To Live Until We Say Goodbye-paperback

by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, whose books on death and dying have sold in the millions, now offers an extraordinary visual record of her work. Through the brilliant photographs of Mal Warshaw, "To Live Until We Say Good-Bye" gives a gripping, intimate view of Dr. Kubler-Ross's counseling work with terminally ill patients as she brings them to an acceptance of death.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Death, Philosophy

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was a Swiss-American psychiatrist, a pioneer in near-death studies, and author of the internationally best-selling book, On Death and Dying (1969), where she first discussed her theory of the five stages of grief, also known as the "Kübler-Ross model".
Kübler-Ross was a 2007 inductee into the National Women's Hall of Fame, was named by Time as one of the "100 Most Important Thinkers" of the 20th century and was the recipient of twenty honorary degrees. By July 1982, Kübler-Ross had taught 125,000 students in death and dying courses in colleges, seminaries, medical schools, hospitals, and social-work institutions. In 1970, she delivered an Ingersoll Lecture at Harvard University on the theme On Death and Dying. The New York Public Library also named, "On Death & Dying" as one of the "Library's Books of the Century."

Reviews

[María Greene F · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantan los libros de esta señora, aunque cada vez me resultan más lacrimógenos y duros, cuando debiera ser al revés, yo más adulta y más resuelta, etcétera. En esta ocasión es un reportaje fotográfico sobre personas con enfermedades terminales, que lo muestra todo pero TODO, y es hermoso pero también desgarrador. Además las edades a las que a alguna gente le toca morirse, hace que uno aprecie seguir vivito y coleando, y también que le baje alguno que otro ataque de hipocondría.

No es para todos, eso sí. Ni siquiera sé por qué leo yo estas cosas. Quizá porque son interesantes y porque me recuerdan lo rápido que, para todos, pasa al final la vida, y cómo entonces hay que vivirla a mango. Son libros inspiradores, a pesar de todo.

Cuidado con leerlo en público eso sí. Porque uno LLORA.

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed this on a whim from the St. Paul's Episcopal Church lending library this morning. I was there for an Alanon meeting. I AM getting on now ...

[Sindy Castellanos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinaria recopilación de testimonios de personas que, en sus últimos días, deciden VIVIR, tomando sus propias decisiones y compartiendo parte de la plenitud de su ser en este libro. La Dra. Ross y el fotógrafo Worshaw presentan de forma conmovedora, gracias a las imágenes, la asombrosa evidencia del proceso de morir, enfrentando los propios miedos y asuntos pendientes.
___________________
Extraordinary compilation of testimonies of people who, in their last days, decide to LIVE, making their own decisions and sharing part of the fullness of their existence in this book. Dr. Ross and photographer Worshaw present in a moving way, through the images, the amazing evidence of their death process, facing their own fears and pending issues.

[Christian Engler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book, To Live Until We Say Good-Bye, is not your common book on dying and grief or even the medical psychology of it, as is quite internationally acknowledged with many of Kubler-Ross's previous works, i.e. On Death and Dying and On Children and Death, et cetera. Rather, out of all of her works (Kubler-Ross), I would have to say that this one is the most accessible and the most outright, in-your-face emotional, the one that really tugs at the heartstrings. But it is a work that does so in a positive, open and meaningful way. Medical and psychiatric jargon is totally set aside and the four dying patients-for whom this book is about-Beth, Jamie, Louise and Jack, are allowed to come to the forefront, to have their stories and experiences related to those (the readers) who are living or could possible be dying themselves. Accompanied by the well written text of Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and the varied contributors are the affecting black and white photographs by Mal Warshaw, photos taken of the very subjects in their assorted states in the dying process. Nothing is held back in respects to the people who are profiled-the good, the bad and the ugly-yet dignity unequivocally pervades. In this book, we meet a former model (Beth), who to the very end, clung to her physical beauty as her paramount asset. However, her written poetry illustrated her articulate and intelligent substance that went way beyond looks: "Voices whispering, Beth, Beth/You can no longer stay/Hand reaching out to grasp/Helping me on my way./I'll no longer ache with sorrow/No longer feel this pain/So adieu and fare thee well now/I shan't see thee again. (P. 37). Also, we meet 71-year-old Jack, a former construction worker and rebounding alcoholic who sadly, lived to see his son die of lung cancer. But he found redemption and purpose by building doll houses for charity while as a patient at St. Rose's Home, run by the Hawthorne Dominicans in New york City. Through the series of photographs, his religious and psychological evolution becomes clearly evident, and it is a humbling and beautiful thing to see. And it is so for all those profiled, especially for Jamie and Louise, the other two patients who become are teachers. And their chapters are equally moving and powerful, if not more so. There too is an in-depth chapter on the fantastic work done by hospice and the heroics of everyday volunteers, people young and old who do not give "all" of themselves in order to give the best of themselves. All in all, To Live Until We Say Good-Bye is another great work that looks at life's final journey.

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories on death and dying. I had to read this in nursing school many years ago, and it gave me courage to attend the dying. Very moving.

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, and still powerful after 37 years.

[Maria Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otorga Respuestas de Infinita Paz ante el morir.

Excelente lectura. Invita mirar la muerte como un hecho bello. Único.
La vida continúa.
Recomiendo todos los textos de la dra Elisabeth Kubler Ross

[Socorro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayuda si te quieres despedir.

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you say goodbye? How do you handle the pain and grief when you've lost someone? How do you know you are not going crazy? Who else understands this pain? I stumbled on this book and was able to relate to the pain all of these people were feeling. This book also gave me hope to continue moving on and to live because we are not guaranteed any time on this earth. Why not live every moment of it.

[Mindurs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read, especially if you recently experienced a loss or if you or someone you love is facing serious health issues.

[Susan Poling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this on the way back to Atlanta after Christmas. I had to keep stopping because I was crying so hard. It is a beautiful book on the Stages of Dying. The photography is superb.

[Teresa Littrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all this book had to tell!