Social Science : Death & Dying

Just one hundred years ago, Americans almost universally condemned cremation. Today, nearly one-quarter of Americans choose to be cremated. The practice has gained wide acceptance as a funeral rite, in both our private and public lives, as the cremations of icons such as John Lennon and John F. more...

Price: $15.95

'Death is the elephant in the living room - the huge thing that everyone knows is there but no one mentions... By letting each of the people in this book tell their story in their own way Clare Jenkins and Judy Merry have shown the individuality of grief... The stories show, too, that the dead belong to no one. All we possess are those parts of our own stories which we shared with those we grieve for. 'Yet, out of all the unique stories in this intensely compassionate and humane book, comes the understanding that, alone as we are in our grief, such suffering shows us that what matters most in life is the love we have for one another.'. - from the Foreword by Dorothy Rowe. 'This is a book that opens windows onto the raw, honest and very personal accounts of the unique feelings of grief experienced by dozens of people - some you will know and others you won't. Each section, told from the perspective of a different relationship, is thoughtfully introduced and then the feelings and the experiences simply speak for themselves. No textbook can be as eloquent or as helpful as the personal accounts of grief to be found on these pages - an essential book for anyone concerned to look beneath the surface and to try to understand better the experience of others.'. - Simon Armson, former Chief Executive of the Samaritans. 'Everyone should read this book. Death, real death, that is, has become an undiscussable subject. There is a lot of pretend death in our television, film and cartoon entertainment, but we never really believe it will happen to us and those we love. We don't prepare ourselves properly for the possibility, and when it does happen, don't understand our own feelings which can range, as the authors point out, from obvious sadness to anger and hatred aimed at the very person who died, because we are so upset by it. Clare Jenkins and Judy Merry are to be congratulated warmly for producing a very, very important book indeed. I strongly urge you to read it.' - Claire Ra more...

Price: $19.95

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Price: $54.00

Ulla -Carin Lindquist was happily married, with four adoring children and a successful career as a newscaster. All of that changed when her fiftieth birthday drew near, and she was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In the face of this incurable, degenerative disease, Ulla kept a journal chronicling the last years of her life, not only for her children’s sake but also to help her cope with her impending death. As powerful and moving as books such as The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and Tuesdays with Morrie, Ulla’s unflinching account is an unforgettable reminder of how precious life really is. more...

Price: $12.00

Silent Grief is a book for and about “suicide survivors” – those who have been left behind by the suicide of a friend or loved one. Author Christopher Lukas is a suicide survivor himself – several members of his family have taken their own lives – and the book draws on his own experiences, as well as those of numerous other suicide survivors. These personal testimonies are combined with the professional expertise of Henry M. Seiden, a psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist. The authors present information on common experiences of bereavement, grief reactions and various ways of coping. Their message is that it is important to share one's experience of “survival” with others and they encourage survivors to overcome the perceived stigma or shame associated with suicide and to seek support from self-help groups, psychotherapy, family therapy, Internet support forums or simply a friend or family member who will listen. Silent Grief gives valuable insights into living in the wake of suicide and provides useful strategies and support for those affected by a suicide, as well as professionals in the field of psychology, social work, and medicine. more...

Price: $19.95