Staring at the Sun

Overcoming the Terror of Death

By: Irvin D. Yalom

Narrated by: Gregory Gorton

Irvin D. Yalom is an author whose best-selling trade books and novels tell compelling, dramatic, and illuminating stories with which readers can identify.

At 74, Yalom has penned a book that is the climax of his lifework, focusing on the universal human issues of mortality and death. He suggests that what he calls the "awakening experience" can help us acknowledge, accept, and utilize our fear of death in a very positive manner. Such an awakening experience can be as simple as a dream, or quick as a sudden insight. It is often a loss, a trauma, or just plain aging that can prompt an awakening experience that is a turning point for a more meaningful life. He discusses how people can make lasting changes in their lives, rearrange their priorities, communicate more deeply with those they love, eliminate interpersonal fears of rejection, and increase a willingness to take risks for personal fulfillment and a life filled with love.

©2009 Irvin D. Yalom (P)2009 BBC Audio

Another excellent Yalom book!

While I love all of Yalom’s books this one is my favorite. It is a culmination of brilliant writing and existential psychological/philosophical thought regarding the inevitability of death. Yalom discloses several stories from his past that has played a role in shaping his own feelings regarding death.

Understanding universal death anxiety

You don't need to be a therapist to gain a lot of insight from Dr. Yalom's book.

compassionate, meaningful, and eye-opening

a masterful reading of a book discussing one the most taboo subjects for humanity - I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time

Must read

This book is awesomely thought provoking and is greet for all aspiring counselors and therapists or anyone looking at working in the helping profession with those facing end of life and those who are grieving

Excellent insight and stories!

Loved the book, the narration was a little odd when portraying various patients, but they were quite entertaining. Highly recommended!

Great book, frustrating audio

I love Yalom and a book of his has yet to fail to captivate me. Unfortunately, the audiobook reader tries to do horrible accents while reading quotes from other characters. I literally cringed in disgust at some of his offensive accents. Too bad really because his normal voice for most of the book is nice.

Great introduction to existentialism

If you are thinking about becoming a therapist, this is a classic and should read it!

Adding to my favorites

5 stars all around. I have been in the mental health field for a few years but am new to the therapist role. This book is incredibly insightful and valuable. The case presentations provided depth to the discussion of facing death

Good read

It’s a good read but it’s not my favorite Yalom’s book. Recommend it if you’re done with his other books.

A great book

A wonderful book that I found to be developmental and maturative for a young man coming of age such as myself. I found this book to be well written and I further highly recommend this book.