Immortal Last Words: History's most memorable dying remarks, death bed statements and final farewells

by Terry Breverton

Immortal Last Words is a fascinating, diverse collection of history's most uplifting, entertaining and thought-provoking dying remarks and final farewells. The 370 entries in this book have been drawn from some of history's greatest statesmen, poets, scientists, novelists and warriors - the eminent men and women who have shaped events over the last four and a half millennia and whose final recorded words have often inspired great deeds or shed light on the nature of the human condition. There are also entries are from less well- known individuals who did not make such an impact on history but whose dying words are equally noteworthy as they encapsulate the spirit of the times or simply reflect the character of the speaker. And finally, the pages of this book contain the last words of some of most ignoble personalities in history - the monsters and maniacs whose final defiant utterances prompt us to reflect on the nature of evil and man's inhumanity to man.
Arranged chronologically from antiquity to the present day, each entry is accompanied by contextual information giving a brief biography of the author and an explanation of the circumstances that gave rise to the quotation. Some of the sentiments expressed are unbelievably sad while others are optimistic; some final words have become famous while others have remained obscure, but all reflect the follies and greatness of mankind - its heroes and villains, war and peace and the absolute power of language to change our feelings and challenge our minds.
Sample entries Buddha 'Strive for your own liberation with diligence'; Vespasian 'Dear me, I believe I am becoming a god'; Thomas Hobbes, 'I am about to take my last voyage, a great leap in the dark'; Robespierre 'Death is the commencement of immortality!'; George Washington'Tis well'; John Keats 'Here lies one whose name was writ in water'; John Maynard Keynes'I should have drunk more champagne'; Salvador Dalí 'I do not believe in my death'; Keith Floyd 'I've not felt this well for ages.'

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Reference, Biography, Death

384 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Lifath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book shortly after reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. So of course, it caught my interest. Reading it now, I found it to be well put together. It was quite fascinating to learn about the last words of these people who we all know from history; it says a lot about how they felt as they faced their own mortality. Of course, not all last words are profound or even surprising, but learning about the deaths of these people really says a lot about history and how far we've come and how far we haven't. Overall, it's just a great collection to have and to muse over.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read for short periods of time, dipped into it now and then for weeks.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoewel de titel spreekt van laatste woorden is in het boek het begrip 'laatste woorden' wat ruimer genomen; soms betreft het een suggestie voor een grafschrift door de persoon zelf of is het een uitspraak aangaande diens dood, dan wel een zelfmoordbriefje, maar af en toe is het zelfs wat een ander over die persoon gezegd heeft of een citaat uit een werk over die persoon.

Alle personen over wie geschreven is hebben netjes één pagina waarop hun levenswerk en/of hun heengaan is beschreven, wat het interessant maakt om te lezen, ook als de persoon in kwestie geen belletje doet rinkelen. (En bij mij waren dat er best heel wat!)

Wat ik wel enigszins deprimerend vond is dat veel mensen uiteindelijk zichzelf van het leven hebben beroofd (per ongeluk of opzettelijk), vermoord zijn of onder gewelddadige en goddeloze omstandigheden zijn overleden. Ik weet niet wat ik verwacht had, maar ik denk dat ik iets meer mooie verhalen verwachtte?

[Ishmael Soledad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting enough contents, with each person given a page for a potted overview of who they were, a mug shot, and their last words; and that's the problem. It's not so much last words or even last sentiments, but more a grab-bag of what the author feels are "memorable quotes or anecdotes". After the first few entries it feels as if the contents were either downloaded from (or prepared to be uploaded to) Wikipedia, including spelling and layout errors. Although there are some interesting and funny entries, there's a great deal of old ground covered here and also a bias towards USA persons.

In summary, a bit of fun to grab out of the bookshelf and read a few pages, but don't set your expectations too high.

[Jef · Rating 2 out of 5]

Als je op zoek bent naar een wijze levensles, dan is dit niet het boek waarin je die zal vinden. Het is ontstellend hoe onbenullig het levenseinde is. "Laat het niet zo eindigen. Vertel maar dat ik nog iets gezegd heb", "Nog een ogenblik, beul. Een klein ogenblikje!". Het boek vertelt over het einde van 370 bekende en minder bekende mensen (1 per pagina), gerangschikt naar datum van overlijden. Ik verwittig je: hoe verder je gaat in het boek, hoe somberder je wordt van al dat zinloze sterven.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes interesting, for sure the ones further down the past ... the most recent ones also show the times we life in, superficial.

[Tracey Allen at Carpe Librum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting non-fiction collection of last words, comments, epitaphs, suicide notes, diary entries, letters, poems and much more belonging to famous and some not so famous people.

Each phrase, remark or statement is presented in date order, with one page devoted to each entry. Each entry contains the person's name, their date of birth and date of death, the remark, statement or deathbed declaration chosen by the author, and a short bio of the person. The short bio provides enough background for the reader to understand the person's place in history, including how they passed.

This is a perfect book to dip into from time to time; you don't need to remember where you're up to and you can flip back and forth as each page can be read in isolation. It's also a terrific way to absorb historical facts and information.

Some of the phrases or quotes were familiar to me: "It's better to burn out than to fade away" attributed to Kurt Cobain, and
"If the Persians [Medes] darken the sun with their arrows, we shall have our fight in the shade" spoken by Dieneces the Spartan in 480 BCE.

Others were new to me: "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter." This was said by Sir Winston Churchill on his seventy-fifth birthday in 1949; he wasn't to die until 1965.

My favourite excerpt from the book were the last words spoken by Pancho Villa: "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."

Some statements and comments were funny, others were inspiring and some were reflective. I definitely recommend this book; I laughed, I learned and I was inspired.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable and one of those books that I could not put down. Histories most memorable people and their thoughts; both sad and funny; before they pass over. I would like to share some of my favourite quotes.
Winston Churchill: "I am ready to meet my Maker. whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter?"

W. C. Fields (an atheist reading the bible): "I am looking for loopholes."

Beethoven: "Applaud, my friends, the comedy is finished."

[Glenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book did not live up to my expectations. I was looking for inspiration for my future obituary but alas... the main reason why most of these 'Last Words' might be considered to be 'Immortal' is that they were uttered by (somewhat) famous people. Another cause for my discontentment is that the share of US citizens is way to large.

[Gorfo · Rating 5 out of 5]

As person who absolutely loves Looking for Alaska by John Green. This book was like a gift, sitting in Borders for the unbelievably low price of $2! I'd be insane to pass up this bargain! Reading this was like reading a short summary of history except with even more humor than usual!

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a glorious book, something nice to read bit by bit over a long period of time.

[P. Ritwik]

I wouldn't recommend reading it. It is a bad piece of work. The book is unbelievably boring and drawn out. ANd most of the last words are ntohing great to know...

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok at first, but there is around 350 people in there, and I probably will remember 2 so kinda useless. Also got a bit boring in the end.

[Anneleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk tussendoortje. Interessant om te lezen, hoewel bij sommige mensen totaal onrelevante informatie staat. En de zinsopbouw mag in sommige gevallen ook wel beter.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written.

[Anson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two things you learn from this book. 1) Everyone dies. Death is no respecter of status, wealth, nationality or gender. 2) Make sure you fulfill your role in life while you are still alive.

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting look into many historical figures' last words.

[Ajith. T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for every person to know about the value of life.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting & at times humorous

[Stéphanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting

[Patrick Lancksweerdt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leuk boek over grote en minder grote figuren doorheen de mensheid en wat bijzondere uitspraken waren van hen of over hen. Leuk om lezen, ook gemakkelijk omdat elke pagina een ander verhaal vormt. Handig om lezen als je kampt met (tijdelijke!) concentratieproblemen :-)