On Death and Dying

What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy, and Their Own Family

By: Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Narrated by: Carol Bilger, cast

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's Summary

The world-famous best seller that brought new insight, hope and understanding to millions now available on CD!

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross created her classic seminal work, On Death and Dying, to offer us a new perspective on the terminally ill. It is not a psychoanalytic study, nor is it a "how-to" manual for managing death. Rather, it refocuses on the patient as a human being and a teacher, in the hope that we will learn from him or her about the final stages of life. 

On Death and Dying examines the attitudes of the dying and the factors that contribute to society's anxiety over death. It closely looks at the five stages of death - denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance - and how the dying and living deal with them. 

In addition, this program offers multi-voice readings of some of the most revealing interviews Dr. Kübler-Ross conducted with her patients. By hearing some of the most intimate and sensitive feelings expressed by those men and women, it is hoped that we may learn more about death and lessen our own anxieties about the natural course of our lives. 

At its heart, On Death and Dying is a truly remarkable program about communication - offering insight on how to talk with and listen to the terminally ill, and truly hear their fears, hopes, angers, and anxieties. 

©1969 Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (P)1991, 2000, 2005 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers, LLC

Critic Reviews

"This presentation of the seminal work in this field may offer new insight even to those who have already read it....They [the unnamed readers] like Bilger, are skillful and work well together. Their voices are well modulated and reflect intensity of emotion without being overdone. The abridgment is smooth, and the transition between narration and dialogue is handled well." (AudioFile)

Why the melancholic music and tone?

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I'm a psychologist and I recommend this (HIGHLY) both for clinicians and ANY PERSON who is trying to understand death, dying, and the temporary nature of our physical existence.

What did you like best about this story?

The direct and candid discussion of a topic too many people avoid was refreshing and inspiring. Death is a reality but we don't have to be afraid of it. We just need to realize it and understand the role of death....in life.

Would you be willing to try another one of Carol Bilger and cast ’s performances?

No, I really did not like the melancholic and overly dramatic music and the overly empathetic tone of her voice. It reminded me of bad depictions of therapists in movies. Harps??? ...really, seriously???...and that constant piano interlude designed to make the listener "feel" the mood. It was not necessary and actually that undermines the purpose of the book. The book is supposed to help people become realistic.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

Too many to name.

Any additional comments?

Great book but if I can ever find another audio version with just the reading of the text without the pseudo emotion provoking music, I'll get that one instead.

Know Thy Self Whilst Young

This audiobook is a splended primer for all people on the subject of death. It takes a kind and soothing look at the topic which most Americans are afraid to examine; our own mortality.

The book is both an easy read or audio experience. It is written at a level which the common man will feel unafraid to encounter.

I am a survivor of a Sucide some eight years now . My son attempted twice to complete suicide but we were able to save hi those times. He completed his Sucide 14 December 2002 at age seventeen.

You have to learn to be able to say the word suicide just like you have to talk with loved ons about your feelings in a death experience

Every person above the age of reason should avail themselves of the wisdom in this book "On Death and Dying"gives humans You learn Dying is the last process of human life then comes death that carries us beyoun the vale.

Stands the test of time

Anyone who has experienced loss -- the death of a loved one, the loss of a job -- will benefit from this program. The program was a big help in dealing with the loss of my father. A wonderful production.

Death and Dying

Although this is recap of a study done in the sixties I would hope that today these attitudes are the norm. Some of the insights were especially touching but, unfortunately we'll all have to experience death and its effects at some time or another. This book would be best utilized by those whose occupation would expose them to the terminally ill.

A very important classic on dying

It was good to listen to this abridged recording of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' classic "On Death and Dying." The book is written pastorally with the aim of sensitising and helping members of any of the helping professions to deal with people who face death. Kubler-Ross gives some very important perspectives on the whole matter and helps the listener to understand that dignity and self-worth are of utmost importance when dealing with someone facing death. Also don't beat around the bush.

I found the book very valuable. While I know the stages of dying as well as grieving, this helped me place this knowledge into perspective.

The book was superbly narrated by Carol Bilger and for the interview examples other voices was brought in to complement hers.

This is a well-rounded production of a very important book - one which I highly recommend.

Disappointing . . . !

What would have made On Death and Dying better?

The first half of this book is informative and digs into the issues of end-of-life from the patient's, family's and sometimes the healthcare provider's view. I also appreciate the in-depth interviews in the second half of the book, this added a necessary narrative to difficult topics that a lot of people avoid discussing. However, I felt as if I was bamboozled because the second half read like a Christian radio programme! I appreciate the role of religion and fate at the end of life but I believe the choice of qualitative interviews went overboard to almost sway the reader/listener toward a specific religious belief. Again, disappointing!

Has On Death and Dying turned you off from other books in this genre?

I hope not.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from On Death and Dying?

Objective editing of the book!

Provides a great understanding of why we act the way we do!

I am a Paramedic. Being in the field faced with death whether sudden or expected, is always a very hard subject to deal with! This book offers a very good understanding of why we act the way we do when faced with our own mortality.

Comforting

I recently loss my father who was on hospice care for about a month. This is the greatest loss I've ever felt. Although I can relate to some of the stories told in this book it was helpful to understand what my dad was experiencing/feeling at the time. The narrator's voice was comforting for such a sensitive subject.

I Loved this book , so insightful

my 28 yr daughter recently passed.the pain is immense.Hearing of others struggles was comforting.Enlightening , Encouraging.

Terrible narration

I had to surrender the attempt to listen to this book. The author is a professional doctor, discussing death and its impact, and how a study of it can inform other professional doctors. Death, the message is, should be confronted honestly. The book therefore seems to have been written in an approprietly sober tone. The various narrators, however, read it like it's bad love poetry, all soft and breathy, as if we, as listeners, couldn't handle the topic of death without the scent of roses in the air. That's irony, that is. I couldn't keep from gagging.

not as insightful for told

for a seminal work on doctor - terminal patient interactions this seems so rediculously skewed to a Christian audience. It is more a study on people's use religion to help with a terminal illness than practical guidance on how a physician, family member or friend should behave around a terminal person. I understand this a book of its time, I just don't think it should be sold and/or used as a manual today.

good but very Christian

great listen but too much emphasis on Christianity. the book offers good insight into the dying person's needs

More niche than I thought

I know this is a classic on dying, which is the reason I got it, but I found it mostly useful for doctors and nurses who deal with terminal patients. The book is about how you should communicate with such patients, based on the author's experience and exemplifying with several interviews. It also mentions god and religion a lot, which I as an Atheist found unhelpful. It is still an interesting read, especially Chapter 2 which covers the 5 stages of acceptance, but not a high recommendation from me.

Great

This audiobook helped me to connect with the reality of human suffering in an original way.
We live in a society that consciously avoid to talk about death and human suffering in a sensitive and natural way which is something vital for our development and personal growth.

very interesting

Interesting personal stories throughout, the closing words are touching and poignant. Timeless.
Has given me some fresh understanding.