End-of-Life Books

What a wonderful, refreshing book! I learned simple, insightful ways to de-stress my days that really help, plus the book is sprinkled with humor and anecdotes. The author speaks to you, not at you, and you know that she understands how easy we can let stress overcome our joy. An added bonus is the book contains short stories and vignettes from others who have "been there," each offering insight and hope. Out of the enormous selection of self-help books available, I put this one at the very top!

This easy-to-read book provides great insight and advice to all of us whose stressful moments sometimes make us forget about the good times. Her "destressors" are simple to follow and practical. The personal accounts make us feel we're not alone in our "down" times and that if these people can overcome, so can the rest of us. Teresa writes with such humor that even though the issues are serious, the heaviness doesn't burden us. This is a must read for all women and some men could use it too!

The layout of "Knot" is teaching basic life skills by example. For every problem you face there is a solution. These are real life people who have real life problems, some staggering, but they deal. I guess if they can do it, so can I. This is the theme of Teresa B. Kindred's "The Knot at the End of Your Rope" which is laced with faith promoting answers. My thanks to the author.

The author, Harry Hone travelled from LIFE to Death under authentic medical observation, and his book contains actual photographs taken by the hospital staff while he was "out of his body". "THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL" is a real life, first person record detailing what LIFE & DEATH is truly all about.When you've read this book, all the mysteries that were concealed from you are revealed in words you can readily and easily UNDERSTAND. If you want the TRUTH, you'll find it in "THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL"

The author's "first person" experience of "dying" for two minutes under medical supervision and observation explodes the most commonly accepted so-called "truths" told by those "who have never been there". This book contains actual photos of his "out of body" odyssey captured by medical professionals. If you want the truth about what happens when you "die", you'll find it in the pages of "The Light At The end Of The Tunnel"hone@inna.net

This book was a gift from my mother - she met the author at a book signing and thought I'd be interested in reading it. Honesty, I was a little leery of it, because I was afraid it would be either too new-age/crackpot for me, or too overly preachy/religious. To my delight, it was neither.

The author explains death and dying and the afterward as sincerely as he can - constantly reminding us that the words he uses are just words, and fail to capture the enormity of what they describe. His description of death is poetic and reassuring - reliving your life while traveling toward a white light - immediate yet infinite. It put me at ease with my own impending exit from this world, as well as helping me make peace with those I love who've already gone.

Death isn't "the end" - it's just the end of this segment.

I whole-heartedly recommend this book to any seekers, religious or not-religious, eager to believe or skeptical. Even if it doesn't change your life, it will give you something to think about.

Light at the end of the Tunnel is a great compilation of first person accounts of individuals from various walks of life.

Mary Menke has written an amazing book. Recently two of my friends spouses died, so I bought 2 copies. Although both people are friends, neither of them are so close to me that I knew how to talk to them about their loss. By giving them Mary's book, it opened the communication paths between myself and my friends on this difficult delicate subject. One of my friends read it in a day and said she will read it again. Thank you Mary. I can't say I look forward to having a reason to purchase another one :), but if the need arises, I am glad I now know what to do.
Kathy Denton, author of, "The Search of a Lifetime", "Corporate Russian Roulette", and cameo-author of, "Beneath the Big Muddy"

I didn't know what else was going into the book along with the chapter I wrote but Mary has managed to pull together an amazing number of true stories with enough variety to speak to a number of reader's experiences.

Loosing a spouse gets 100 points on the stress scale the "Social Readjustment Rating Scale" by Thomas Holmes and Richard Rahe and is at the top of that scale in terms of stress impact. Nothing can really save a person from going through the stress of loosing their spouse but knowing that others survived a went on with their lives gives hope in a situation that at times seems hopeless. It can go a long way in helping a surviving spouse to reach that light at the end of the tunnel.


Brenda A. Elliott

I received this book in great shape and in a timely matter. Thank you

I read this book front-to-back the first day I got it. This book keeps you on your toes and your eyes glued to the page. it took me about two hours to read it over the weekend. It's sad to hear what happens to a certain character (I won't spoil it) but in the end you see how that person takes a negative and learns to live with it. I promise readers won't be disappointed.

I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

Matthew sets a good example for caregivers, in his presentation of often hidden events and feelings connected with the inevitable end of life to which any terminal illness brings us. One goodness of his example is in his honesty about his own feelings during difficult encounters and decision making, as part of a hospice team. Another aspect of his excellent example is the unashamed confession of his Orthodox Christian faith, which as a pastoral care-giver, he neither presses nor witholds from those who are hungry for hope, for guidance, and simple non-anxious presence- all and any involved with the dying process of a child of God, which Matthew leaves no doubt, means every human being. Although he gives high priority to spiritual care of the family and patient, he never fails to remember the teamwork dynamic of hospice care. This book could help a church looking at volunteering ministry with hospice, individuals just consdiering how to handle a terminal illness, agencies providing care for the elderly at home;it is worth a read for anyone who considers death a part of the process of being human!

Matthew shares not only end of life stories but reflects on how he interacts as a spiritual member of the Hospice team with the patient, their family and the Hospice team in various situations. This book is a wonderful tool to use: for Hospice team members this book validates what we do, for the patients, their families and other caregivers it is an inspiration. For Hospice Boards of Directors and Administrators it is a clear and accurate description of what their staff is out there doing. Bravo

Extraordinarily well written and at the same time very thoughtful. Binkewicz illustrates case studies and Biblical references regarding questions and issues faced by those whose end is near and those around them, including Hospice care givers. For those facing a very difficult time this book brings a sense of calm and peace.

Its colorful writing about everyday stuff that is simply not like it used to be. Touches on many aspects of todays changing and regressing ways. Makes you think.

Lee makes you stop and reflect on what it used to be like and what we have lost in our fast pace in todays living. He makes you laugh and cry, the book is excellent

So happy to get ahold of this book. The author put you right back at the scene and brought out lost feelings. Hope to share it with others.

I LOVE this book! Barbara Karnes, RN, reminds us that death is not a medical event but a normal, natural social event. It doesn't have to be the ordeal most people dread. With accurate information and adequate support, dying can be a rich, rewarding family experience.

Karnes also wrote the invaluable pamphlet "Gone from My Sight," which some hospices give to families of dying patients. This more recent book includes moving stories from the author's own longtime hospice experience, descriptions of the deaths of her own parents, and much more.

This nurse provides detailed, deeply reassuring information about how we die. For example, she explains the 3 areas--food, sleep, and social interaction--that let one know whether a person has weeks, days, or hours to live. She cautions against the practice of hydrating a person near death, reminding us that dehydration is "nature's anesthetic." She also recommends against using a suction machine, since it usually irritates the throat and triggers the body to produce more secretions. There are better ways to keep a person comfortable.

Karnes sees dying as an opportunity to address any unfinished business, to live in the present, and to say goodbye. But she goes beyond the tools and attitudes that can help a patient and caregivers experience a gentle, peaceful, natural death. She also explains what to do afterwards. For example washing the body and allowing people to view the body can help the grieving process. Additionally, she discusses legal questions and stresses the importance of having an advanced health care directive.

I can't imagine anyone I'd rather have as a hospice nurse than the knowledgeable, no-nonsense, compassionate Barbara Karnes. This little book is a gem!

Nancy Manahan, Ph.D. author of Living Consciously, Dying Gracefully - A Journey with Cancer and Beyond

i found barbaras book to be tremendously informative and helpful. it gave me knowledge and insight into a subject that i find is sadly neglected in our education.the tools and insight gained from this book have helped me feel more at ease and prepared. i am very grateful and would highly recommend it to any body who finds themselves faced with the reality of death.

This book is the 101 of end of life issues. Barbara Karnes covers it all in this book. It's informative like a text book yet easy to read. I found the stages of dying very helpful along with her ideas on grieving, how men and women grieve differently. Loved her personal stories, they made a very informative book more heartfelt.

I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

This is a very good book. It is very suspenseful! Will Judd and Lionel see their friends again or will they have to face the consequences of not taking the mark? Will the unsaved people in Petra believe or take the mark? Read this great book to find out! I only wish this book had more of Conrad, but other than that it's a great book. The series is great. Get the entire collection. There are 36 books. Books #37 and #38 should be available in early August.

I read this book the first day I got it and finished it within two hours. I did not want to put it down because I was anxious to see what happened next. It's wonderful how God put people in certain situations in the book which leads to more becoming believers. All I can say is hang on to your seats, it's an awesome book you won't want to put down!

I have always enjoyed the adult series of Left Behind books. The kids books are just as good. The kids interact with the characters from the adult series, experience the same events, etc. However, since the main characters are teens, these books can appeal to younger readers. So far, the stories haven't had the ups and downs that the adult series has had. The adult series has books that are a lot more boring than others. The kids series seems to be good in every book. These are not for really young kids, but would be appropriate for young teens. I enjoy them and I am an adult.

Left Behind: The Kids 39, The Road to War is an awsome book. Anyone who reads this book would say that they couldn't stop turing the pages. It was captivating and the action never ended. The Road to War made me express every emotion know to man. I love this series. I would suggest the kids series and the adult series to any child or adult who is looking for a great Christian Fiction series. These books helped me develop a better relationship with Christ.

This was the best I ever read. I wasn't a religious person but after reading this book I convinced my mom and dad to take us to church. This book is great it's full of action and adventure if you like that in a book this ones for you. I advise you though if you haven't read the other 38 books do that first or you won't understand this one.The other ones are great full of action adventure and a little bit of romance.

Last year, I just started reading The Left Behing Kids Series. Well, at the moment, I knew it was a christian book series, and that was about it. I never knew it was so addictive that I had to read every one of the forty books in the series. It can give you all sorts of different feelings, it will make you cry, it will make you laugh, yada, yada. Well, four teenagers got left behind when all of the believers in Christ went up to heaven.

The four teenagers are: Judd, the Runaway: a boy who was raised in church, had a nice family, nice house, nice life. Never caught the grasp of the teachings in church. Judd's family dissapeared and went to heaven, leaving him behind.

Lionel, The Liar: Same story as Judd's, but Lionel is immature and is younger that Judd.

Vicki, The Rebel: Vicki is the opposite of Judd and Lionel. Known as the creepy girl in school, she was raised in a trailer park, with a somewhat dysfunctional family, dirt poor. She was the only one in her family to be left behind.


Ryan, The Skeptic: Ryan is the youngest one in the foursome, but unlike the others, his family did not disapear. His parents were killed in two different tragic accidents, leaving him alone. His family was not believers, but his best friend was. His best friend had tried to teach him about Christ, but Ryan was skeptical.

Well, the four end up living together, forming the Young Tribulation Force, with the help of Bruce Barnes, a pastor. The try to spread christianity around, in a world that is separated by believers and non-believers.

I highly suggest reading this series, even if you are a believer or not. Give it a chance, you will not regret it.

The Book of Revelation has been the central issue in innumerable debates. As a scholar of Second Coming Prophecies, I must say that LeHaye & Jenkins did an admirable job in sticking to as it was written, not only in revelation, but also in the other Second Coming prophecies that are scattered throughout the Bible. It also places it in an exciting format that will and has attracted many un-believers. There will always be critics of these books, mostly non-Christians who did not even bother picking up the books or the Bible, who will brazenly say, "If you want to know what happens, read John's book of Revelation." In doing so, they show their own lack of reading that very book in the Bible. These stories are wonderful and I highly recommend them to all ages! They are also great witnessing tools because even if the reader doesn't accept Christ now, they will after the church is raptured! May the grace of our Father find you.

At no doubt, this will definitely give kids a great point of view towards the rapture through the eyes of four teenagers who are experiencing it themselves. If your kid has questions, and confusions about the Rapture, the Left Behind Kids version is sure to have them understanding it, and also giving them a good story to think about for the near future, and of course, entertainment.

Judd, Vicki, Lionel and Ryan think they know it all. None of them believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, and none believe in God. With Judd a running away from his parents, Vicki rebelling against her parents conversion, Lionel lying about being a Christian, and Ryan skeptisysing about his friends faith, the four will come together to realize there was more to life, and God that was there all the time, they just wouldn't take the time to believe it.

I recieved the first book (which is the first four books in all) for my birthday, and was a little skeptical about them at first. A few months before I had started to read the adult Left Behind books, but to no avail for the fact that they were too old for me (I was twelve at the time). After re-discovering them a month later, I was hooked on them. Not only were they entertaining, but they gave an easy understanding towards the Rapture for kids.

Even if adults have trouble understanding the Rapture and the end times, it'll provide an easy understanding, and have them (as I did) rexamine their faith through these books.

An instant five stars. And remember, if you refuse to believe the Rapture, just make sure you have plenty of places to go afterwards, because there will be no place to hide.