The Wheel of Life :The Wheel of Life :
A Memoir of Living and Dying
by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, Todd Gold
Paperback - 288 pages (June
1998)
Touchstone Books; ISBN: 0684846314
Reviews:
A reader from Wisconsin , 06/15/98 Detailed,
frank, interesting
Writes about all her experiences, good and bad, that she feels ultimately
needed to happen in her life--as she puts it "there are no accidents
in life". Have to admit that she lost me in her "channeling to
the other side". I did not understand specifically what was fact and
what was the fiction of these times that caused her disappointment--one
overlapped the other and became a gray area. She appeared as one who was
driven to "do good" as a worldly "mover and shaker"--admirable,
but also hard to get close to because she was constantly on the move. She
challenges the medical profession with the need of allowing people to have
"good deaths" by creating the hospice environment for the terminally
ill.
A reader from Morris, IL , 02/10/98 A
book that makes you think about and appreciate life.
I just turned 25, and have been a fan of Kubler-Ross...I was so affected
by this book. I have told everyone that I know to read it, although, unfortunately,
people my age don't think they should be thinking of dying yet. Little do
they know that by learning about dying, we learn how to live.
A reader from Auckland, New Zealand ,
02/06/98 Whew! A real roller coaster ride
Those of us who gained immensely from Kubler-Ross' first book "On death
and dying" will be interested to read her final book. And what a dichotomy
from the first! Instead of a carefully reasoned, almost scientific treatise
on the subject of life and death, Kubler-Ross throws us onto the roller
coaster that has been her life. Unsatisfactory relationships, a definite
superiority complex (Kubler-Ross is always right) and a profound belief
that her life has eveolved the way it has in order for her to learn the
lessons she needs to - and yet mysterious and thought-provoking. The way
in which she refers to her "spooks" (her term), the spirit guides
which live with her each day, and her encounters with out of body experiences
leave us more grounded souls with a high degree of scepticism. And yet ...
Read this book and make up your mind for yourself.
A reader from Houston,Texas , 01/18/98
I Loved this Book. It was the final piece of the puzzle.
Kubler-Ross is the kind of heroine I want our young women of today to role
model after. She is a great example of how to follow your passion. Life
would hold so much more meaning if we could all find the courage to do that.
A reader from Atlanta , 09/18/97 honest
and straightforward manner
Kubler-Ross writes the account of her life in an honest and straightforward
manner without worry about whom she might offend. Her accounts of interactions
with hospital staff and doctors are unabashedly arrogant yet funny, and
we're compelled to remember ourselves or loved ones who've been in similar,
seemingly uncontrollable, situations. In this book, Dr. Ross reveals more
of her own spirituality and unique experiences -- some of which are hard
to swallow -- but yet, she writes of these experiences to share information
rather than to persuade the reader to believe. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
A reader from Minneapolis, MN , 09/10/97
Truly Enlightening
I have spent the last year coming to terms with the terminal illness and
recent death of a family member. This book was enlightening for me. It helped
me deal with the emotions and anger I had bottled up inside. It also gave
me great insight into my loved one's feelings during the dying process.
I only wish I had read the book prior to their death. It was comforting
to read much of what the author said.
A reader from Philadelphia, PA , 09/06/97
Inspiration from a crabby, selfish, person is impossible
The story highlights the author's egomania. She talks about people she's
encountered as if she has met the devil himself. The list of her foes include
her husband, daughter, husband, as well as basically all nurses and doctors.
It was difficult to be inspired by a person encouraging compassion when
she had so little for others.
R.Douglas , 06/23/97 She shares her history
and motivations without preaching.
Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' autobiography is more a attribute to living than
it is to dying. She shares her history, her motivations, and her accomplishments.
The writing provides her solutions to some of life's lessons in a non-preachy
way. She shares her beliefs and includes convincing, supporting stories
without ever telling us that we should take her word for it.
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