Sample
  • The Denial of Death

  • By: Ernest Becker
  • Narrated by: Raymond Todd
  • Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
  • 4.2 out of 5 stars (1,819 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Denial of Death

By: Ernest Becker
Narrated by: Raymond Todd
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.90

Buy for $17.90

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1974 and the culmination of a life's work, The Denial of Death is Ernest Becker's brilliant and impassioned answer to the "why" of human existence. In bold contrast to the predominant Freudian school of thought, Becker tackles the problem of the vital lie: man's refusal to acknowledge his own mortality. In doing so, he sheds new light on the nature of humanity and issues a call to life and its living that still resonates more than 30 years after its writing.

©1973 Free Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A brave work of electrifying intelligence and passion, optimistic and revolutionary, destined to endure." (New York Times Book Review)

"Ranks among the truly important books of the year. Professor Becker writes with power and brilliant insight." (Publishers Weekly)

Featured Article: 30+ Quotes About Creativity to Inspire Your Process


No matter what field you’re in—be it art, writing, science, tech, or sales—coming up with creative ideas can be frustrating. But here’s the reassuring truth: every single creative has struggled with the same fears. Fortunately, many have documented their experiences, leaving us the words we need to hear when we really feel stuck. We’ve compiled this handy list of creativity quotes from people in all different fields to help guide and inspire you.

What listeners say about The Denial of Death

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,072
  • 4 Stars
    362
  • 3 Stars
    187
  • 2 Stars
    95
  • 1 Stars
    103
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    898
  • 4 Stars
    330
  • 3 Stars
    139
  • 2 Stars
    53
  • 1 Stars
    48
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    833
  • 4 Stars
    276
  • 3 Stars
    162
  • 2 Stars
    90
  • 1 Stars
    84

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very interesting

not really a book for the closed minded. Interesting theory that Iagree with to an extent, but not wholeheartedly. narrator has a pleasant voice.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great review of man’s search for meaning

Death and psychoanalysis sex, and its role in the formation of a complete human. This book is a testament to all western thought relating to the subject of death and men’s dual nature as both animal and symbolic entity.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Long winded

I finished the book but it was a difficult listen for sure . Separately from the review I disagree completely with the authors evaluation of the homosexual . We are not perverts and do not seek “ ourselves” in our mates .

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Dated but interesting

It’s an older book and it shows. With that said it is an interesting read.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Not a solution book. Nice thesis.

It lays out the issues well. But there is no solution. Maybe there is really no solution. Or if there is a solution in the book, it is not laid out in a 5 part plan or anything like that - you have to learn from contemplating on it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite book

Challenging and speculative, but thoroughly enjoyable. I love the way the narrator reads too. Cant recommend highly enough!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very eye opening of your willing to be open

I'm listening to this the second time after finishing it . I need to take notes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Complicated for people other than psychology students.

Very complicated language. May be because it meant for psychology students.

Also, the author thinks the Christian way of life is better while calling it lie and mortality project. Why ? Did I misunderstood? It would be nice if someone can explain.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Stimulating

Nice mesh between existentialism and psychoanalysis. Freud makes more sense if we switch the sex repression out for existential angst!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Such an interesting book

This book goes into our perceptions of reality and what that means for us and everything we do.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!