The psychology of death

by Robert J. Kastenbaum

Book by Kastenbaum, Robert

Genres: Psychology, Death

446 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you can get past the publishing date (1976) and the bizarre book cover, you will find an absolute gem inside. Kastenbaum is a great writer and the book is chock full of info about death. He give a great basic layout of developmental theories and stages, attitudes, influences, and experiences. He effortlessly weaves 200 years+ of thought through the text and provides a frame for the reader to put these ideas together. All the chapters were great. I ended up thinking two chapters in particular were great. The first was how psychology has approached the subject. This is a great survey of psychological thought and perspective on the subject. The second is a thorough presentation of Freud's death drive and it's critics.

I would recommend this to anyone studying psychology- it is a great "gateway" into some of the juiciest thinkers.

[Alwaleed Almokri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon the death of my dear big brother recently. In honor of his transition toward a lifeless state, or at least (life)less of the life we know and comprehend, not of whatever his state becomes.

The book was a pleasant read, putting some light on a black-hole never discussed openly.

In conclusion, I ended up with half an answer, because I am only answering half a question and I lack the foresight to inform the other half. Which is ok as death is an aspect of a greater mystery, the mystery of being.

Being and death are counterparts in that mystery and the neglect toward embracing death as part of life and not a part after life creates an u fair consternation reaction.

[Abigail Gray]

A nice overview and introduction to psychological research and perspectives surrounding death.

[David Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly easy to read account of our associations and experiences of death. Although the field of study is perhaps under investigated and much more is still to be understood, this book goes to great lengths to show what is out there. A lot is based on terminal illness and hospice care from the author's own career experience but he also broadens his research to other key work in the field. Fascinating little bits of information everywhere and much more accessible to anyone unfamiliar with psychology than I had expected.