The Whole Death Catalog: A Lively Guide to the Bitter End

by Harold Schechter

Book Overview

In the tradition of Mary Roach's bestselling Stiff and Jessica Mitford's classic expose The American Way of Death comes this meticulously researched, refreshingly irreverent, and lavishly illustrated look at death from acclaimed author Harold Schechter. With his trademark fearlessness and bracing sense of humor, Schechter digs deep into a wealth of sources to unearth a treasure trove of surprising facts, amusing anecdotes, practical information, and timeless wisdom about that undiscovered country to which we will all one day travel. Topics include . Death anxiety-is your fear of death normal or off the scale? . You can't take it with you . . . or can you? Wacky wills and bizarre bequests . The hospice experience-going out in comfort and style . Deathbed and funeral etiquette-how to help the dying and mourn the dead with dignity . Death on demand-why the right-to-die movement may be the next big thing . "Good-bye everybody"-famous last words . The embalmer's art-all dressed up and nowhere to go . Behind the scenes at your local funeral home . Alternative burial choices-from coral reefs to outer space From the cold, hard facts of death to lessons in the art of dying well, from what happens in the body's last living moments to what transpires in the ground or in the furnace, from near-death experiences to speculation on the afterlife, The Whole Death Catalog leaves no gravestone unturned.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345499646
• ISBN13: 9780345499646
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.2" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Lively Death Catalogue

My favorite xmas present. This book covers it all when it comes to death. It is perfect for anyone who loves cemeteries (me!) or interested in the death/funeral industry. Written with humor, it's one of those books you just can't put down. All the other reviews say more, but I say a big YES to this book. Lots of fun and interesting as well.

Hilarious, informative, ghoulish--the perfect book!!!

I knew absolutely nothing about this book when purchased, and now it is my favorite. It is described perfectly on the cover "A lively Guide to the Bitter End." Contains web sites for additional reading on a topic, which I explored several. Also several virtual sites where you can tour famous cemeteries, the top 10 you must see before YOU die is especially entertaining. And who does not need to know the handy guide to putrefaction. The final chapter of the book is "Death Can Be Fun" and includes sections such as deaths in the movies, death's playlist, mortuary museums and finally The Last Word. I could continue about all the photos and definitions included but at some point I must stop, strongly urging a very fun read!

Great to the Bitter End

Great book. Covers all things about death--including fun facts! you will enjoy this book, and I guarentee you will learn something you didn't know!

The Whole Death Catalog

Harold Schechter encompasses all aspects of the death process from forensic science to the burial process. This in-depth look at a subject most of us shy away from is handled respectfully, yet candidly. A real eye-opener.

History, Humor, Anthropology & Sociology All in One!

Fascinating book that is now making the rounds of family members who were intrigued by my enthusiastic description. This truly does cover the subject of death completely, but is written in a conversational way so that technical details are enjoyable reading. The author includes much trivia and many references for other interesting books, magazines and articles on the subject, that piqued my interest even more, causing me to notate pages for follow-up.