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Irvin D. Yalom
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Staring At The Sun: Being at peace with your own mortality Paperback – 3 Sept. 2020

by Irvin Yalom (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,775 ratings
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Each person fears death in their own way. Despite turning to the comforts of children, or wealth, or belief in a higher power, death anxiety is never completely subdued: it is always there, lurking in the hidden ravines of our minds.

In STARING AT THE SUN, master psychotherapist Irvin D. Yalom faces his own fear of death and examines its role in many patients' fears, stresses and depression. With characteristic wisdom and illuminating case histories, he shows how confronting and coping with death allows us to live in a richer, more compassionate way.

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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Piatkus
  4. Publication date
    3 Sept. 2020
  5. Dimensions
    19.6 x 2.3 x 12.8 cm
  6. ISBN-10
    0349426074
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0349426075
  8. See all details
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  1. What can you do now in your life so that one year or five years from now, you won’t look back and have similar dismay about the new regrets you’ve accumulated? In other words, can you find a way to live without continuing to accumulate regrets?
    Highlighted by 603 Kindle readers
  2. No positive change can occur in your life as long as you cling to the thought that the reason for your not living well lies outside yourself.
    Highlighted by 576 Kindle readers
  3. The way to value life, the way to feel compassion for others, the way to love anything with greatest depth is to be aware that these experiences are destined to be lost.
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Product description

Review

[Yalom is] an amazing storyteller, a gorgeous writer, a great, generous, compassionate thinker and - quite rightly - one of the world's most influential mental healthcare practitioners ― GUARDIAN

The idea that the anxiety of facing death can prompt an awakening to life strikes a powerful chord ― THE BOOKSELLER

Yalom writes like an angel about the devils that besiege us

Unlike many psychotherapists, Yalom writes like a dream ― OXFORD TIMES

The idea that the anxiety of facing death can prompt an awakening to life strikes a powerful chord ― BOOKSELLER

Book Description

A new edition of a wise and timeless exploration of death by the bestselling author of THE GIFT OF THERAPY and LOVE'S EXECUTIONER

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Piatkus (3 Sept. 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0349426074
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0349426075
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 19.6 x 2.3 x 12.8 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 1,775 ratings

About the author

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Irvin D. Yalom

Irvin D. Yalom

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Professor of Psychiatry at Stanford University. Author of nonfiction psychiatry texts, novels, and books of stories. Currently in private practice of psychiatry in Palo Alto and San Francisco, California.

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4.5 out of 5 stars
1,775 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thought-provoking and enlightening. They describe it as interesting, accessible, and useful. The writing style is described as eloquent and simple. Readers appreciate the author's compassion and empathy.

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Thought provokingReadabilityWriting styleCompassion
72 customers mention ‘Thought provoking’72 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking and enlightening. They say it helps them reflect on issues relevant to working with people at the end of their lives. The book provides insights into dealing with death anxiety and gives a preparation for their own mortality.

"...Firstly Yalom's willingness to be deeply honest, personal and authetic with his clients, rather than taking a god-like position assuming his own..." Read more

"...Written in a conversational style, it confronts the problem of death head on, and offers various ideas..." Read more

"I found this book so gentle and enlightening after my husband’s death...." Read more

"A must read book. As a therapist but also as a client can give you great insights about what really matters for you." Read more

58 customers mention ‘Readability’55 positive3 negative

Customers find the book accessible and engaging. They say it's useful for therapists and counsellors. The book is described as remarkable and a must-read.

"I very much value this book, where 'existentialist humanist' psychotherapist Yalom explores the belief that it is the awareness of our own mortality..." Read more

"Loved this book" Read more

"A must read book. As a therapist but also as a client can give you great insights about what really matters for you." Read more

"...He makes a good living from it anyway!! It is an interesting read to see exactly what fears people have about death and how it affects their..." Read more

37 customers mention ‘Writing style’32 positive5 negative

Customers find the writing style eloquent and simple. They say it's readable, engaging, and easy to understand. The author is able to communicate ideas clearly and with coherence. They appreciate the simple message to live for today and plan for a long happy life.

"...He is also a humane, warm and tender writer, able to communicate ideas with coherence and with clarity...." Read more

"...Written in a conversational style, it confronts the problem of death head on, and offers various ideas..." Read more

"...and engaging a man or his book to say that it is a beautifully attractive whistle-stop tour of what both ancient thinkers such as Epicurus..." Read more

"...The message is simple - live for today, plan to live a long happy life, understand what the people you knew (who have died) did for you and the..." Read more

20 customers mention ‘Compassion’17 positive3 negative

Customers appreciate the author's compassion and empathy. They find the book comforting, emotional, and intellectual. The author is described as honest, warm, and tender.

"...In other words, Yalom can work with paradox. He is also a humane, warm and tender writer, able to communicate ideas with coherence and..." Read more

"...It doesn’t pretend to solve death, but it has a good go at lessening the fear of it." Read more

"...this book highly enough - a lovely, lyrical and at times highly personal meditation from a true humanist." Read more

"I found this book so gentle and enlightening after my husband’s death...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Lady Fancifull
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compassion in action
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 June 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I very much value this book, where 'existentialist humanist' psychotherapist Yalom explores the belief that it is the awareness of our own mortality, and the mortality of all around us, which is at the root of much of our deepest insecurities and anxieties. It is this which he looks to explore rather than the more day to day, personality based concerns which may be brought to the therapeutic encounter.

    Two major strands which I found intensely moving in this book. Firstly Yalom's willingness to be deeply honest, personal and authetic with his clients, rather than taking a god-like position assuming his own rightness. This leads to his willingness to share of himself with clients. This is something which can be seen as a bit of a no-no, in some schools, as of course the session is for and about the client, not the therapist, although of course the relationship between the two is crucial. However, if in therapy the client is always the one who is vulnerable, and the therapist never, it could be said there is an inauthenticity going on. Yalom is willing - WHERE THIS WILL BE OF USE FOR THE CLIENT - to reveal his own messy humanity. Willing to admit his wrongness. Willing to admit his difference and the client's difference.

    Secondly, and carrying on from the last sentence - I was particularly moved by his recounting of sessions with someone who had strong, what Yalom terms - 'paranormal beliefs' Yalom is an atheist, and expresses his disbelief in what might be thought 'New Age' thinking. Through his recognition and respect for the human being in his treatment room, he was able to acknowledge that the client's beliefs were not ones he could share, but deeply recognise the health, not just the pathology, that caused his client to hold those beliefs. In other words, Yalom can work with paradox.

    He is also a humane, warm and tender writer, able to communicate ideas with coherence and with clarity. The book feels like someone having a conversation with you, not someone preaching at you
    38 people found this helpful
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  • Vishal Raghuvanshi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very insightful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 January 2025
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    Loved this book
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  • Bobbie
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book to read if death is on your mind
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 November 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A psychotherapist explores how knowledge of our mortality affects us, and how to combat death anxiety. I can’t remember why, months ago, I added this to my TBR pile – maybe because the hero of the novel I’m writing has a near-death experience that triggers him to change his life radically. It happened to rise to the top of the pile just after a very dear old friend of mine died, and I have been needing to grieve him, so it was exactly the book I needed. Written in a conversational style, it confronts the problem of death head on, and offers various ideas (from Epicurus’ worry and partial answers to the 70-year-old author’s own worries and partial answers) for lessening its oppression on us. It doesn’t pretend to solve death, but it has a good go at lessening the fear of it.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • S. J. Payne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Profound, humane and rewarding
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2008
    Verified Purchase
    One irritated quibble out of the way: a previous reviewer said that as a Christian he "knows" that death is not the end. I can only assume that this is the sort of parapraxis all too frequently encountered in the religious who actually mean to write "believe" and mistakenly write "know." Some people, for reasons best known to themselves, believe that death is not the end of personal consciousness, which is entirely their right: they do not know as much, however much the religionist likes to conflate these two entirely different and separate concepts.

    Anyway. Yalom's latest book is a delight - much as one would expect from so engaging a writer of both fiction and non-fiction. Trying to tackle the human existential terror of annihilation is a tall order for even the most ably qualified of people, but Yalom, as an existential therapist with nearly half a century of experience, is superbly placed. This is not necessarily to say that Yalom could succeed or has succeeded where innumerable philosophers past and present have failed (in reconciling the human existent to the end of life and consciousness): but it is no disservice to so wise and engaging a man or his book to say that it is a beautifully attractive whistle-stop tour of what both ancient thinkers such as Epicurus (something of a hero to Yalom, as well he might be) and contemporary psychotherapy can do to speak to the human condition vis a vis death - finite and mortal creatures, we all have to face up in one way or another, reality-based or not, to the end of our individual lives and those things which we have created within those lives.

    Contrary to what the previous reviewer may think, countless people outside his own atypically religious society and culture do indeed face up to the end of life (their own and that of others) without the dubious alleged 'benefits' of death-denying religious stories. Yalom, as an existential psychotherapist, reminds us not just how but more importantly why such an effort is made. One might say that the entire book is in a sense an expansion of the famous remark of Bertrand Russell, paraphrased roughly as saying that looking hard reality square in the face may be chilly at first, but ultimately becomes bracing. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - a lovely, lyrical and at times highly personal meditation from a true humanist.
    60 people found this helpful
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  • Maura Preece
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gave me insight after my husband’s death.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 October 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book so gentle and enlightening after my husband’s death. I just needed to reflect on my own mortality and support others during subsequent discussions about death and loss. This particular copy was bought for a young friend whom I hoped would find it useful. It’s all about timing when you come across a book, it’s whether it resonates and you have the energy to read it.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Jeremy Foint
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love This Book!
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I rarely leave reviews, but I felt compelled to write one for this product because it has truly impressed me. From the moment it arrived, I could tell it was well-made and of high quality. The packaging was secure, and everything was neatly arranged, which was a great start.

    What really stood out to me was how easy it was to use. Whether you're familiar with products like this or it's your first time, you'll have no problem figuring it out. The setup was quick, and it worked exactly as described. I’ve been using it consistently since it arrived, and it hasn’t let me down once.

    The performance is outstanding. It delivers exactly what you need and more. One thing I particularly appreciate is how reliable and efficient it is. It has quickly become something I reach for regularly, and I can already tell it’s built to last.

    Durability is another major plus. It feels sturdy and well-constructed, so I have no concerns about it holding up over time. I’ve accidentally put it to the test a couple of times, and it has proven to be tough and long-lasting.

    For the price, I couldn’t ask for more. I’ve seen similar products that cost much more but don’t offer the same level of performance or reliability. This one strikes the perfect balance between affordability and quality.

    Customer service has also been top-notch. The company clearly stands behind their product and is available to answer any questions you might have. It’s always great to know there’s support available if you need it.

    In conclusion, I’m extremely happy with this purchase. It has exceeded my expectations in every way, and I can confidently recommend it to anyone. Whether you’re looking for something practical, reliable, or just a great value, this product is the perfect choice. I’m sure it will serve you well for a long time.
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  • MR LUKE A HAMILTON
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book.
    Reviewed in Spain on 28 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Existentialism written in a straight forward way without lots of complicated language.
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  • shvk
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best death anxiety book
    Reviewed in Canada on 13 January 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Such a good book for those with death anxiety. Highly recommend!
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  • Mónica Vega Mejía
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent Book oon a tough subject
    Reviewed in Mexico on 5 April 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I am a thanathologist and therapist and I think this book is the only one written with such depth and realism. I recommmend it to everyone facing death.
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  • Isabelle
    5.0 out of 5 stars life-changing
    Reviewed in France on 26 March 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This book taught me about the "rippling effect" and as a consequence I live my life more in the present. Thinking about death as a way of making you appreciate the present moment and feel gratitude or make changes to ensure you place your priorities first are the main messages I came up with after reading this beautiful book.
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