I had to read this whole textbook cover to cover. I am unwell

I read this for a Death & Dying class. While the class has been very impactful on me I am taking a star away for the usual textbook fail of operating from a gender binary perspective (no need to say "he or she" repeatedly, just say "they"!), and because several areas could use a more nuanced and honest appraisal of where racism shows up in medical and other fields related to death and dying. I felt it glossed over things several times. Other than that, it's honestly a great read even outside of a classroom setting - some chapters I wept thru, some I hurried thru, and some I could have kept reading.

well, since we all ends up (death) in you know,,, this book tells about other culture on how they deals on death.. reason why people commits suicide.. everything bout death..

This was a very easy to read textbook. It was interesting and kept my attention throughout. I would like to read an updated version. This one is about 20 years outdated and focuses a lot on AIDS. It would be interesting to read about how technological advances in the last 20 years affect thanatology.

I read through this book while taking a course on Death, Dying, and Bereavement as an elective for an undergraduate degree in psychology in 2011. I thought it was informative and served much of the purpose of the class. The course, along with the book, helped broaden my understanding on the diverse manners in which people deal with death. It was the first time that I was exposed to the idea that death, and bereavement, can have elements of humor, which up to that point I had always perceived this particular element of life as always being somber and sad. This insight came to be useful when I gave a eulogy at my father's funeral.

Mid.

Used this book for a Sociology class. Very helpful and a good read.

wasn't what I was expecting

This is a very good book. So often, it can be difficult to look at and accept our eventual deaths. I found it very accessible and eye opening. It's definitely a book that I will keep around so that I can read it again.

Enlightening and useful

This book forces you to look at things you may have been taught to a valid and consider things the world will tell you are better left to later. Read it now and explore all parts of life.

Social and Psychological Aspects of Death & Dying GERO 437 Fall 2005

This class (and this fantastic textbook and, to be entirely fair, a fantastic professor) turned me into a Gerontology major. Bravo!

Who knew a textbook could be so good? Although my class was asynchronous online, this fascinating book more than made up for it. Doesn’t hurt that one of the authors (DeSpelder) was a past instructor of my class.