This book made me cry. It made me cry for my dad and all the people like me, who are poor and therefore don't"qualify" for a good end-of-life experience.

The author is a pioneer in the field of community-wide hospice. The cases he inscribes here, where he assisted, or was a consultant, had meaningful death.

Here in our society, especially if you are poor, or of color, have mental illness, you are at-risk. "You need to just die and make way for younger people who can contribute to society." That is pretty much what our country's attitude to you will be when your time comes. ( )

Stories of love, reconciliation in the face of tragedy, pain and conflict based on the wide experience of a director of a hospice.

Aspirational but assumes that the dying person is still lucid. Generally helpful tho and written in a very comforting manner. ( )

The author of this book, Dr. Ira Byock, has dedicated his life as a hospice director to make sure that no one should have to die in pain, or die alone. He is prominent spokesperson for the hospice movement. In this book, he shares the true stories of dying patients, and how important emotional work can be accomplished in the final months, weeks, and even days of life.

Through the stories of the patients, families and those that are dying that can learn to deal with doctors, how to talk to friends and relatives, and how to make the time towards the end of life meaningful.

I chose this book because I am now in palliative care for metastatic breast cancer; I'm not at that point yet where I need hospice care, but learning as much as I can about the death and dying process helps me to fear it less. I have learned something from every family that I read about in this book. It's a comfort to know that there are things that can be done to ease suffering, especially with pain, right up until the very end.

The hardest story in this book to read, but the most rewarding, was that of 8 year old Michael Merseal, being cared for at home by his dedicated single father, and an equally dedicated hospice team. Michael's story is also featured in the HBO documentary Letting Go: A Hospice Journey. (Dr. Byock is also in this film.) You can watch this 90 minute film for free on You Tube, and I highly recommend it as a companion to this book.

I highly recommend this book to anyone facing a terminal illness, and those who may have to deal with the terminal illness of a family member or friend. ( )

A researcher, hospice doctor for decades, and national leader in end-of-life care (past president of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine, and director of a national program to improve end of life care), Dr. Byock helps the reader understand landmarks and taskwork for the end of life by telling relaying true stories from his experience with patients and families.