How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter

A physician who teaches at the Yale School of Medicine, Nuland writes gracefully about a topic most of us would rather not dwell on--our impending deaths. He demystifies the process of dying by providing straightforward information on the clinical, biological and emotional details of deaths resulting from heart disease, stroke, cancer, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, old age, accidents, suicide, euthanasia and murder or violent physical assault. Crammed with intriguing scientific findings and useful facts, as well as case histories of dying patients whom Nuland ( Doctors: The Biography of Medicine ) has treated, his report is imbued with wisdom rooted in a belief that the dignity we seek in dying must be found in the art of living life to the fullest. 50,000 first printing. (Feb.)