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Brief History of Death by W. M. Spellman (2014, Hardcover)
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherReaktion Books, The Limited
ISBN-101780232659
ISBN-139781780232652
eBay Product ID (ePID)172305546
Product Key Features
Book TitleBrief History of Death
Number of Pages255 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicDeath & Dying, General
Publication Year2014
GenreSocial Science, History
AuthorW. M. Spellman
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.2 in
Item Length8.5 in
Item Width5.5 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
Dewey Edition23
TitleLeadingA
ReviewsAfter the spate of near-death and out-of-the-body experience books comes this refreshing step back to examine the nature of the death experience culturally, historically, psychologically, and personally. . . . Recommended reading as an antidote to modern life., "After the spate of near-death and out-of-the-body experience books comes this refreshing step back to examine the nature of the death experience culturally, historically, psychologically, and personally. . . . Recommended reading as an antidote to modern life." , A Brief History of Death has a great deal to offer: a historian-magpie's collection of hundreds of engaging topics that readers can dip into.
Dewey Decimal306.9
Table Of ContentIntroduction 1. Preliminary Patterns 2. Thinking Things Through 3. Extraordinary Narratives 4. Adverse Environments 5. Modern Reconsiderations Conclusion References Select Bibliography Acknowledgements Index
SynopsisA Brief History of Death offers a topical survey of views concerning death and its aftermath in the Western tradition, from prehistory to the present. It explores how humans understand and come to terms with the fact of mortality and looks at the physical and social aspects of death, how dying people are treated, how the dying conduct themselves in the knowledge of their approaching demise and how survivors choose to remember the dead., A Brief History of Death offers a topical survey of views concerning death and its aftermath in the Western tradition, from prehistory to the present. It explores how humans understand and come to terms with the fact of mortality and looks at the physical and social aspects of death, how dying people are treated, how the dying conduct themselves in the knowledge of their approaching demise and how survivors choose to remember the dead. W. M. Spellman examines the work of archaeologists and palaeoanthropologists to give insight into prehistoric perspectives on death through the interpretation of physical remains. He spotlights the great philosophical and scientific traditions of the West, or what can be termed the rationalist approach to end-of-life issues. The book also examines the major religious traditions that emerged during the so-called 'Axial Age' of the ancient world, focusing particularly on the centuries-long evolution of the Western Christian tradition. Three approaches to the meaning of death - negation of life, continuity in another form and agnosticism - are examined in both religious and secular-scientific contexts. A Brief History of Death considers how we have died throughout history, both in the causes of death and in our varying attitudes to actions that lead to the deaths of fellow humans. The book provides a deeper context for contemporary debates over end-of-life issues, especially the emerging tension between longevity and quality of life., As humans, death--its certainty, its inevitability--consumes us. We make it the subject of our literature, our art, our philosophy, and our religion. Our feelings and attitudes toward our mortality and its possible afterlives have evolved greatly from the early days of mankind. Collecting these views in this topical and instructive book, W. M. Spellman considers death and dying from every angle in the Western tradition, exploring how humans understand and come to terms with the end of life. Using the work of archaeologists and paleoanthropologists, Spellman examines how interpreting physical remains gives us insight into prehistoric perspectives on death. He traces how humans have died over the centuries, both in the causes of death and in the views of actions that lead to death. He spotlights the great philosophical and scientific traditions of the West, which did not believe in an afterlife or see the purpose of bereavement, while also casting new light on the major religious beliefs that emerged in the ancient world, particularly the centuries-long development of Christianity. He delves into three approaches to the meaning of death--the negation of life, continuity in another form, and agnosticism--from both religious and secular-scientific perspectives. Providing a deeper context for contemporary debates over end-of-life issues and the tension between longevity and quality of life, A Brief History of Death is an illuminating look at the complex ways humans face death and the dying.
LC Classification NumberHQ1073
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