Comments (89)

Being Mortal

Medicine and What Matters in the End
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1 to 25 of 89 items
Feb 08, 2024THSlone rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Everyone should read this book. It will give you an excellent view of what aging IS. How to protect yourself against the worst of the ravages, how to find ways to extend and achieve your joys, and how to protect yourself against the…
Jan 28, 2024
Stopped reading on page 48
Jan 19, 2024Nativereader rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The value of this book is immense. We should all be taking his advice to talk with loved ones, especially if they have a terminal diagnosis. The book’s emphasis is on end of life care, and what’s important in the end, however we never…
Sep 05, 2023ArapahoeJane rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was a tough and sobering book but so impactful. Chock full of real life examples, Gawande paints a disturbing view of health care as it is for those with terminal conditions. He also makes a compelling case for change and shares what…
Jul 19, 2023Et18_Andromeda rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Certainly an interesting and, deservedly popular book. It's heavy at times with its symbolism and raw emotion from being a doctor and seeing people die. But sometimes it makes you feel that life is truly sweet. A great read for anyone…
Jun 27, 2023bibliosara rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gawande's intriguing and timely book chronicles the development of elder and hospice care with sensitivity and an innovative perspective. Gawande shares how social expectations around dying have changed with modern medical investments… but…
Jun 13, 2023grittnerk rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Deeply insightful, beautifully written, a personal, professional and global perspective on a most profound universal human experience. Excellent! Important. Highly recommend!
Dec 07, 2022Nasalradiator rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Excellent book for anyone dealing with end of life issues. Must read for adults with parents in their golden years.
Nov 22, 2021
Many parents create birth plans to welcome children into the world. Lots of people develop bucket lists of experiences to pursue. Yet few plan for their inevitable final days. In fact, the desire to avoid thinking about, much less…
May 13, 2021Brisou rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
La lecture de ce livre ...ça commence par une réflexion personnelle sur l'art de vivre et l'expression de ses volontés dans la transition vers le mourir en ayant les yeux bien ouverts face à la réalité qui nous entoure. J'en recommande la…
Feb 04, 20211tarheel rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A really helpful perspective on dying AND aging. Not too complicated, a good mix of stories. This is a book I need to buy, 'cause I expect to come back to it over and over.
Nov 11, 2020patcarstensen rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gawande has appropriate modesty -- not offering a solution but ideas on how to do better.
Nov 09, 2020yvettedun rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book was gorgeous. Absolutely gorgeous. Should be mandatory reading whence someone turns 25. Yes, only 25! It's so important to have a strong grasp on the precariousness of life here on Earth.
Sep 03, 2020Grandma007 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I read this book two years after my husband's death. The moral of this story is that people who provide medical treatment must converse with their patients. When there is a diagnosis tell them. If there is a prognosis discuss it with…
Aug 21, 2020thomas_pement rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Good for all to read and understand the importance of listening, never judging, and respecting the life decisions of our elders both family, and friends.
Aug 14, 2020
Some of us give thought to what it means to truly live, but few of us to how we prefer our lives to end. In fact, the subject is so taboo that even medical professionals avoid it, leading to decisions that dramatically decrease the quality…
Aug 12, 2020ValleriM rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Calling all Baby Boomers and their children! This book is such an important one to read. I have a confession. When I got to page 30, I considered not finishing it. I felt like it was one of the most depressing things I'd ever read,…
Aug 04, 2020Luckybe rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Gawande describes how the medical system has failed those in the final stages of life by using extreme measures to keep people alive regardless of the quality of the life they may be experiencing. He advocates an approach whereby those at…
Mar 27, 2020useapencil rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
My wife recommended this to me. From the title it sounded like another how-to book, a list of things to deal with regarding death and aging. How wrong my assumption! It is a moving, narrative exploration of several issues surrounding…
Jan 30, 2020DCL_Cheryl rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I listened to this in eAudio - it was well narrated. The content was difficult to take in, but worth the listen. It's a book I hesitate to recommend, as I know it is difficult content to process, but I do feel it is well worth it when…
Jan 24, 2020Johntalentino rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Everyone should read this book. It provides an eye-opening look into the how the medical profession and informed family members can improve the quality of life for their aging or ill loved ones.
Nov 11, 2019jycbyt rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent on so many levels. Should be required reading for Life!
Nov 10, 2019
Insightful and informative look at the business of aging and medical interventions, and how it can and should be reformed. I was already familiar with some of the innovations and services as well as the need for reform, but was grateful…
Oct 11, 2019OBLaurie rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Insightful, inspiring and highly useful perspective about how the current system of care for elders and the terminally ill evolved in housing and medicine: retirement communities and assisted living, gerontology and hospice. Great…
fran_cine
Oct 05, 2019fran_cine rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book should be a must read for every physician practicing medicine. Focus needs to change to the wishes of the patient, not the interest in pills and surgeries. Some of us do not wish to be saved! Rather, a natural death is desired.…