While much has been written in recent years on death and dying, there has been little treatment of how people cope with death in the absence of religious belief, and virtually no examination of the potential political repercussions of a wider acceptance of mortality in American society. Alfred Killilea's strikingly original book revolves around a central irony: though the subject of death has been largely shunned in American culture lest it rob life of meaning and contentment, confronting death may be crucial to enable us as individuals and as a society to affirm life, even to survive, in this nuclear age. Killilea argues that the denial of death has fostered a disavowal of limits in general, and that a greater awareness of our mortality would provide a much needed catalyst for change in our political response to narcissism and nuclearism. He traces how, from John Locke to the present, a politics and an economics based on growth for the sake of growth have required an avoidance of human vulnerability. Our confrontation with mortality, Killilea argues, would goad us to question our roles as mere acquirers and to take more seriously the need for equality and community in our society. In charting how we can come to terms with death and how profoundly our attitudes toward death affect our attitudes toward politics, Killilea vides lucid and authoritative commentaries on such provocative thinkers as Earnest Becker, Robert Jay Lifton, Michael Novak, Daniel Bell, Christopher Lasch, and Jonathan Schell. Scholars in many fields as well as interested lay readers will find the treatment of these issues and thinkers compelling. This easily accessible book is an urgent reminder that the most valuable spur to the examined life extolled by Socrates is the knowledge that we will die.

Review

"The most common experience in life, death is also the most elusive and difficult subject ever to confront the human mind. Alfred Killilea steers clear of myths and shibboleths and shows that the greatest gift possessed by human beings -- the ability to think analytically and creatively -- can be applied to the one confrontation that no one can avoid." -- Norman Cousins "The 'star wars' missile defense concept is part of the human fantasy that life can somehow be made absolutely safe; were we individually to accept our deaths, we might collectively save the planet. That is only one of the provocative insights in Killilea's splendid book." -- William Sloane Coffin

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Store Description

Large general used & rare bookstore with a well organized stock of over 10,000 mostly hardback books, antiquarian maps & prints, and tribal art. Open Weds-Sat from 12 - 5 or by appointment EST. We offer computerized Search Service and Appraisal services. Member Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and International League of Antiquarian Booksellers. Buying and Selling books since 1978, on line since 1998.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

GLOVER'S BOOKERY, ABAA
862 S. Broadway, Lexington, KY, 40504-2646, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Glover's Bookery, ABAA; Bookseller Since 1978, 859-253-0614, bookery@post.com;
Terms:
US$ by check on US bank or MC, VISA, American Express
Kentucky residences must add 6% sales take on direct to dealer orders.

These items are usually one of a kind and subject to prior sale.
Shipping: multivolume sets count per volume, (ie. 4 volume set = 4 books).
USPS BOOK RATE (2-20 days): $4.50 1st book + $1.75 each additional book
USPS PRIORITY (2-7 days): $9.95 1st book + $4.00 each additional book
USPS IN...

More Information

Right of cancellation

If you are a consumer you can cancel the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE RIGHT OF CANCELLATION

Statutory Right to cancel

You have the right to cancel this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.

The cancellation period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the the last good or the last lot or piece.

To exercise the right to cancel, you must inform us, GLOVER'S BOOKERY, ABAA, 862 S. Broadway, 40504-2646, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., +1 859-253-0614, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, fax or e-mail). You may use the attached model cancellation form, but it is not obligatory. You can also electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". If you use this option, we will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a cancellation on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.

To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.

Effects of cancellation

If you cancel this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).

We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.

We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to cancel with contract.

We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.

We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.

You shall send back the goods or hand them over to us or GLOVER'S BOOKERY, ABAA, Glover's Bookery, ABAA, LLC, 862 S. Broadway, 40504-2646, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., +1 859-253-0614, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your cancellation from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.

Exceptions to the right of cancellation

The right of cancellation does not apply to:

the delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
the supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not cancel it once delivery had started.

Model withdrawal form

(complete and return this form only if you wish to withdraw from the contract)

To: (GLOVER'S BOOKERY, ABAA, 862 S. Broadway, 40504-2646, Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A., +1 859-253-0614)

I/We (*) hereby give notice that I/We (*) withdraw from my/our (*) contract of sale of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following goods (*)/for the provision of the following service (*),

Ordered on (*)/received on (*)

Name of consumer(s)

Address of consumer(s)

Signature of consumer(s) (only if this form is notified on paper)

Date

* Delete as appropriate.

Shipping Terms

Ship/hnd: multiple volume sets counted by the book (ie. 4 vols = 4 books).
USPS BOOK RATE (2-20 days) $4.50 1st book, $1.75 each additional book; PRIORITY (2-7 days) $11.95 1st book, $4.00 each additional book; INTERNATIONAL: (we will quote you both surface and air for your approval before we process the order). Orders usually ship within 2 business days. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Shipping rates within U.S.A.
Order quantity	5 to 14 business days	3 to 5 business days
First item	� 4.43	� 11.13

Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.