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With the End in Mind

Dying, Death and Wisdom in an Age of Denial

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With the End in Mind

By: Kathryn Mannix
Narrated by: Elizabeth Carling
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About this listen

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

‘Impossible to read with dry eyes or an unaltered mindset’ Sunday Times

‘Illuminating and beautiful’ Cathy Rentzenbrink

With the End in Mind is a book for us all: the grieving and bereaved, the ill and the healthy. By turns touching and tragic, funny and wise, it tells powerful human stories of life and death.

Eric, the retired head teacher who even with Motor Neurone Disease gets things done. Sylvie, 19 and diagnosed with leukaemia, sewing a cushion for her mum to hold after she has died. Nelly and Joe, two people enduring loneliness to shield their beloveds from distress.

A powerful and emotional book based on a lifetime’s clinical experience, With the End in Mind offers calm, wise advice on how to face death, live fully and find a model for hope in dark times.

Kathryn Mannix’s With the End in Mind was a Sunday Times bestseller the weeks ending 6 January 2018, 13 January 2018 and 3 February 2018.

Grief & Loss Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Personal Development Professionals & Academics Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Marriage Medicine Thought-Provoking Feel-Good Inspiring Pain Management Health Care Heartfelt

Critic reviews

It is incredibly moving, of course, but what it isn’t is miserable. Yes this is a book about death, but it is also a book about joy. There aren’t all that many books that change the way you see the world. This book really might. It will make you want to do a better job of loving and living. It will make you want to be kinder. And it will make you want to cherish every precious moment of your precious life.’

Sunday Times

Extraordinary and profoundly moving. … Any reader will come away with the wish that they will be cared for at the end by someone with Mannix’s imaginative sympathy and matter-of-fact generosity of perception’

Rowan Williams, New Statesman

Illuminating and beautiful … I shed a few tears but it’s not gut wrenching and Mannix weaves the light and dark strands of her experience with finesse. It’s essential reading for anyone who will encounter death, and that means all of us.’

Cathy Rentzenbrink, The Times

‘I got to the end of Kathryn Mannix’s book with just one thought – I wish I’d been a palliative consultant … A reminder that talking about death is an Act of Love’

Greg Wise

‘In the last few years, there has been a crowd of books by doctors, scientists and writers that have sought to show us different, kinder ways of ending: Atul Gawande, Oliver Sacks, Henry Marsh… the list is long. Now Kathryn Mannix joins this distinguished group. Mannix’s aim is to shed a soft, clear light on a subject too often avoided. Mild, tender and conciliatory, I would like her to be my compassionate, wise doctor when I lie dying.’

Observer

All stars
Most relevant
This is a book everyone in our. Modern western ‘culture ‘ should be familiar with.
Yes, the content will make you cry but stick with it, there is safety and truth in the words.
As someone who has the knowledge of a journey soon to end, I am less scared of the destination and separation that transition will enforce.
Thank you for your wisdom.

Brilliant

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I found this book incredibly helpful, having been diagnosed with stage four cancer two years ago, Because of this I felt I ought to read/ listen to it. In the end I was very glad that I had.
It is in part science and also anecdotal, drawing on Dr. Mannix's forty years in medicine, mainly in palliative care. I am not at the hospice stage yet, if indeed I ever may be, so I had not really addressed my end of life, except to put my everyday affairs (financial, body disposal etc.) in order.
I had no idea about the natural dying process, and this is very well explained, both using clear medical explanations and anecdotes.
I would recommend this book to anyone, whether ill or not.
The doctor rightly points out that because of medical advances we as a society are no longer as acquainted with death and the final days of others as we once were.
This book has answered all of my questions, ones that I did not like to ask my doctors for fear of being accused of being morbid or in case I sparked a lot of attention from the medical team, worried that I may be suffering from mental breakdown at the prospect of my own death. I came away from this book reassured, calm and confident that I now know all that I need to know for when I am about to die.
You will note that I do not use euphemisms like "when it is my time" or "passing away". I am not only ready to die, but happy and confident that I will be able to handle the situation.
A word of advice. Be careful if listening to this audiobook in public. I was moved to tears on several occasions. I was in a public park the first time, fortunately a good distance from the nearest dog-walkers.

Very reassuring.

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A thought provoking sometimes difficult theme to listen to but such an authentic honest discussion of death and the process of dying. Thank you Kathryn.

Food for the soul

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raw, thought provoking and enlightening. thank you. I work within Palliative care and seek to gain more exposure and wisdom in this precious environment. this audio book reinforced this wish.

simply wonderful

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Surprisingly compelling listen encouraging the listener, through a variety of sensitivity portrayed case studies and observations, to revisit commonly held beliefs and approaches. I found myself regretting dismissing my mother's attempts to discuss her concerns about 'after she was gone'. My unwillingness to contemplate the event, I now appreciate, probably made her situation more frustrating - feeling unheard. End of life should be about living AND dying well. This book is helpful to open up much needed conversations and encourage true understanding of the individuals wants and needs and ease the bereavement process.

Thought Provoking

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