Rating: 
Summary: Not for the faint-hearted
Review: A moving and detailed compendium of major causes of death, their physical causes and manifestations, and the effects on a victim's life and family. Tragically sad, yet realistic and imminently important, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants the truth about their body, their life, and how the beginning and the middle can affect the end.
Rating: 
Summary: A flawed but potentially influencial expose
Review: Although great science books like those of Darwin and Freud profoundly influence society, not all influential science books are great. Surgeon Sherwin Nuland has drawn attention to the topic of death and dying in a format that is accessible to a large audience, and could lead to more informed debate about euthenasia and other end-of-life issues. Nuland informs the reader about the mechanisms of death in some depth, reducing the mystery and horror of the topic to the point that it can be dealt with rationally. The problem with the book is thematic uneveness. After the promising first chapter I expected to be forced into a cold hard look at that from which I usually hide my eyes. But Dr. Nuland is a charmingly emotional and empathetic fellow who can bear to look into the abyss only sporadically. For example, he spares no details in cataloging the effects of cancer on the organs, but then lapses into the literary in his comparison of tumor cells to unruly teenagers. Like everyone else he has dealt with deaths of his patients, friends and family with protective emotional constructs that pop up with increasing frequency as the book progresses. His description of the dying AIDS patient's loving support group was downright gooey. Dr. Nuland also strays from his main theme and into public policy, where he is not convincing. He identifies human villians in Medicine's approach to dying; the specialists who won't give up when the cause is lost. He wants to "encourage" med students through discouraging policies not to specialize (note that Nuland is a specialist). This, I suppose, will protect patients from doctors who are technically qualified to try too hard. Nuland's advocacy positions are cheery news to HMO's that want to reduce the cost of end-of-life care.
Rating: 
Summary: A Unique Read
Review: How We Die is a moving and unaffected book about one's dying. Dr. Nuland attempts to answer in uncommonly moving observations
what it looks like, what it feels like on life's final journey. Interestingly, upon reading the insightful descriptive stories, I believe the reader will look at life in a very different way.
I found Dr. Nuland to have the rare ability to explain the "hard to explain" status of dying in an easy, readable format. The seriousness of death was dealt with in a compassionate way and Dr. Nuland softened the message.
Rating:
Summary: Death comes to all; it's how you live that matters.
Review: Humans are probably the only animals capable of understanding their mortality and envisioning the day of their death. Sherwin B. Nuland shows, however, that while we conceptualize our eventual demise, most people have unrealistic expectations of their death. Misconceptions abound. The expectation of a noble death with loved ones gathered, final farewells, and then eternal slumber forms a common though inaccurate mental image of what many people look forward to in their final moments.There are several themes that permeate Nuland's books. One theme is that death, like birth, is a messy process. Though we may wish for the noble death, more likely we will die slowly from a lack of oxygen in the brain. This, in turn, will result from a failing heart, lungs, or blood vessels. Death does not come easy, and although the final moment is sometime serene and tranquil, months or weeks of painful physical degeneration often precedes it. The second theme in Nuland's book is that death is not only inevitable, it is necessary. While life should be fought for as long as possible, we should all realize that ultimately the battle will be lost. We will die. Nuland takes a dim view of heroic attempts to extend life beyond the point where the body has simply failed and death becomes not only inevitable, but also the proper way for nature to renew herself. Nature uses death to clear the way for new generations, and just as we cannot experience the green buds of spring unless the leaves from last season fall to the ground, the very nature of life demands that when death becomes inevitable we exit the stage for the next generation. Nuland's third point is that the measure of a life is not found so much in how we die, but in how we live and how we are remembered. Few of us can control the way in which we die. For some of us it will be quick, for others death will linger and the process will be slow and painful. Some will find humiliation in the loss of bodily functions or mental facilities. However it comes to anyone of us, death is just a part of our lives and the real meaning in death is in the life remembered. Chapters 1 and 2 focus on the heart, how and why it fails, and what are the consequences in terms of how death is precipitated. These chapters include some personal stories, but are mostly factual in nature. They make fascinating reading for anyone interested in how the body works, as well as those interested in death itself. Chapter 3 is one of the most poignant and describes the author's personal experiences in the life and death of his Grandmother who raised him after his parents died when he was eleven. Nuland is a medical doctor, and he describes the deaths of many people in his book, including the death of his Grandmother and his brother. All these descriptions are stark. There is no attempt to cover up the messiness of death, yet the stories are told with such deep compassion and understanding of the human condition and suffering that they bring a deep upwelling in the soul. Chapter 4 basically outlines Nuland's view that "Among living creatures, to die and leave the stage is the way of nature - old age is the preparation for departure, the gradual easing out of life that makes its ending more palatable not only for the elderly but for those also to whom they leave the world in trust." Chapter 5 describes Alzheimer's disease, and is one of the most interesting chapters in the book. This book includes some of the history of Alzheimer's disease, how the disease manifests itself, and how it kills. Like many other topics in his book, Nuland illustrates the subject by describing the process of degeneration and death due to this disease through his personal experiences with individuals he knew. The sixth chapter, titled "Murder and Scerenity," was difficult for me. It contains a vivid description of the death of a little girl by a knife-wielding maniac. The subject of the chapter is how the body produces chemicals that place it in a type of trance when under tremendous stress. The story of little Katie is very poignant. I hardly ever cry, but I did as I read of the way she died. Interestingly, though, I think that understanding the physiology described in this chapter can be a source of solace even for those who have lost loved ones through violent tragedy. Chapter 7 discusses suicide and euthanasia. Nuland seems to take a dim view of suicide as promoted by some organizations, but he seems to hold open the possibility of doctors taking a more active roll in the final moments of death as patients ask for help in the process. This chapter brought some personal reflection to me, since I'm from Oregon. I voted with the majority of my fellow citizens to allow doctors to help their patients end their suffering (Oregon's law has abundant safeguards and cannot result in euthanasia or death for monetary relief). Ultimately, though, our voices could be rejected. Interestingly, Gordon Smith, a Senator from Oregon, has proven fundamental in overriding the Oregon voters on this issue. Chapters 8 and 9 review the story of aids and how that disease kills it victims, while chapters 10 and 11 describe death by cancer. Chapter 12 summarizes, and leaves the reader contemplating the fact that it's all but certain we will each die by one or more of the processes described in Nuland's book. How we die, and how we will be remembered, however, are entirely up to each of us as individuals
Rating:
Summary: A Wise and Gentle Doctor On Death
Review: I came across this book by accident, yet I read it in one sitting. It is a book I believe everyone should read. Dr. Nuland takes the reader on a journey through the physical aspects of life's greatest mystery -- death. One would think that the topic of this book would render the reader sad or anxious. Instead, one finishes with a sense of comfort. Dr. Nuland allows us to see through his eyes (and his patients) what we fear most. By addressing this fear in clear scientific terms, as well as the inherent emotional and spiritual ones, we are allowed to face our fears and come to a calm understanding of what will happen to us all. Dr. Nuland dispels many myths surrounding how we SHOULD die and relates quite simply how we DO die. He discusses the current trends in planned death and explains that death usually is quite out of our control. The fact that it is out of control is what is oddly comforting. What we cannot control, we worry the least about.
I left this wonderful book with a new understanding of my own mortality, as well as the deaths of those who have gone before me. I cannot recommend this book too highly.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating, compelling, one of my all-time favorites
Review: I cannot say enough good things about this book. It's one of my favorite books of all time. Of course, I'm a bit odd in that I find medical topics and CSI-type stuff fascinating. Beautifully weaves a variety of information in a logical style to explain everyday things such as why some older people have swollen ankles and what it says about their overall health. Perfect for anyone who likes problem-solving, diagnosing illnesses, and learning unusual tidbits along the way...
Rating:
Summary: Don't be afraid to read this book
Review: I'm not sure what made me read "How We Die". It just appeared on my reader's radar a couple of years ago. First let me say that what I came away with was a profound sense of the awesomeness of human life and death, especially the awesomeness of physical death. The author explains in careful and graphic detail what happens to the body's systems under various scenarios that eventually result in the inevitable death of the body. Strangely, this information was more embracing and empowering than depressing and sad. Somehow, the knowledge of WHAT really happens when we die frees me to move on to HOW I feel about it and how I can deal with it. For me, the book stripped much of the power from various traditional, political, religous, legal, societal, and familial interpretations of this event, and allowed me to start to think it through for myself. Long after I finished the book, I found myself reflecting on the information presented by the author, and more importantly, digging deeply into my own psyche and soul to uncover what I really feel and believe. When my father died last year, I felt able to observe and participate in the process with less fear and dread, and more of a sense of power than if I had never read the book. While the events and circumstance of his illness and eventual death were extremely sad and difficult, I credit this book (and the mental and emotional effort I put into reading and reflecting on it) with allowing me to accept the fact that my father was going to die, and to deal with everything that had to be dealt with. Thank you, Dr. Nuland.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary!!
Review: The author tries to explain experiences related to death both from medical and phylosophical perspective. He explains the major deseases (main causes of death), such as Alzheimer' desease, stroke, aatherosclerosis, cancer and just aging, in very clear and understandable language. But he doesn't stop at explaining what is happening technically with the body, he also proceeds with the desease progress as seen by the patient and other people around him. The author draws not only from his vast experience as a doctor, but also from his personal experience, which makes this book even more powerful. The main point of the book is that author belives we need to know about death to be better prepared to the end. I don't know about this but I just can say that the book left me quite depressed. It's not neccessarily a bad thing but the book is definitely not for everybody. Besides knowing the subject, Sherwin Nuland is a very good writer and this results in very convincing and powerful book. The only point that the author makes that I cannot agree with is that there is no reason to try to change the order of things in the world in regards to aging. The author believes that all attempts to prolong life are meaningless since there is an order in the world where young species replace old and that's how it supposed to be. I find such approach too 'weak' and passive, degrading in a way the purpose of humanity on Earth. Having said this, it does not affect my opinion that this is extraodinary book.
Rating:
Summary: Not for the faint-hearted
Review: This book should come with a warning label: "NOT TO BE READ BY THOSE RECENTLY BEREAVED." It is a very macabre book and will only worsen the grief.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, but provokes anxiety
Review: This is a very good book, however, the atmosphere of
helplessness that it creates in the wake of the impending
agony of death makes me feel part of that agony even now,
as I live each minute of my still seemingly healthy life.
Though the book is very truthful and thought provoking
and does not invoke any afterlife myths unlike some other
books on the subject of death and dying, I would not recommend
it to sensitive people since it can increase suicidal
tendencies in our already very stressful world.
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