How We Die, Reflections on Life's Final Chapter Chapter Summary & Analysis | The Introduction

The Introduction Summary

In his introduction, Dr. Nuland presents the idea of the modern death. It is here that he explains there are six primary avenues leading to death. Dr. Nuland expounds that each of these six avenues exhibit similar characteristics and result in processes he considers universal to dying. With his mother's death, Dr. Nuland believes that his life course was set. It was four decades later, and after the passing of his brother when he attempted to put these reflections to pen and paper. In this introduction the author beseeches the reader to cast aside the doubt or denial one might have regarding death and the dying process. While one's end might be imagined or even dreamed it is the reality of death that this book presents to the reader. As Dr. Nuland relates his case studies, patient accounts, and the dying processes he questions only what dignity is evident in...
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