End-of-Life Books

This book explores the rational needs of the dying and is well written and easy to understand, in parts engaging though a bit lengthy.
Caregivers,friends,family of dying can gain some insight into the personal and social aspects of some of the issues the dying deal with including coping with pain, cargeivers, friends, family, and finding meaning. Nonetheless,it lacks thoroughness, is somewhat unsystematic and oversimplifies many aspects of dying.The author failed to borrow from many studies now available on hospice and palliative care not to mention social psychology and communication theory.The author seems to believe finding meaning for the dying is critical and achieveable. In this regard, I am reminded of William James belief about "healthy-mindedness"-an unrealistic optimism which is uncanny given the author is critical of how caregivers provide for the dying.
If you want a cursory, rational, unemotional beginners guide to what the dying deal with this is a decent choice but sedulous professionals or serious devotee need look elsewhere.

Dr. David Kuhl's book is the culmination of a ten year research study sponsored by the Project on Death in America. After receiving special training, he listened to the stories of people diagnosed with either cancer or AIDS. Even though his subjects, or "coresearchers" (his preferred term) were of varied marital, sexual, social, financial, familial and cultural backgrounds, their stories revealed common themes. Dr. Kuhl explains what each theme means to his coresearchers and translates their experiences into useful advice for terminally ill people, the people who love them and the health professionals caring for them.
Dr. Kuhl has written a quiet, thoughtful and moving book that is also quite practical. But be forewarned: it's not easy reading. For to acknowledge the dying experiences of others, we must confront our own mortality. Those who take the journey through to the end of the book may discover unexpected places in themselves more comfortably left hidden. But as Dr. Kuhl states, "Living and dying well involve enhancing one's sense of self, one's relationships with others, and one's understanding of the transcendent, the spiritual, the supernatural. And only in confronting the inevitability of death does one truly embrace life."

As pointed out in a previous review, this is not a book with the most up-to-date research and theory on grief, loss, and dying. But then, if it were, it would lose its primary audience, ordinary people. If you have done a lot of work in this area then you may not find much new, though I think the book is still a refreshing read. But it is a book I could recommend for many patients and family members, as well as some caregivers who may not have had much education and experience with grieving people. As a physician, I doubt that the book is too "basic" for most colleagues who are not in high-mortality specialties.

This book has the ability to change the lives of any person. It is geared towards the terminally ill, however, due to my profession and my past personal experience with the terminally ill, I thought I might reach a better understanding of what one goes through and expects from us when dying but doesn't out right say. Page 18 changed the way I thought about dying. "If I am living the way I would like to be living then my death, if inevitable, shouldn't pose a fear within myself." It is an overall wonderful book that helps us see what we can do to help the person who is terminally ill and helps us prepare to make our lives more meaningful in the case that we are ever deamed that way ourselves. Some people say to become terminally ill was a gift to them, showed them things they'd never noticed before, however noone wants to die. This book is a gift!

The best comedy writers often use their own experiences to generate their material. If their subject matter is a particular lifestyle or area of the country, then they must have lived it and generally stay within it. Bodett lives in Homer, Alaska, and a place that I quite frankly had to look up on a map. His real life is that of a building contractor, and his deadpan delivery made him very popular on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."
In this book, Bodett puts forward a series of short "observations" about life in small town Alaska. He talks about hunting, fishing, having and raising a child, a reclusive trapper with his sled dogs and other natural things found in that area of Alaska. He also talks about other annoyances that all other adults can relate too. Socks getting lost in the laundry, cooking a meal that smells like a pile of long neglected laundry, the perils of Christmas shopping and the universal junk drawer containing a "required" set of worthless materials. Bodett puts it all down in a matter-of-fact style as if these situations are a natural part of the human condition. His attitude is that since we can't do anything about it anyway, we might as well take it in stride. For some people, comments and comedy are one and the same and Bodett fits well into that group.

A passport is a really necessary item -- most of the time -- but as this book shows, you don't need one all the time. And, for certain places, a passport is not needed at all. But, how far can you go without one? This book gives you details on that and more. It will make your passport even more valuable, and, significantly, it will give you the lowdown on where you should go -- passport or not. Highly recommended.

Thanks Tom for making me snort laugh through my nose. I'll be searching out your other work now.

Left Behind by Jerry B. Jenkins. Left Behind is a great fantasy book that I would recommend to anyone over nine. I recommend this book to anyone over nine because it is a great book that is mysterious. The story begins with seven kids escaping from a jail.The kids run and run until they find a cave. They stay in there for days until it was safe to go outside, then they realized they were being followed and kept running until they found a tunnel which led into another cave. Little did they know when they got in the cave they were not going to be alone. The cave was very muggy and wet, but they had no clue that there were thousands of small and huge SNAKES in the cave!!!!!
Judd is one of the kids, and he is like there leader because he takes care of them and calms them down when they get scared, even if he is scared. Judd made all of the calls. The other kids thought he was very bossy at times, but he had to be sometimes if they wanted to survive. Judd had a lap top but it didn't have much battery left. So they had to use their time wisely on the computer if they wanted to connect with the outside world, and believe me they wanted to connect with the outside world if they wanted food and water.
If you want to know what happened to the kids, you have to read this great fantasy book, Left Behind.

This book was the best in the series. I really like it! It's my favorite one because it's filled with action, adventure and because the main character in the book is one of my favorites. The kids are hiding and find a hidden cave. There are snakes and Shelly gets very freaked. Shelly is one of my favorite characters (...) What will happen if the commander catches the kids? Will the kid's friends get away from the commander before it's too late? This book is really good! If you like lots of suspense, read this book!!! I have read it several times already. It's a great book!!!

This book was one of my favorites of all the series.A must buy.I really liked it because it had lots of adventure and kept you biting your nails.:)I couldn't put it down! I liked how Judd, Vicki, and Lionel were in trouble instead of like the beginning books where they kinda just stayed at home and stuff.Even though these books say they are really only for 9-12 I'm 14 and greatttly enjoy them!

One story after another pushing emotional buttons as if by remote control, no needless sentimentality or displays of craven nostalgia, no explosions or easy gimmicks, the video-taped honeymoon notwithstanding, rather a series of deadpan heartbreaks and implosions. Necessary writing.

Chaon is no mere sentimentalist, yet his stories chart probing flights over emotional landscapes of both the unusual and the everyday minutiae that comprise American life. This is a gifted writer, and his work is an honor to read. The title story captures better than any other the feeling of living "in the moment" and outside it at the same time, elaborating a lifeline that has suffered alienation and loss and redemption; journeyed to give you the story. While far and away the best piece in this collection, it does not by any means overshadow the other works published under this very appropriate title. Buy this book and read it carefully.

Chaon is a very capable author, one able to depict the pieces of regret, discomfort and deception that lie within us all. He revises the world through the eyes of his characters, exposing a landscape full of unresolved feelings and desperation. I read "Fitting Ends" in an anthology and have checked this book out as a result. It was well worth the trip, and far superior to the junk food on the shelves and bestseller lists posing as "literature." Check this book out. You won't be sorry.

I enjoyed reading " From Another Side of Time"
so much I read it twice! The adventure, the
mystery! A love story..combined to make great reading.
I got so into the story I read it from beginning
to end in one night....even burned dinner!LOL
Its a book I will always keep in reach to share with
friends:)And a place on my "favorite books shelf"
I cant wait for the story to continue...

The characters are intriguing and the story moves along very well. Great plot and a fantastic imagination and creativity puts it all together. I couldn't put it down until I read it all the way through, because I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I was always amazed, and never disappointed.

Wow, what a great book! The plot was very complex but very easy to follow. Most books that I read takes me a time to get through them. However,in my busy life, I made the effort to finish the book in a timely manner. I could tell that Ms Bovet is a master of building up her characters and expanding her sub plots. "From Another Side Of Time", meets both requirements for an action packed adventure and a true love story.

Each event in the book plays well off the other one. Without giving anything away, the main characters involves well into each other,and into the storyline. It's a great blend of magic, science fiction, and a story of love with great action from the start to the end. I would recommend this book to anyone.It's a very good read. I can't wait for the next installment.

I like this book because once you read one poem, you are enticed to read another one. It is a book that touches all our human emotions...our inner thoughts in our daily lives. I would recommend this book because no matter what race or ethnicity you are, it is a book that shows our equality.

I couldn't put it down--I read the whole book in one sitting...
I absolutely LOVE this book...Ms.Chijindu's talent is absolutely stunning...her poems are beautiful because they're raw and true and she holds nothing back, which is important in this day of dilution and conformity...Ms. Chijindu tells it like it is...she's not afraid to say what we've all said or thought of in secret...I can't stop telling all my friends about her...and it really doesn't matter if you're Black or female...a lot of my guys friends LOVE her too...especially the poem 'Chocolate Mango!' Even if you're not 'into' poetry, I STRONGLY advise you to at least read THIS book...she's a literary genius...and she'll blow you away.

What I liked best about "A Girl's Life" is how it boldly unveils the naked truth regarding American History, family relationships and how we relate to each other within the confines of a friendship or love interest. Ifeanyi has a great writing technique that bridges together words with visual images artistically. Ifeanyi's poetic expression is vasive. She has many dimensions to her writing--hitting on sensitive issues. This book will keep you interested throughout as you journey through this "Girl's Life."
I would definitely recommend this book to others as a must read because one can always glean from seeing the world through someone else's life and/or experiences. The entire composition is superbly put together.

Delighted to see this kind of book and the reviews it evoked. As one coming from the Alcoholics Anonymous scene, where secularism and universalism are more and more popular, any title like this which encourages us to look at God's Word and the teaching and accomplishments and coming of His son is a book that can be helpful.A New Way Out: New Path - Familiar Road Signs - Our Creator's Guidance; The Good Book and the Big Book: A.A.'s Roots in the Bible (Bridge Builders Edition); Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today .

I also have purchased and read Mr. Vincent's book Hray-Mah Jesus is Coming! My curiosity once more...This writing brought me to realize the Simplicity of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I was a Christian before reading it, and feel now I am still a Christian but with new bright knowledge and perspective in what Jesus taught and shared to all humans. His book drew me to deeply read the Bible in desire of thirst for the truth, and I was amazed how the author enticed me to go read my own bible and read for myself the things Jesus left for each of us to easily discover. This was a great learning.

I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.


I am looking forward to reading his other books. Clearly, this is Christianity as it was really meant to be: Simple and direct...and based only on Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our Lord Savior. Amen!

I have also bought Mr. Vincents' book titled:

NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

This story brought me to wonderful warm tears. It reminded me of the wonder of motherhood and the mysteries within. I was amazed that a man could write in such depth to touch gently the within of a woman. It was fantastic! I became attached to the baby telling the story as if it were my own and within my own womb. I felt once again the warmth of motherhood and the feelings which pregnancy brings
upon a mother and her bonding with the child growing inside. I laughed at the humor and was awed at the depth I was drawn to perceive. The author's ability to comprehend is dramatic and his perceptions right on.

The illustrations are child-like perceptions that of themselves also depicted a story. Mr. Vincents' use of art he created is heartfelt.

I recommend this book to all women and especially to
all carrying a blessing. I believe this book could easily
be used as a tutor for teenage children for sharing how and why children are conceived and arrive into this world. In a true and comforting way of sharing the answers all children one day ask of their parents.

I admit, I have now read it at least four times through and still find warm tears and joy arrive each time. Wow!

Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

I also have purchased and read Mr. Vincent's book Hray-Mah Jesus is Coming! My curiosity once more...This writing brought me to realize the Simplicity of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and I was a Christian before reading it, and feel now I am still a Christian but with new bright knowledge and perspective in what Jesus taught and shared to all humans. His book drew me to deeply read the Bible in desire of thirst for the truth, and I was amazed how the author enticed me to go read my own bible and read for myself the things Jesus left for each of us to easily discover. This was a great learning.

I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand.

I have found this book re-kindled my relationship with Jesus Christ.

At first, as I started to read the book I wondered what was this author trying to do or say?
When suddenly, it hit home as I was thirsty to go read for myself to see if what was written was within the bible. I discovered it certainly was!

His style of writing is refreshing and new in that I felt he was sitting next to me talking me to go search and learn about Jesus ON MY OWN!

He is not preaching a new religion, but opening scripture and applying it as to every religion on this Earth, and showing they have left the FIRST LOVE. At least I discovered how simple it is to know and serve the Lord Savoir Jesus Christ of Nazareth every single day. I found reading my bible was greater joy and I was able to comprehend precepts and concepts that in the past merely slipped away. No one has ever shown me before that I also was able to see, hear and ask myself and know God answered.

Jesus is the Son of God and the Living Lord Saviour who died on the Cross to save me and anyone who seeks Him, and He was buried and arose alive from the grave to overcome for each of us the sting of death and so we can live with God after we leave this Earth and our earthly bodies. I believe in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as ONE GOD!
....................................................................

A FRIEND WROTE TO ME THE FOLLOWING: I add this because its RIGHT ON!
Truley:
I found his writing style easily opened the scriptures so that I could understand and check from my own bible exactly what was being shared and revealed as I read his first Hray Mah book. I found the warning to be exactly as it was given and the closeness of the Lord's Return is at hand. No christen writer I have read before has so deeply touched my thoughts and brought me with a deep thirst to seek the Living Word from scripture on my own reading as this author. The Fruits of the Spirit flow in gentleness in his writings, and he asks every reader to test his Fruits of the Spirit exactly as Jesus told us to do.

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.

I agree: Jesus is Coming!

As I see it:
The Bible is for the FAITHFUL.....
Without Jesus one has no faith and thus no way to comprehend or share correctly the BIBLE. Without FAITH anything that comes out and talked about the WORD by the unfaithful is incorrect.

WE are free from the PAINS OF DEATH....NOT FROM DEATH ITSELF

Scriptures technically teach nothing to those without the Spirit:
THE TEACHER IS THE SPIRT....and the Spirit is Jesus, and without Jesus as Lord there is no knowledge of the scriptures. Thus as it is written they speak as fools who have not the Lord and Comforter. Trying if possible to fool those WHO DO KNOW THE LORD.

Basically..........Jesus revealed NO ONE CAN FULLFILL THE LAW....That is why Jesus overcame the Law and gave us FAITH and the doorway of His Shed Blood rather than the Law which NO ONE CAN LIVE BY.
......................................................................

From this Reviewer:

THIS BOOK IS FOR THOSE CALLING THEMSELVES AS
CHRISTIANS IN THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZRETH.


I am looking forward to reading his other books. Clearly, this is Christianity as it was really meant to be: Simple and direct...and based only on Jesus Christ of Nazareth as our Lord Savior. Amen!

I have also bought Mr. Vincents' book titled:

NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

This story brought me to wonderful warm tears. It reminded me of the wonder of motherhood and the mysteries within. I was amazed that a man could write in such depth to touch gently the within of a woman. It was fantastic! I became attached to the baby telling the story as if it were my own and within my own womb. I felt once again the warmth of motherhood and the feelings which pregnancy brings
upon a mother and her bonding with the child growing inside. I laughed at the humor and was awed at the depth I was drawn to perceive. The author's ability to comprehend is dramatic and his perceptions right on.

The illustrations are child-like perceptions that of themselves also depicted a story. Mr. Vincents' use of art he created is heartfelt.

I recommend this book to all women and especially to
all carrying a blessing. I believe this book could easily
be used as a tutor for teenage children for sharing how and why children are conceived and arrive into this world. In a true and comforting way of sharing the answers all children one day ask of their parents.

I admit, I have now read it at least four times through and still find warm tears and joy arrive each time. Wow!
Nine Months Plus One Day: By Robert William Vincent

Or Kindle Edition:
NINE MONTHS PLUS ONE DAY

Robert Siegal is a spectacular author. He is so descriptive, That's why I liked it. The book is in Hruna's point of view. I would recomend this book to anyone who likes exciting adventures. I would definitly read it again. Some parts were really sad and others really happy. I enjoy this kind of literature. You must read this book. It would be so much fun. This is a great book for people with a great imagination and loves animals. Robert Siegal did a fantastic job on this book.

All three of the Whalesong books are wonderful, including this one. The also almost poetic and beautfil way each novel is written is astonishing. It's the view from a pod of Humpback whales and their lives. In this one, Hralekana leads his pod to find food, but ends up saving most of the ocean and sea life. Even if you haven't read the first two, read this one, it's more than worth it ;)

None of the reviews do these books justice. The first book, Whalesong, is a very good book. The next 2 books get better and better. But you really need to read Whalesong before going on the others.

Yes, 'saving the whales' is an obvious theme, and for good reason! Maybe if more people thought about what we are doing to the planet from the whales' point of view, they would change.

But, that is not really what this trilogy is about. These books are about the spiritual journey, about visionquests, about life and death. Each book in the trilogy gets better. Start with Whalesong and by the time you finish Ice you will not be the same. Allow this beautiful, spiritually uplifting tale to inspire and transform you!

Very consciousness-raising, and by that I mean spiritually. Also poetically written. You'll shed some tears, but you will feel enriched.

What if...just what if...it's true??? What if whales really do have a culture as emotionally and spiritually rich as our own?

You think that sounds far-fetched? You won't after you read these wonderful books.

I read the Orion Conspiracy in 1998 and I want this book again. This is an end-times story from the Seventh-Day Adventist perspective. Story plays out in various locations around Washington, D.C. among a young man and woman. No secret Rapture, no seven year Tribulation, no literal mark of the Beast. Instead, the authorities require Sunday worship and punish those who worship on Saturday. This is a must read end times story because it emphasizes that there are differences of opinion about things like the Rapture.

The Orion Conspiracy is a book about the end time it is a amazing story describing the details in the end time. This Book Is perfect for people of all ages, (as Long As they Can Read), this is a perfect present for any time it is good good book if you Just want to read a good story or if you want to learn more about god I Highly recommend this book. it is the best end time story I've Read!!!!!!!!

If you've read the book of Revelation in the Bible and find it confusing, you need to read The Orion Conspiracy. Wade brings the prophecies home to America today and shows, in the form of a novel, how they could be fulfilled in the very near future. As far as this sort of book goes, this is the best. I know lots of people who have read it, many of them English professors (like me). Some consider it trashy, pop. culture. However, they all agree the book is nearly impossible to put down. This is definitely a "riveting read." I'm going to be teaching a new course in "Apocalyptic Fiction" at the state university where I work, and The Orion Conspiracy will be a featured novel. Read it!

This book was awesome and proved very informative and I would highly recommend it, however the last couple of pages are where the author gives you their personal opinion (I do believe they earned their right to do so)and it is a bit of downer. Their personal outlook on the future of the coral reefs is rather bleak and suggests that within my generation's lifetime if not their own the reefs will disappear for the extension of the human race's existence. This however, arguably, makes the book of greater importance, because if people don't know then they will never be able to care.

In "A Reef in Time: The Great Barrier Reef from Beginning to End" the highly respected coral reef expert J. E. N. Veron describes both the history of reefs in general and the Great Barrier Reef in particular. Certainly this book is not exactly uplifting because it outlines the future end of the reef, not in space, but in time. This end is to a large part premature and almost certainly to be brought on by human activity.

As Veron notes reefs have come and gone throughout the history of the earth, appearing in the Devonian, Permian and Triassic, only to be destroyed in mass extinction events. New and different reefs returned, but not until after hundreds of thousands to millions of years. On both sides of the Rio Grande Valley, where I now live, are immense remains of middle Permian reefs, all of which disappeared in that mother of all extinction events which marks the Permian-Triassic boundary. The reefs now stand over 4000 feet above sea level, a monument to impermanence. Such would eventually be the fate of the monumental Great Barrier Reef, but in tens of thousands of years at least. The activities of humans (in causing global warming, direct damage to reefs and acidification of the oceans) may now cause the same destruction in hundreds of years or less.

What is to be done? Venon thinks that there is some cause for hope, but I am unsure that that such hope is warranted. In this I would like to be wrong. However I see no political will on the part of either governments or populations to curb their activities in time before tipping points are reached that commit us to a major disruption of the planet. In essence we in the United States have wasted nearly eight years that we really did not have because of an administration that preferred wishful thinking to reality. Still I cannot just blame the United States as even the European Union will not reach its own goals and China and India, among others, are hurrying to reach the same levels of greenhouse gas emissions as the developed world.

Venon has written a thoughtful and well documented book that will certainly educate the reader in the current knowledge of reefs and the likely result of our current predicament. I recommend it, but be aware that you may find it depressing, despite Venon's attempts to be upbeat.

Excellent overview of the Great Barrier Reef's history. The text flows, is extremely easy to read, and the chapters and headings are set out logically. Much of the background involves controversial theories (e.g. reasons for major extinctions), and these, among others, are discussed thoroughly and with sufficient maps, given the relatively short length and overall scope of the book. The important points (carbon dioxide and ocean acidification) are drilled home repeatedly without a loss of their impact.

It is clear that the target audience for this book is for newcomers to the fields of coral research or paleontology. The only major flaw I see in the book are the many identical diagrams and photographs from previous publications by Dr. Veron, but, for those who pick up this book with no prior knowledge, this same information must be novel and informative. Even for those who have a background in the above fields, there is enough new information in this book to satisfy, and a few veritable gems of insight and observation.

This book has a few ideas which people may or may not agree with Dr. Veron, but it is well-researched and well-argued. The overriding message presented in the final chapters is certainly the focus of the book, and in the end, the other details which may or may not be correct rightly take a back seat.

Overall a recommended read.