
On Living
Life's greatest lessons and last thoughts from the dying
Kerry Egan(Author)
Penguin Life (Publisher)
Published on 26. July 2018
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-241-29729-2 (ISBN)
Description
"A brave and uplifting meditation on how important it is to make peace and meaning of our lives while we still have them" - Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love
What are the greatest regrets of the dying?
At her patients' bedside, witnessing their final moments, this is what Kerry Egan discovers. How do the dying seek to making meaning of their lives, the people and moments that have shaped them; and what are those things above all else that they wish they could have done differently?
From stories of families torn apart by war, to making peace with the shame of a long-hidden secret, these are the tales of people who wished they had loved their partners more, cherished their children more, forgiven feuds and betrayals, and those who simply wish they had danced more.
This isn't a book about dying - it's a book about living. Each of Egan's patients taught her something: how to find courage in the face of fear, how to make amends whilst you still can, how to see that the world is not just black and white, and that there can be beauty in the grey.
In this deeply moving and illuminating book, Kerry captures the fragility of the human experience, imparting the poignant and profound lessons from the dying, on how to live a life without regrets.
What are the greatest regrets of the dying?
At her patients' bedside, witnessing their final moments, this is what Kerry Egan discovers. How do the dying seek to making meaning of their lives, the people and moments that have shaped them; and what are those things above all else that they wish they could have done differently?
From stories of families torn apart by war, to making peace with the shame of a long-hidden secret, these are the tales of people who wished they had loved their partners more, cherished their children more, forgiven feuds and betrayals, and those who simply wish they had danced more.
This isn't a book about dying - it's a book about living. Each of Egan's patients taught her something: how to find courage in the face of fear, how to make amends whilst you still can, how to see that the world is not just black and white, and that there can be beauty in the grey.
In this deeply moving and illuminating book, Kerry captures the fragility of the human experience, imparting the poignant and profound lessons from the dying, on how to live a life without regrets.
Reviews / Votes
A brave and uplifting meditation on how important it is to make peace and meaning of our lives while we still have them -- Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love As the title suggests, this is not just a book about dying. It's one that will inspire readers to make the most of every day. * Publishers Weekly * Thoughtful and refreshingly unpretentious . . . [Egan's] insights continue to resonate for days after you've finished reading * Washington Post on 'Fumbling' * When I forget the importance of kindness, when I forget to listen, when I no longer recognize the comfort of a quiet presence ... I will want On Living within arm's reach, always. -- Abigail Thomas, author of Comes Next and How to Like It'More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Books Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
159 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-241-29729-2 (9780241297292)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
05/2017
1st Edition
Penguin Books Ltd
€9.49
Available for download
Person
Kerry Egan is a hospice chaplain and a graduate of Harvard Divinity School. She is the author of a memoir, Fumbling: A Journey of Love, Adventure and Renewal on the Camino de Santiago and has published essays in print and online publications, including Reader's Digest, and CNN.