "

    — Pepsie, 11/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this a while back, after my dad passed from cancer. It was fascinating and so informative - helpful in a way no doctor or priest had ever been. I'm reading it again to hopefully understand my mom's current journey. "

    — Marianne, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fascinating. Not for the faint of heart due to its clinical descriptions, but an eloquent description of how death is approached. "

    — Diane, 11/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Remember how you couldn't stay awake in biology class years ago? That's because it wasn't framed around what happens when all these biological processes go awry. Short answer: we die. I loved this book, learned a ton, and appreciated the author's perspective. "

    — Tyler, 10/19/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a well written book! The author really goes into the the psychology behind dying and that there really is no grace going into it. The author discusses many mental/emotional aspects of dying. The author is clearly well educated and knowledgeable in this field. "

    — Dustin, 8/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a great book if you would like to know about the physical responses that the body goes through while dying and after death. Each chapter is framed with, i believe, a factual story about someone who suffered with the condition that the chapter is about. Sad and fascinating. "

    — Brian, 8/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not as morbid as you might expect. Gives the best explanation of how the heart and lungs work I've ever read. "

    — Tom, 8/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book describing the physiological aspect of how our bodies shut down at the end of life was very helpful to me after my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. It's very well written by a doctor. "

    — Alice, 6/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting. I had been dreading/wanting to read this. It was not as frightening nor as interesting as I had anticipated. Turns out death, like much of life, is mundane and could be done much better with a little more attention paid to it. "

    — Laura, 5/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " We all need to know so much more about the dying process, so we can make it a part of living--after all, that's what it is! "

    — Gerilyn, 1/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Drags a bit as might be expected for a non-story driven book, but very informative. It's kind of like if an inexperienced pre-adolescent came across a sex book filled with mechanical breakdowns of positions, as described in personal anectdotes. "

    — Mark, 6/23/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Phenomenal book. Best assigned reading of my entire collegiate career. Changed my view on aging, death, and dying, and offered many, insightful new perspectives. I am so glad I read it at 20! "

    — Emilee, 2/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I had to read this book in high school (I went to a weird high school). I remember it kind of freaked me out, but in a fun way. I need to read it again to give it a more accurate rating, but three stars for the memories. "

    — Grace, 12/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As if I needed more details to fuel my constant fear of death... "

    — Matt, 4/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book because I don't have any plans on dying anytime soon, and I think it may have helped lend me a few more years. How many books can you say that about? "

    — Ty, 4/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I laughed...I cried...I thought. Seriously I did. Loved this book. I really enjoyed the author's personal accounts of his experience with life and death. "

    — Erica, 2/18/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " As a social worker this book has already proven useful and I've only read the chapter on heart disease! Nuland explains in discernible language describing bodily processes from several different angles giving the reader a good conceptualization of bodily cause and effect. "

    — Jennifer, 12/30/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was good but I lost interest towards the end and was never able to finish the book. "

    — Lisa, 11/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book describing the physiological aspect of how our bodies shut down at the end of life was very helpful to me after my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. It's very well written by a doctor. "

    — Alice, 10/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I would not recomend this book to anyone unless you are a doctor or like text book reading about how people die. espeshaly ways the heart can malfunction and kill you. "

    — Becca, 10/3/2010

About Sherwin B. Nuland

Sherwin B. Nuland, MD, is clinical professor of surgery at Yale, where he also teaches bioethics and medical history. In addition to his numerous articles for medical publications, he has written for the New Yorker, New Republic, New York Times, Time, and New York Review of Books. He writes a regular column for American Scholar entitled The Uncertain Art. He lives in Connecticut with his family.