Death in America: Short Stories about Terminal Illness and Death

By Robert Klassen

Terminal illness and death of a loved one move us deeply and sometimes mysteriously change our lives. These stories explore our different reactions to this profound experience This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595096107
• ISBN13: 9780595096107
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 116 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A deeply profound and philosophical book.

Robert Klassen is a retired professional respiratory therapist with 40 years of experience. He had been working as one since 1963. He has written a book that I think is a quite necessary and practical read for anyone who is at all worried about their health or knows someone who is (I guess that would include all of us). The book is entitled Death in America and has some very profound and frightening stories about what he had seen in hospitals over these last 40 plus years. "Terminal illness and death are most definitely not pleasant subjects," but as Robert writes, "...Each one of us will experience both and (we) should contemplate our relationship with the end of life as we know it... Beware; the death of a loved one could change your life before you know it." People rarely die when you expect it and no one dies at a good time. I know: My father, healthy and strong at 62, just up and had a stroke one day and spent the next 2 months on a respirator. It was a terrible time for the family. Had I read this book sooner, I could have avoided some of the suffering for everyone concerned. This situation could happen to anyone, it could happen to you. Death in America, written in fictionalized form, goes through the stories of some people who met with death told from their personal point of view or of the point of view of the hospital staff. Some of the stories are gut-wrenching. Some of the stories hint at subjects that our modern Western medicine would never touch or even consider. But all are compelling and a fascinating read. All are most definitely food for thought. You just have to know that someone who worked for over 40 years with the living, just before - and after their deaths; just has to have some - depending on how you look at it - strange or enlightening experiences. Some experiences are unexplainable; many of them frightening. Robert has seen - and written about - some things that might just drop your jaw. This book is a necessary read for anyone who wishes to consider a different aspect of illness, death, and the modern human condition in America. It is an understatement to say that Death in America is also a deeply profound and philosophical book.

A collection of stories about how it really is

The writer of this book, Robert Klassen, had worked for over 40 years as a pulomnary and respiratory specialist. Of course someone who worked for over 40 years with the living, just before - and immediately after their deaths; has to have some strange or enlightening experiences. Some experiences are unexplainable; many of them will scare you to death. Many will bring you closer to "God" (If there is such an entity) Robert Klassen has written about what we all know is coming - but explains in easy to understand language what it is we fear.. This book might give you some comfort or it might give you something to worry about. Either way, it will help you get your life (and death) in order so as to make things easier for yourself and your survivors. 10 stars if they had that many to give. You need to read this book.