In 'A Beginner's Guide to the End,' BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger tackle the often-ignored subject of death with compassion and humor. They blend personal stories, expert insights, and practical advice to help readers navigate the end of life with dignity and grace. This book is a gentle yet empowering exploration of mortality, challenging societal taboos and encouraging open conversations. Perfect for those seeking to embrace life fully, it equips readers with the tools to approach death as a natural part of the human experience. Discover how to make the most of every moment, no matter where you are on the journey.
By BJ Miller, Shoshana Berger
Published: 2019
""Life is a series of moments, and how we face the inevitable end defines the richness of those moments.""
“A gentle, knowledgeable guide to a fate we all share” (The Washington Post): the first and only all-encompassing action plan for the end of life. “There is nothing wrong with you for dying,” hospice physician B.J. Miller and journalist and caregiver Shoshana Berger write in A Beginner’s Guide to the End. “Our ultimate purpose here isn’t so much to help you die as it is to free up as much life as possible until you do.” Theirs is a clear-eyed and big-hearted action plan for approaching the end of life, written to help readers feel more in control of an experience that so often seems anything but controllable. Their book offers everything from step-by-step instructions for how to do your paperwork and navigate the healthcare system to answers to questions you might be afraid to ask your doctor, like whether or not sex is still okay when you’re sick. Get advice for how to break the news to your employer, whether to share old secrets with your family, how to face friends who might not be as empathetic as you’d hoped, and how to talk to your children about your will. (Don’t worry: if anyone gets snippy, it’ll likely be their spouses, not them.) There are also lessons for survivors, like how to shut down a loved one’s social media accounts, clean out the house, and write a great eulogy. An honest, surprising, and detail-oriented guide to the most universal of all experiences, A Beginner’s Guide to the End is “a book that every family should have, the equivalent of Dr. Spock but for this other phase of life” (New York Times bestselling author Dr. Abraham Verghese).
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“"Life is a series of moments, and how we face the inevitable end defines the richness of those moments."”
A Beginner's Guide to the End
By BJ Miller, Shoshana Berger
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
BJ Miller is a renowned author and speaker, celebrated for his poignant exploration of life, death, and the fragility of human experiences. He is best known for his memoir "A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death," co-authored with Jesse Cohen, which offers valuable insights on navigating mortality with grace and humor. BJ's writing style combines compassion with honesty, often drawing from his own life experiences as a hospice and palliative care physician. His works encourage readers to confront difficult topics and embrace the beauty of life's fleeting moments.
Shoshana Berger is a renowned author and speaker, known for her insightful exploration of personal narratives and the human experience. Her notable works include "Wonderland" and "The Art of Daring: Risk, Restlessness, Imagination," which showcase her ability to weave poignant stories that reveal the complexities of life. Recognized for her engaging writing style and keen observations, Berger's works often delve into themes of identity, creativity, and resilience, drawing readers into a thoughtful reflection on their own journeys.
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