A Brief History of Death

ISBN: 1405101830

Author: Davies, Douglas

Condition: New

The act of death itself and the rituals surrounding it vary enormously and shed a fascinating light on the cultures of which they are a part. In this brief and lively history, Douglas Davies - internationally acknowledged as one of the leading experts in this field - tackles some of the most significant aspects of death and weaves them into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dying.Offers a fascinating examination of this subject which is of enduring interest in every culture in the worldConsiders the profound influence death has had on subjects ranging from philosophy to anthropology, through to art, literature, and music - inspiring some of our most enduring artistic highpointsBroaches some of the most significant aspects of death, such as the act of dying, grieving, burial, artistic interpretations of death, places of memory, the fear of death, and disasters/tragediesWeaves these numerous approaches to death into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dyingContains several illustrations, and is written in an accessible and lively style.