What Dying People Want: Practical Wisdom for the End of Life

Rating:
Summary: Not Only for the Terminally Ill
Review: Dr. David Kuhl's book is the culmination of a ten year research study sponsored by the Project on Death in America. After receiving special training, he listened to the stories of people diagnosed with either cancer or AIDS. Even though his subjects, or "coresearchers" (his preferred term) were of varied marital, sexual, social, financial, familial and cultural backgrounds, their stories revealed common themes. Dr. Kuhl explains what each theme means to his coresearchers and translates their experiences into useful advice for terminally ill people, the people who love them and the health professionals caring for them.
Dr. Kuhl has written a quiet, thoughtful and moving book that is also quite practical. But be forewarned: it's not easy reading. For to acknowledge the dying experiences of others, we must confront our own mortality. Those who take the journey through to the end of the book may discover unexpected places in themselves more comfortably left hidden. But as Dr. Kuhl states, "Living and dying well involve enhancing one's sense of self, one's relationships with others, and one's understanding of the transcendent, the spiritual, the supernatural. And only in confronting the inevitability of death does one truly embrace life."

Rating:
Summary: A wise and wonderful book
Review: Dr. David Kuhl's book is the culmination of a ten year research study sponsored by the Project on Death in America. After receiving special training, he listened to the stories of people diagnosed with either cancer or AIDS. Even though his subjects, or "coresearchers" (his preferred term) were of varied marital, sexual, social, financial, familial and cultural backgrounds, their stories revealed common themes. Dr. Kuhl explains what each theme means to his coresearchers and translates their experiences into useful advice for terminally ill people, the people who love them and the health professionals caring for them.
Dr. Kuhl has written a quiet, thoughtful and moving book that is also quite practical. But be forewarned: it's not easy reading. For to acknowledge the dying experiences of others, we must confront our own mortality. Those who take the journey through to the end of the book may discover unexpected places in themselves more comfortably left hidden. But as Dr. Kuhl states, "Living and dying well involve enhancing one's sense of self, one's relationships with others, and one's understanding of the transcendent, the spiritual, the supernatural. And only in confronting the inevitability of death does one truly embrace life."

Rating:
Summary: rational guide to understanding the needs of the dying
Review: This book explores the rational needs of the dying and is well written and easy to understand, in parts engaging though a bit lengthy.
Caregivers,friends,family of dying can gain some insight into the personal and social aspects of some of the issues the dying deal with including coping with pain, cargeivers, friends, family, and finding meaning. Nonetheless,it lacks thoroughness, is somewhat unsystematic and oversimplifies many aspects of dying.The author failed to borrow from many studies now available on hospice and palliative care not to mention social psychology and communication theory.The author seems to believe finding meaning for the dying is critical and achieveable. In this regard, I am reminded of William James belief about "healthy-mindedness"-an unrealistic optimism which is uncanny given the author is critical of how caregivers provide for the dying.
If you want a cursory, rational, unemotional beginners guide to what the dying deal with this is a decent choice but sedulous professionals or serious devotee need look elsewhere.