I have the old hard-bound version, given to my mother after my father died, with passages she underlined and my little sister's crayon scribbles. Growing up, I assumed it must be like The Egyptian Book of the Dead or the Guide for the Recently Deceased in Beetlejuice, so while curious, I viewed it with trepidation and kept my distance. Its contents were a mystery to me until my mom gave this to me as a resource for my poetry, which often explores death. In just the few months I've had it, it's been a fantastic resource for further reading as well as a source of solace in a time of grief. Some quotes are heartbreaking, some are heartwarming, and most provide interesting food for thought. It's well-organized and indexed, something often lacking in these sorts of compilations. My only complaint , which I suppose is a matter of personal taste, is that some of the quotes are too long, indeed they are full passages of text that can go on for a page or longer, and I prefer things more concise. ( )

This is a comprehensive anthology of writers views of death. Organized by topic covering the multitude aspects of death from definitions to epitaphs, requiems and last words the book provides a coverage of thinking about death that is at once breathtaking and inspirational. The editor, D. J. Enright , provides useful introductions to the sections as a guide for the reader. I have found this volume to be a useful reference and fascinating source for thinking about the myriad aspects of death. ( )

I'm not sure why someone took the trouble to write this book, nor indeed why Oxford published it! ( )