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A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death

BJ Miller,

Shoshana Berger

4.33 · Rating details · 30 ratings · 15 reviews

The first ever practical, compassionate, and comprehensive guide to dying—and living fully until you do.

“There is nothing wrong with you for dying,” palliative care doctor BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger write in A Beginner’s Guide to the End. “Our ultimate purpose here isn’t so much to help you die as it is to free up as much life as possible until you do.”

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Hardcover, 544 pages

Published July 16th 2019 by Simon Schuster

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· 30 ratings · 15 reviews

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Jun 22, 2019 El Maya rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is an incredible resource for anyone who is preparing for the inevitable. As a daughter who had little to no idea of how to navigate both the progression of dementia and then death of my father, this book would have been an invaluable road map. It addresses all aspects pertaining to the often gradual and painful march towards the end. This includes not simply getting your financial affairs in order, it addresses how to navigate illness, getting loved ones’ wishes and desires for end of ...more

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Jun 06, 2019 Paul Pessolano rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

“A Beginners Guide to the End” by BJ Miller, MD and Shoshana Berger.

Category – Death Publication Date – July 16, 2019.

Most people will probably shun this book due to the subject matter, but I highly endorse this book as a must read for those who are dying and those who are caring for those who are dying.

This is the most comprehensive book I have ever read on any subject matter. Not all of the book will relate to any individual but it is a great pick and choose for which items pertain to a person ...more

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Jul 16, 2019 Paul rated it it was amazing

This is superb. It covers before, during, and after death for the caregivers, family, and of course the person who dies. With excellent advice, guidance, and to do lists, it really covers the all of the major issues to consider so you and those affected can be prepared. The authors have a huge amount of experience and training and thus are well qualified. Highly recommended, especially if you're afraid of the topic.

I really appreciate the ARC for review!!

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Jun 03, 2019 Jessica K. rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I loved this book! I am at the time of life where I need to buckle down and take care of my paperwork. We haven’t updated our wills since having children and this book demystifies all of the things that all responsible people need to take care of while they’re still healthy. Shoshana Berger’s background as founding editor of Readymade magazine gives her the perfect voice for the straightforward, step-by-step guidance this book provides. BJ Miller’s compassionate voice guides you through the medi ...more

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May 27, 2019 Dustin Hood rated it it was amazing

This book needs to be required reading for everyone! I've encountered one death where I was partially responsible for what happened after the passing of my loved one and was utterly clueless. As a survivor of a loved one, you don't know what to do until it happens to you and at that point, you're deep in grief and it's not the best time to be stressed by orchestrating the burial of a loved one. This book walked you through all of that and so, so much more. This book is also for everyone- it desc ...more

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Aug 11, 2019 Julia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book is a beautifully crafted guide through all that comes with a poor prognosis. I highly recommend it for anyone who is facing a life-threatening illness and wants to know as much as possible about what to expect. It’s also a helpful primer for loved ones and caregivers.

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Aug 06, 2019 Darrell Vandervort rated it it was amazing

I would encourage every adult to read this book. Yes it is about death and the processes around death, but it also offers practical advice and instruction about how to prepare, even if death is decades away.
It will help survivors, and we will all lose someone at some point. It will help with what to do and how to do it.
Think of it as the book you have read and will keep because it has all the advice you hope you won’t need for years to come.

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Aug 12, 2019 Grace Sutherlin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Everyone always avoids discussing two topics: Death and Taxes. Unless I've missed some major scientific breakthrough or innovation, all of us are going to face the death of our immediate family members as well as our own death. I wanted to read A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger because I am one of those folks who would rather know what is ahead of me and be prepared for it. And I wish I had already read this book Everyone always avoids discussing two topics: Death and Taxes. Unless I've missed some major scientific breakthrough or innovation, all of us are going to face the death of our immediate family members as well as our own death. I wanted to read A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death by Dr. BJ Miller and Shoshana Berger because I am one of those folks who would rather know what is ahead of me and be prepared for it. And I wish I had already read this book before my father died four years ago as it certainly is an informative read when facing the death of a parent when you are their designated advocate in terms of healthcare.

If you entered a hospital tomorrow for a surgical procedure and the intake nurse asked for your living will, would you know what that is? Better yet, would you know how to complete one prior to your surgical procedure? In all honesty I have encountered this situation and thank heavens I know what a living will is and already have a copy of mine. Many people do not have a living will which essentially explains what type of emergency care options you wish for in the event you are not able to speak for yourself (aka. you are on a ventilator). Do you have a will which relays to attorneys and your family how you wish to be buried and what to do with your remaining possessions and assets? Have you even had a conversation about this with any or all of your close family members? It's not an easy subject; however, this book should be mandatory reading so we all begin to know how to have these types of difficult conversations with our family members and what official paperwork must be completed and at the ready should we ever need it.

Do you know the difference between hospice and palliative care? Do you know whether upon your death you wish to be cremated or buried? Have you put these wishes in writing in the form of an official will usually composed by an attorney and had it notarized? Would you know what it means if you are a family member's Durable Power-Of-Attorney and your family member requests a "natural burial"? If you wait to learn all this upon an immediate family member's death, it's going to add stress to an already difficult circumstance. And how about if a friend who is battling a terminal illness calls you and informs you he/she has just signed a DNR form? Would you know what that means for him or her? There is never going to be a perfect time to talk about death, our own or a direct family member's, but in my opinion it's better to be prepared and ready than to have loads of confusion and angst when a health emergency happens. This book answers each question I have posed in this review and even discusses how to talk to children about death. It's a highly informative read and a reference guide that will surely have a place on my many shelves of books.

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Aug 05, 2019 Kim Makoi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is my current favorite book! It is an incredibly practical and compassionate book on living while dying. It really makes you understand how much there is to do before the end, and how it’s important to discuss and think about these things before it’s too late. I think that everyone over 18 should read this book. (Younger I guess if you are a goth kid. Other kids might just get freaked out?)

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