Death and the Creative Life: Conversations With Prominent Artists and Scientists

by Lisl Marburg Goodman

Book by Goodman, Lisl Marburg

Genres: Death

172 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the premise of this book, that fear of death is mostly caused by failing to actualize your life potential. The first section, where she discusses this in depth, is fascinating. The rest of the book isn't as good. Some of the interviews and the commentary about them are incredibly dry, to the point where I was ready to toss the book on a to-read pile I'll never get to. I'm glad I didn't. The effect of spending a week reading about death and the consequences of not fully living is enough to get anyone off their butt and out into the world doing things. All my excuses started to seem ridiculous in light of the fact that the only real choice we have about death is whether we live first or not. The book hammers into you the realization that your time is limited and there are no do-overs. In that way, it's awesome, and more than worth the annoyance of slogging through the boring bits.

[Mark Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course I'm in the death cycle (2008), after diagnosis. Along with Becker and Broyard, this third title was more than worthwhile.

Linking creativity, authenticity and death. Death, at play for those fearless and getting it done.

Made a difference.