--- product_id: 39970385 title: "Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End" price: "VT14549" currency: VUV in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.vu/products/39970385-being-mortal-illness-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end store_origin: VU region: Vanuatu --- # Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End **Price:** VT14549 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End - **How much does it cost?** VT14549 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.vu](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/39970385-being-mortal-illness-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description desertcart.com: Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End: 9781781253946: Atul Gawande: Books Review: Keep an open mind. - A must read for seniors. Review: Everyone alive should read this - including doctors. - Anyone who has ever had to care for and manage the end of life treatment of a loved one or relative will appreciate this book and wish they had read it before experiencing the numerous medical, emotional and financial crises and issues that always arise. Doctors and health care professionals could also benefit greatly from the perspective in this book; that sometimes quality of life as defined by the patient is the most important factor, not prolonging life at any cost. Dr. Gawande reviews the history of care for the sick and aging from time when most people lived in multi-generational households to the present day when assisted living, nursing homes and hospice prevail. He tells the stories of several patients and their families dealing with terminal illness, including his own father, also a physician. Through these stories he examines questions such as: How much treatment is too much? What and how much information should doctors give patients about their conditions? Should patients just be given information about various treatment options and be allowed to decide on their own or should doctors take a more proactive role in guiding the patient? Can we evolve away from a medical model where extending life is paramount toward a more holistic approach driven by how the dying want to spend their remaining time? Many people understandably do not want to think about these questions until it is too difficult to actually make the best decision. I read this after I read "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?" by Roz Chast which is an up close and personal graphic memoir of an adult child facing the end of life issues of her elderly parents. The two books make good companion pieces on this topic. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #133,537 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (441) | | Dimensions | 5.08 x 0.87 x 8.35 inches | | ISBN-10 | 1781253943 | | ISBN-13 | 978-1781253946 | | Item Weight | 12.1 ounces | | Language | English | | Print length | 288 pages | | Publication date | January 1, 2014 | | Publisher | Profile Books Ltd | ## Images ![Being Mortal Illness, Medicine, and What Matters in the End - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81lKYnfLpGL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Keep an open mind. *by J***. on November 15, 2025* A must read for seniors. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Everyone alive should read this - including doctors. *by T***Y on February 15, 2015* Anyone who has ever had to care for and manage the end of life treatment of a loved one or relative will appreciate this book and wish they had read it before experiencing the numerous medical, emotional and financial crises and issues that always arise. Doctors and health care professionals could also benefit greatly from the perspective in this book; that sometimes quality of life as defined by the patient is the most important factor, not prolonging life at any cost. Dr. Gawande reviews the history of care for the sick and aging from time when most people lived in multi-generational households to the present day when assisted living, nursing homes and hospice prevail. He tells the stories of several patients and their families dealing with terminal illness, including his own father, also a physician. Through these stories he examines questions such as: How much treatment is too much? What and how much information should doctors give patients about their conditions? Should patients just be given information about various treatment options and be allowed to decide on their own or should doctors take a more proactive role in guiding the patient? Can we evolve away from a medical model where extending life is paramount toward a more holistic approach driven by how the dying want to spend their remaining time? Many people understandably do not want to think about these questions until it is too difficult to actually make the best decision. I read this after I read "Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?" by Roz Chast which is an up close and personal graphic memoir of an adult child facing the end of life issues of her elderly parents. The two books make good companion pieces on this topic. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Future days for seniors *by K***S on August 25, 2025* Well written, informative for all who are entering senior years of their life. IMHO a must-read. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.vu/products/39970385-being-mortal-illness-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end](https://www.desertcart.vu/products/39970385-being-mortal-illness-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end) --- *Product available on Desertcart Vanuatu* *Store origin: VU* *Last updated: 2026-05-05*