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Erica Brown

Happier Endings: A Meditation on Life and Death Paperback – 1 May 2014

by Erica Brown (Author)

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Called “cathartic” by The Wall Street Journal, this wise and affirming book helps you accept and prepare for death through important conversations about what matters most.

“Extreme empathy with extreme tough-mindedness.” That’s how David Brooks, of The New York Times, describes Erica Brown. In Happier Endings, she helps us confront our fears about death—for ourselves and our loved ones—and demonstrates how the last days of life can be among the most inspiring if we learn to leave a legacy of words and values, to forgive and apologize, and to make important decisions.

Along the way, she introduces us to people of all faiths who deal with death in enlightening ways, including a mother who arranged for her children to sprinkle her ashes on a favorite ski slope; an ex-nun who prepares people to die; a group of women who ritually wash their dead; and a family whose grandfather’s ethical will is read by his survivors each year. After reading Happier Endings, you will have a greater understanding of what a good death can be and what a life well lived looks like.

Print length

352 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Simon & Schuster
Publication date

1 May 2014
Dimensions

13.97 x 2.03 x 21.27 cm
ISBN-10

1451649231
ISBN-13

978-1451649239
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Product description

Review

"Cathartic" ― The Wall Street Journal

"Brown addresses this painful subject with eloquence, honesty, and clarity; we can reckon with death, she avers, to change the lives we have now, to live fully and sincerely in the present moment, whatever we feel might happen afterward." -- Library Journal starred review

“Happier Endings brings a cheery note to a dreary subject. . . . We have no choice about being mortal, but we do have some freedom, as Happier Endings reminds us, in choosing how we live with this awareness and how we make our exit.” ― Washington Post

“With sensitivity, humor, and unflinching honesty. . . [Happier Endings] is at times emotionally eviscerating but ultimately inspiring, as it expounds upon a simple truth: no one knows what tomorrow will bring.” ― Spirituality & Health

“Brown has what many people are looking for these days….conviction.” -- David Brooks ― The New York Times

"Erica Brown is wise and brilliant, with a refreshing sense of humor and an enriching perspective on some of life's great challenges. Readers will find comfort and sustenance in her words." -- Daniel Silva, author of The Fallen Angel

"Erica Brown has a unique voice. A woman of faith, she speaks to everyone searching for God and greater meaning. In Happier Endings, Erica explores our attitudes toward death by helping us identify what it means to be alive. She inspires and she reminds us what is most important before we say goodbye." -- David Gregory, NBC News

"Erica Brown is the teacher we all want and the guide we all need. Happier Endings is an elegant portrait of the most powerful part of being human: how we live. From the wisdom of the Bible to the frontier of the Internet, this important book makes the persuasive case that the final years of life are among the most critical – and the most meaningful. Bravo." -- Bruce Feiler, bestselling author of Walking the Bible and The Council of Dads

About the Author

Dr. Erica Brown is an educator and the author of ten books, mostly on the themes of spirituality and leadership. She lives with her husband, four children and two dogs just outside of Washington, DC.

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Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Simon & Schuster; Reprint edition (1 May 2014)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1451649231
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1451649239
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.97 x 2.03 x 21.27 cm

Best Sellers Rank: 1,024,054 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- 1,174 in Sociology of Death (Books)
- 1,354 in Humanist Philosophy
- 1,370 in Christian Death & Grief

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groupworker

Outstanding

Reviewed in the United States on 23 October 2013

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I loved this book - really loved it. Perhaps I was influenced by having heard Erica present on a number of occasions, yet this book felt much different than her others. First of all, she raises the profound question of whether we might have a higher quality of life if we were better informed and more open to understanding death. It is hard to think of a more powerful question, especially for those of us over the age of 50.

This is not a black and white book with a summary of death rituals. This book is so rich with information from broad perspectives. Dr. Brown presents a comprehensive and well researched view of death and death related rituals. Yet, she does so through storytelling and numerous "tongue-in-cheek" jokes. I simply could not put it down and at times I couldn't stop laughing (still am thinking about the fish tank in the Chinese restaurant).

I was fascinated learn about how different faiths and cultures approach death (discuss death, plan for death, experience death of loved ones). At the same time, I appreciated her returning to her own deep knowledge of Judaism as the foundation for her view of the world.

I must get this book for my friends.

One person found this helpful

db

Not as sad as i would have thought

Reviewed in the United States on 27 May 2013

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it took me awhile to get into the correct mode to read this book. Being of a certain age, I thought this would be difficult to read but alas, it actually gave me some important things to think about. My favorite thing is the ethical will. It's important to share those thoughts with loved ones, particularly one's children, while of sound mind. Many of the examples sited in the book are heartbreaking but as the author goes through this with a family member, it makes it that much more human. Happier Endings gives a difficult subject a shot in the arm. Whether I will ever be ready is a question I continue to ponder but I've read how others have handled it and perhaps that has de-mystified it a bit. It is an easy read were the topic not so complex.

2 people found this helpful

Jonathan M. Brown

Good but somewhat disappointing

Reviewed in the United States on 27 July 2013

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I liked it because it addresses such a critical need for a 'cultural shift' on what dying means to people without faith in the immortality of the soul and/or the resurrection and reincarnation of the body. Since we can't know what 'the next life will consist of, or how we would be able to communicate without eyes and ears, etc., we need to invest in the belief that something good is going to happen and therefore death is simply a 'transition' from the kind of life we now live and whatever awaits us in the 'great beyond.' Like any situation we face, it's our attitude towards what happens that determines whether we can celebrate it, or made despondent by it.

I would have liked the author to emphasize all the evidence there is for a 'good' afterlife, rather than spend so much time on a rationale for suicide. If all the fears we have about death are mitigated, suicide would be a rare option indeed. Which is not to say that all of us shouldn't learn the 'signs' of someone who wants to commit suicide, and take steps to dissuade the potential suicide

One person found this helpful

Brian L. Rogers

Very informative reading!

Reviewed in the United States on 15 May 2013

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I learned a lot and am still learning about death. I never realized this subject could be entertaining, but it is. There is a lot about death and the Jewish tradition, but that is only a small part of this book. I recommend this book to everyone. I don't plan on dying anytime soon or loosing anyone, but I think I am better informed about death and dying and what different cultures and religions view as an afterlife.

One person found this helpful

Linda Polack

Deeply human, sensitive, therapeutic

Reviewed in the United States on 14 April 2013

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Must reading. Touching, sensitive, deeply human analysis of death and the dying. What death and the dying have to teach us about appreciating life, about loving those close to us. How to make the last months, weeks, days and hours of the dying as meaningful and theraputic as possible, for both the dying and the mourners. Erica writes like a deeply compassionate psychotherapist. Very warm, at times somewhat humorous. Could hardly put it down.

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