Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End –by Atul Gawande

Nonfiction

297 pages / 1370 KB

5 Stars

For me, one of the greatest things about this book is Dr. Gawande did not go into lengths of spirituality. For those of faith, this might be disconcerting; for the rest of us, it was a welcome departure. That's not to say he is against the spiritual aspects people may have, that is to say, he left that topic alone for each to think on as they choose. Instead, he gave me information needed for me to grow older, what to expect when/if I become debilitated, and the importance of an MD who if not a specialist in Geriatrics at least has a passing understanding of the fact that us older farts and fartesses have different needs and reactions to medications than we had a couple years ago.

If dying is a topic of interest (after all, we're each going to), whether you need information, relief from fear, or are just curious about it, I heartily recommend this book. If you are faced with the prospect of caring for aging or ill parents, family, or friends, this book should be a necessary read.

Several years ago, I read How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter by Dr. Sherwin B. Nuland. I found Being Mortal a perfect companion piece to Dr. Nuland's Book. The same subject only from a different perspective.