How to Die: A Book about Being Alive

Written by Ray Robertson

Narrated by Graham Rowat

In How to Die: A Book About Being Alive, Ray Robertson meets Montaigne’s challenge, arguing with characteristic
candour and wit that if we gain a clearer understanding of death, we’ll also better understand life. Contending that
human beings tend to prefer illusion to reality—and so readily flock to the consoling myths of philosophy, religion,
and society—Robertson echoes Publius Syrus, the first-century Roman who claimed, “They live ill who expect to
live always.”

An absorbing excursion through some of Western literature’s most compelling works on the subject of mortality,
How to Die: A Book About Being Alive is an anecdotally-laden appeal for cultivating an honest relationship with death
in the belief that, if we do so, we’ll know more about what gives meaning to our lives. Pondering death isn’t morbid or
frivolous, Robertson argues—not unless we believe that asking what makes for a meaningful life is as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781980096849

Ray Robertson

Ray Robertson is the author of nine novels, five collections of non-fiction, and a book of poetry. His work has been translated into several languages. He contributed the liner notes to two Grateful Dead archival releases: Dave’s Picks #45 and the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 box set. Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, he lives in Toronto.

Reviews for How to Die

[Nancy Orr · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ray Robertson is as adroit with the English language as a mountain goat on Everest! He never skips a beat. His sentences are works of art, which flow off the tongue and the mind with a twirling pleasure. The breadth of his knowledge and interests are impressive as well, second only to his wry but sweet sense of humor. I found this book insightful, thought-provoking, and heartfelt. Robertson's presentation of the human condition, in regards to our imminent death, is a sober and amusing adventure.

[gshuk_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this easy to listen to short philosophical book. Many memorable quotes and ideas both of his and other writers. So much so that I have to get the ebook in order to write some of them down.