BOOK CLUB KIT. From here to eternity traveling the world to find the good death

Colorado: Crestone -- Indonesia: South Sulawesi -- Mexico: Michoacán -- North Carolina: Cullowhee -- Spain: Barcelona -- Japan: Tokyo -- Bolivia: La Paz -- California: Joshua Tree.;Fascinated by our pervasive fear of dead bodies, mortician Caitlin Doughty set out to discover how other cultures care for the dead. In rural Indonesia, she watches a man clean and dress his grandfather's mummified body, which has resided in the family home for two years. In La Paz, she meets Bolivian natitas (cigarette-smoking, wish-granting human skulls), and in Tokyo she encounters the Japanese kotsuage ceremony, in which relatives use chopsticks to pluck their loved-ones' bones from cremation ashes. Doughty vividly describes decomposed bodies and investigates the world's funerary history. She introduces deathcare innovators researching body composting and green burial, and examines how varied traditions, from Mexico's Días de los Muertos to Zoroastrian sky burial help us see our own death customs in a new light. Doughty contends that the American funeral industry sells a particular -- and, upon close inspection, peculiar -- set of 'respectful' rites: bodies are whisked to a mortuary, pumped full of chemicals, and entombed in concrete. She argues that our expensive, impersonal system fosters a corrosive fear of death that hinders our ability to cope and mourn. By comparing customs, she demonstrates that mourners everywhere respond best when they help care for the deceased, and have space to participate in the process. Illustrated by artist Landis Blair, From Here to Eternity is an adventure into the morbid unknown, a story about the many fascinating ways people everywhere have confronted the very human challenge of mortality. Fascinated By Our Pervasive Fear Of Dead Bodies, Mortician Caitlin Doughty Set Out To Discover How Other Cultures Care For The Dead. In Rural Indonesia, She Watches A Man Clean And Dress His Grandfather's Mummified Body, Which Has Resided In The Family Home For Two Years. In La Paz, She Meets Bolivian Natitas (cigarette-smoking, Wish-granting Human Skulls), And In Tokyo She Encounters The Japanese Kotsuage Ceremony, In Which Relatives Use Chopsticks To Pluck Their Loved-ones' Bones From Cremation Ashes. Doughty Vividly Describes Decomposed Bodies And Investigates The World's Funerary History. She Introduces Deathcare Innovators Researching Body Composting And Green Burial, And Examines How Varied Traditions, From Mexico's Días De Los Muertos To Zoroastrian Sky Burial Help Us See Our Own Death Customs In A New Light. Doughty Contends That The American Funeral Industry Sells A Particular -- And, Upon Close Inspection, Peculiar -- Set Of 'respectful' Rites: Bodies Are Whisked To A Mortuary, Pumped Full Of Chemicals, And Entombed In Concrete. She Argues That Our Expensive, Impersonal System Fosters A Corrosive Fear Of Death That Hinders Our Ability To Cope And Mourn. By Comparing Customs, She Demonstrates That Mourners Everywhere Respond Best When They Help Care For The Deceased, And Have Space To Participate In The Process. Illustrated By Artist Landis Blair, From Here To Eternity Is An Adventure Into The Morbid Unknown, A Story About The Many Fascinating Ways People Everywhere Have Confronted The Very Human Challenge Of Mortality. Colorado: Crestone -- Indonesia: South Sulawesi -- Mexico: Michoacán -- North Carolina: Cullowhee -- Spain: Barcelona -- Japan: Tokyo -- Bolivia: La Paz -- California: Joshua Tree. Caitlin Doughty ; Illustrations By Landis Blair. Includes Bibliographical References. Colorado: Crestone -- Indonesia: South Sulawesi -- Mexico: Michoac�an -- North Carolina: Cullowhee -- Spain: Barcelona -- Japan: Tokyo -- Bolivia: La Paz -- California: Joshua Tree. Fascinated By Our Pervasive Fear Of Dead Bodies, Mortician Caitlin Doughty Set Out To Discover How Other Cultures Care For The Dead. In Rural Indonesia, She Watches A Man Clean And Dress His Grandfather's Mummified Body, Which Has Resided In The Family Home For Two Years. In La Paz, She Meets Bolivian Natitas (cigarette-smoking, Wish-granting Human Skulls), And In Tokyo She Encounters The Japanese Kotsuage Ceremony, In Which Relatives Use Chopsticks To Pluck Their Loved-ones' Bones From Cremation Ashes. Doughty Vividly Describes Decomposed Bodies And Investigates The World's Funerary History. She Introduces Deathcare Innovators Researching Body Composting And Green Burial, And Examines How Varied Traditions, From Mexico's D�ias De Los Muertos To Zoroastrian Sky Burial Help Us See Our Own Death Customs In A New Light. Doughty Contends That The American Funeral Industry Sells A Particular -- And, Upon Close Inspection, Peculiar -- Set Of 'respectful' Rites: Bodies Are Whisked To A Mortuary, Pumped Full Of Chemicals, And Entombed In Concrete. She Argues That Our Expensive, Impersonal System Fosters A Corrosive Fear Of Death That Hinders Our Ability To Cope And Mourn. By Comparing Customs, She Demonstrates That Mourners Everywhere Respond Best When They Help Care For The Deceased, And Have Space To Participate In The Process. Illustrated By Artist Landis Blair, From Here To Eternity Is An Adventure Into The Morbid Unknown, A Story About The Many Fascinating Ways People Everywhere Have Confronted The Very Human Challenge Of Mortality. A New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller The best-selling author of Smoke Gets in Your Eyes expands our sense of what it means to treat the dead with "dignity." Fascinated by our pervasive fear of dead bodies, mortician Caitlin Doughty set out to discover how other cultures care for the dead. From Here to Eternity is an immersive global journey that introduces compelling, powerful rituals almost entirely unknown in America. In rural Indonesia, she watches a man clean and dress his grandfather's mummified body, which has resided in the family home for two years. In La Paz, she meets Bolivian natitas (cigarette-smoking, wish-granting human skulls), and in Tokyo she encounters the Japanese kotsuage ceremony, in which relatives use chopsticks to pluck their loved-ones' bones from cremation ashes. With boundless curiosity and gallows humor, Doughty vividly describes decomposed bodies and investigates the world's funerary history. She introduces deathcare innovators researching body composting and green burial, and examines how varied traditions, from Mexico's D?as de los Muertos to Zoroastrian sky burial help us see our own death customs in a new light. Doughty contends that the American funeral industry sells a particular?and, upon close inspection, peculiar?set of "respectful" rites: bodies are whisked to a mortuary, pumped full of chemicals, and entombed in concrete. She argues that our expensive, impersonal system fosters a corrosive fear of death that hinders our ability to cope and mourn. By comparing customs, she demonstrates that mourners everywhere respond best when they help care for the deceased, and have space to participate in the process. Exquisitely illustrated by artist Landis Blair, From Here to Eternity is an adventure into the morbid unknown, a story about the many fascinating ways people everywhere have confronted the very human challenge of mortality A New York Times and Los Angeles Times Bestseller “Doughty chronicles [death] practices with tenderheartedness, a technician’s fascination, and an unsentimental respect for grief.” —Jill Lepore, The New Yorker Fascinated by our pervasive fear of dead bodies, mortician Caitlin Doughty embarks on a global expedition to discover how other cultures care for the dead. From Zoroastrian sky burials to wish-granting Bolivian skulls, she investigates the world’s funerary customs and expands our sense of what it means to treat the dead with dignity. Her account questions the rituals of the American funeral industry—especially chemical embalming—and suggests that the most effective traditions are those that allow mourners to personally attend to the body of the deceased. Exquisitely illustrated by artist Landis Blair, From Here to Eternity is an adventure into the morbid unknown, a fascinating tour through the unique ways people everywhere confront mortality. Fascinated by our pervasive fear of dead bodies, mortician Caitlin Doughty embarks on a global expedition to discover how other cultures care for the dead. From Zoroastrian sky burials to wish-granting Bolivian skulls, she investigates the world’s funerary customs and expands our sense of what it means to treat the dead with dignity. Her account questions the rituals of the American funeral industry—especially chemical embalming—and suggests that the most effective traditions are those that allow mourners to personally attend to the body of the deceased. Exquisitely illustrated by artist Landis Blair, From Here to Eternity is an adventure into the morbid unknown, a fascinating tour through the unique ways people everywhere confront mortality. ([source][1]) [1]: http://caitlindoughty.com/books/from-here-to-eternity