Jane Brody's Guide to the Great Beyond

Starred review from November 17, 2008
In her inimitably straightforward, informative and intelligent manner, New York Times
health columnist Brody (Jane Brody’s Good Food Book
) gives pragmatic direction to a concerned yet reluctant readership in this essential travel guide for the journey toward the inevitable. In pointing out that there is a difference between sensibly learning to accept death and surrendering, she reminds us that our attitude about living colors our approach to death. Thoroughly outlining all attendant demands and details for facing one’s end, Brody provides facts and support for families and patients, and makes it appear entirely possible to “go with grace.” With bulleted lists itemizing what needs to be done and how to do it, short portraits and anecdotes throughout, Brody covers the importance of preparation; the necessity of an advance directive and why a living will is not enough; funeral plans; living with a bad prognosis and dealing with uncertainty; caregiving; hospice; communicating with doctors; assisted dying; organ donation and autopsy; and legacies. An instructive, inspiring and reassuring work full of compassion and humor (along with several cartoons from various New Yorker
illustrators), this volume belongs on every family’s bookshelf.

December 9, 2008
Verdict: This compassionate guide prepares readers to meet "the great beyond" with peace and some measure of joy. Highly recommended for all collections. Background: Brody, a personal health columnist for the New York Times, demonstrates how to prepare for the end of life, covering living with a fatal disease, palliative care and hospice, spiritual care, caregiving, creating an advance directive, designating a health-care proxy, and planning funerals. Chapters on coping with the death of a child and understanding organ donation and autopsies round out the comprehensive treatment. Cartoons from Kathleen Miller's Last Laughs: Funny Tombstone Quotes and Famous Last Words enliven the grim subject matter. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 10/1/08.]-Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA

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