32 pages 1 hour read

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

On Death and Dying

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1969

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In On Death and Dying, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross introduces the five stages of grief experienced by terminally ill patients: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Inspired by her work with these patients and aiming to improve medical education on death, she conducted interviews to explore their experiences and emotions. Kübler-Ross emphasizes the need for open communication among patients, their families, and healthcare providers to navigate the dying process with dignity and peace.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross offers a pioneering exploration of the emotional experiences of terminally ill patients, introducing the now-famous five stages of grief. Praised for its compassionate insights and significant impact on palliative care, critics note it can be dense and somewhat dated. Nevertheless, its empathetic approach remains a valuable resource in understanding human mortality.

Who should read this

Who Should Read On Death and Dying?

A reader who would enjoy On Death and Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross is likely interested in psychology, grief, and the human experience of mortality. They appreciate in-depth, compassionate explorations of end-of-life issues akin to works like Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking and Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Lexile Level

1080L

Book Details

Topics

Science / Nature

Philosophy

Religion / Spirituality

Genre

Psychology

Philosophy

Self Help

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Grief

Life/Time: Mortality & Death

Relationships: Family