Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die

by Michael Largo

Book Overview

To die, kick the bucket, to meet your Maker, dead as a doornail, get whacked, smoked, bite the dust, sleep with the fishes, go six feet under--whatever death is called, it's going to happen. In 1789 Ben Franklin wrote, "In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes." Death remains a certainty. But how do we die? It's the enormous variety of how that enlivens final exits.

According to death certificates, in 1700 there were less than...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060817410
• ISBN13: 9780060817411
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 5.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Love the book thus far however....

This book arrived really roughed up, aside from that i enjoyed reading it so far and taking my time!

Much better than I thought!

While this book is probably not very accurate about some events, it is very entertaining which is why I bought it. This book is alphabetized by cause of death and can be quite funny. Don't take it too seriously though.

You think you've got it bad!!

I really enjoyed this book! Reading about the crazy ways people die is always fun to me call me sick or morbid but it's true. It's funny at times, alot of graphic details and it's mostly unbelievable. True or not I don't know and frankly I couldn't care less. But it is however a good conversation starter at lame parties. It's short and easy to read at least worth a try.

A Must Own

I'm not exactly the "curl up with a good book " type, but I often find this hard to put down. This book is extremely fascinating. It's filled with facts and stories, both entertaining and thought provoking. It has quickly become my favorite thing to read and I plan to give it to at least one of my friends as a gift. Highly recommended for anyone who is a history buff, enjoys trivia, or reading interesting non-fiction literature.

"The problem with quotes about death is that the majority of them were written by people not yet dea

If you enjoy books about strange and unusual things you will be captivated with what you'll find in this collection facts and information as to how people die;or in the words of the author,make their "Final Exits". I have always enjoyed the unusual ,and have been a big fan of Ripley's "Believe It or Not!".This book is very similar and will keep you entertained for hours. All the entries are concise,seldom exceed a page or two,accompanied with hundreds of photographs,and overflowing with an endless stream of facts. You will find it a very easy read.It is a great book to leave around to be picked up for a few minutes at a time and you can open it anywhere and just start reading.It has 417 pages plus about 80 pages of source information and acknowledgements.So,not only is it a book to be enjoyed,it is definitely a great reference if you decide to delve further into anything in the book. The author has chosen a rather unusual way to present all this to us. He has put it in 26 chapters headed by the letters of the alphabet. Pretty much like an Encyclopedia.There is no index at the back of the book ,so if at a later date you decide to go back and find something,you may have to do bit of searching.There is also a chapter on "Epitaphs",but is surprisingly ,all too brief,however,sources for more are included. To give any idea of the extent of things covered is impossible ;other than to say ,it covers everything imaginable;and and numerous things you never even imagined.Rather than being morbid as one might suspect ,the book would be much more appropriately described as curious and informative. As an example of what you'll find; Reasons for death found on death certificates of the 1880's "Died suddenly.Nothing serious." "Don't know the cause.Died without aid of Physician." "Don't know cause.Had never been fatally ill before." "Lack of ambition." "Worn out." Visitation of God." Or this Epitaph from Silver City,Nevada,1878 Here lays Butch We planted him raw. He was quick on the trigger, But slow on the draw.

morbid compulsion

I saw this book listed in Entertainment Weekly recently and decided it may be worth buying. For those of you out there fascinated by death this is the book for you. The forward claims that reading this book will extend your life by two years. After reading just a few of the pages so far, I can understand the claim. The presentation is somewhat lighthearted for such a morbid subject but very readable. Once you pick it up, it really is difficult to put down - the statistics, the details, the illustrations and photos all make this a wonderful - although sobering - read. Knowing now how an airbag can KILL YOU makes me glad I own a later model vehicle.