Rate this book

American Afterlife: Encounters In The Customs Of Mourning (2014)

by Kate Sweeney(Favorite Author)

3.8 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0820346004 (ISBN13: 9780820346007)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

University of Georgia Press

review 1: I initially heard about this book when Kate Sweeney was doing an interview on the 'Stuff Your Mom Never Told You' podcast, and it sounded really interesting. I loved Mary Roach's 'Stiff', and I was assuming it would be in the same vein. While it was interesting, I found her lack of nation-wide research kind of frustrating. Most of her info and interviews came from North and South Carolina and Georgia. While that may be representative of the southeast culture/customs/demographics, I doubt those stats are similar in the Midwest, the northeast, etc. Personally, I would have enjoyed a more thoroughly researched book. However, I loved her personal stories, the fun facts/vocations/options, and the afterword updates.
review 2: According to the author, I am like most A... moremericans in my avoidance of death and my hopeful belief that it is something I will not have to personally address until much late in life. What is fantastic about Sweeny's book is that it ushers us into the world of death gently, with a guide who is just as nervous as we are about the "foreign" customs taking place. It also forces one to think about death in a productive way...How would I like to be memorialized? How would I react when faced with the death of a loved one? And presents us with the full range of quirky and fascinating subcultures that are hidden just out of our view. This is a very funny and moving book, and also one of those engaging non-fiction books that presents fun facts and opinions that you instantly want to share a passage with the person next to you. A wonderful piece of journalism about a topic you might not expect to enjoy reading about. Also features gorgeous cover art to show off on your coffee table. 5 1/2 stars! less

Download links for: American Afterlife: Encounters in the Customs of Mourning

Advertising