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Shaking Hands with Death
Why we all deserve a life worth living and a death worth dying for
‘Most men don’t fear death. They fear those things � the knife, the shipwreck, the illness, the bomb � which precede, by microseconds if you’re lucky, and many years if you’re not, the moment of death.�
When Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his fifties he was angry - not with death but with the disease that would take him there, and with the suffering disease can cause when we are not allowed to put an end to it. In this essay, broadcast to millions as the BBC Richard Dimblebly Lecture 2010 and previously only available as part of A Slip of the Keyboard, he argues for our right to choose - our right to a good life, and a good death too.
‘Most men don’t fear death. They fear those things � the knife, the shipwreck, the illness, the bomb � which precede, by microseconds if you’re lucky, and many years if you’re not, the moment of death.�
When Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his fifties he was angry - not with death but with the disease that would take him there, and with the suffering disease can cause when we are not allowed to put an end to it. In this essay, broadcast to millions as the BBC Richard Dimblebly Lecture 2010 and previously only available as part of A Slip of the Keyboard, he argues for our right to choose - our right to a good life, and a good death too.
64 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2015
21 people are currently reading
1,798 people want to read
About the author
Terry Pratchett
620books44.9kfollowersSir Terence David John Pratchett was an English author, humorist, and satirist, best known for the Discworld series of 41 comic fantasy novels published between 1983�2015, and for the apocalyptic comedy novel Good Omens (1990), which he co-wrote with Neil Gaiman.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
Pratchett's first novel, The Carpet People, was published in 1971. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983, after which Pratchett wrote an average of two books a year. The final Discworld novel, The Shepherd's Crown, was published in August 2015, five months after his death.
With more than 100 million books sold worldwide in 43 languages, Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1998 and was knighted for services to literature in the 2009 New Year Honours. In 2001 he won the annual Carnegie Medal for The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, the first Discworld book marketed for children. He received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 2010.
In December 2007 Pratchett announced that he had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. He later made a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust (now Alzheimer's Research UK, ARUK), filmed three television programmes chronicling his experiences with the condition for the BBC, and became a patron of ARUK. Pratchett died on 12 March 2015, at the age of 66.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
October 13, 2018
Whenever I see Sir Terry Pratchett's novels in bookstores, I will stop and grope them for a while. 9 times out of 10 I already own the book (possibly with a different cover), but I can't help it. What if my copy got misplaced in the meantime?
had been on my wishlist for ages. So as soon as I saw it, I all but pounced on it. Couldn't risk some other fan finding his/her way to this exact table. Should anyone wish for a dubiously embellished retelling of the events, feel free to ply my BFF with quality coffee.
As for the book, it's a tragic glimpse into the life of people diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (a rare variation of Alzheimer's): no known cure, increasing pain, and an ever-growing list of hacks to help patients navigate their daily life. To add insult to injury, patients don't even get to die on their own terms. This is where this essay comes in, to try and explain why calling the patients' request for dignity should not be labelled "assisted suicide", and provide a legal option for it.
All very heart-breaking stuff, but told in a very matter of fact tone if you ask me, even if Pratchett had intended for it to be a raging scream. I guess I just view raging screams as illogical mumbo-jumbo, while this essay is a very well documented, logical plea for... leniency, I guess.
And yet, the part that most impressed me wasn't Sir Terry Pratchett's painful detailing of his illness, but the introduction written by Rob Wilkins. His matter-of-fact description of the author's writing process with the aid of voice recognition software, which nevertheless couldn't handle the needs of this essay's tone, just left me speechless. Add to this, the fact that Pratchett's illness prevented him of personally reading his own speech... I wanted to cry. I seriously had to cry. But I couldn't. Nor could I stop reading.
Score: 4/5 stars
I realized that the essay has also been included in the non-fiction short story collection , a book I had previously bought. Rob Wilkins' introduction is not included however. Even if said short story collection costs a mere 10% more, and contains at least 20 other short stories... Getting this little booklet was worth it. Or so I keep telling myself.
But for real now, it's a must read for all fans of the author.
had been on my wishlist for ages. So as soon as I saw it, I all but pounced on it. Couldn't risk some other fan finding his/her way to this exact table. Should anyone wish for a dubiously embellished retelling of the events, feel free to ply my BFF with quality coffee.
As for the book, it's a tragic glimpse into the life of people diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy (a rare variation of Alzheimer's): no known cure, increasing pain, and an ever-growing list of hacks to help patients navigate their daily life. To add insult to injury, patients don't even get to die on their own terms. This is where this essay comes in, to try and explain why calling the patients' request for dignity should not be labelled "assisted suicide", and provide a legal option for it.
All very heart-breaking stuff, but told in a very matter of fact tone if you ask me, even if Pratchett had intended for it to be a raging scream. I guess I just view raging screams as illogical mumbo-jumbo, while this essay is a very well documented, logical plea for... leniency, I guess.
And yet, the part that most impressed me wasn't Sir Terry Pratchett's painful detailing of his illness, but the introduction written by Rob Wilkins. His matter-of-fact description of the author's writing process with the aid of voice recognition software, which nevertheless couldn't handle the needs of this essay's tone, just left me speechless. Add to this, the fact that Pratchett's illness prevented him of personally reading his own speech... I wanted to cry. I seriously had to cry. But I couldn't. Nor could I stop reading.
Score: 4/5 stars
I realized that the essay has also been included in the non-fiction short story collection , a book I had previously bought. Rob Wilkins' introduction is not included however. Even if said short story collection costs a mere 10% more, and contains at least 20 other short stories... Getting this little booklet was worth it. Or so I keep telling myself.
But for real now, it's a must read for all fans of the author.
October 2, 2020
In 2007, Terry Pratchett - one of the most formidable, sharp and beautiful minds in the literary world - was diagnosed with a form of early-onset Alzheimer's disease. That it had to be this of all diseases still breaks my heart as much as his actual death in 2015.
In 2009, he was approached by the Dimbleby family and asked if he could deliver their next annual televised lecture. Filled with rage at the diagnosis, the unfairness of the world and at the propsect of living only about 2 more years and that in one of the most horrid conditions (it's what the doctors told him), he began writing as if possessed. He never thought he would actually be allowed to read this lecture on television but he was wrong. The BBC even gave him his own 2-part documentary about assisted dying!
He was disgusted and frustrated about end-of-life care in most countries (as well as the legal situation should you try and get around your own country's regulations by dying in, say, The Netherlands).
As am I.
I mean, most humans consider themselves above animals (which is ridiculous but bear with me) and yet we grant them a simple shot in order to spare them more pain and indignity while we won't grant the same mercy to our fellow humans? That is sick (and don't get me started about the insult of thinking people will believe the so-called risks that so far prevented legislation from being changed)!
Anyway, this book is Sir Terry's lecture and I recommend you go read it and then watch the documentary because both are fantastic. Many aren't aware of the situation, many lucky ones have never come into contact with an undignified end-of-life.
I have, several times.
We need to raise awareness. We need to start talking about these issues and we need to finally implement change. For us, for our loved ones, for everybody.
Before you can kill the monster you have to say its name.
November 23, 2015
Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with posterior cortical atrophy, a rare strain of Alzheimer’s disease, in 2007. The illness shrinks and shrivels areas at the back of the brain. In his humorous way, Pratchett labelled his illness “the embuggerance� but it was a very serious threat to his life.
In Shaking Hands with Death, a transcript of his speech for the Richard Dimbleby Lecture, Pratchett addresses, and argues for, assisted death, particularly as he didn’t want to become hooked up to machines in a state of living death and wanted to die still himself.
It’s a clearly articulated and reasonable, convincing argument for a humanist approach to death, a moving speech made all the more powerful for not being sentimental or schmaltzy in the least. It’s also an angry swipe at the British healthcare system/the Health and Safety Executive which takes choice out of the patient’s hands and into those who seek to prolong life even if the patient exists in only the technical sense of “living�.
Pratchett being Pratchett, he can’t help but be amusing even when he’s deadly solemn and his “nostalgia� for the Victorian doctors who’d cheerfully euthanize patients who wanted it, made me smile.
Assisted death is an important issue though and the case for it that Pratchett outlines here brings home its relevance to many sufferers of Alzheimer’s, and their families. Death � like life � is sacred too. And so is dignity.
Terry Pratchett died a natural death due to his illness in his home surrounded by his family in March this year. I hope that, once the life left him, he heard a voice to his side say: HELLO, SIR TERRY. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY.
(This essay/speech is also included in the non-fiction collection A Slip of the Keyboard)
In Shaking Hands with Death, a transcript of his speech for the Richard Dimbleby Lecture, Pratchett addresses, and argues for, assisted death, particularly as he didn’t want to become hooked up to machines in a state of living death and wanted to die still himself.
It’s a clearly articulated and reasonable, convincing argument for a humanist approach to death, a moving speech made all the more powerful for not being sentimental or schmaltzy in the least. It’s also an angry swipe at the British healthcare system/the Health and Safety Executive which takes choice out of the patient’s hands and into those who seek to prolong life even if the patient exists in only the technical sense of “living�.
Pratchett being Pratchett, he can’t help but be amusing even when he’s deadly solemn and his “nostalgia� for the Victorian doctors who’d cheerfully euthanize patients who wanted it, made me smile.
Assisted death is an important issue though and the case for it that Pratchett outlines here brings home its relevance to many sufferers of Alzheimer’s, and their families. Death � like life � is sacred too. And so is dignity.
Terry Pratchett died a natural death due to his illness in his home surrounded by his family in March this year. I hope that, once the life left him, he heard a voice to his side say: HELLO, SIR TERRY. I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY.
(This essay/speech is also included in the non-fiction collection A Slip of the Keyboard)
December 1, 2015
This is a lecture which was given by Terry Pratchett before he died talking about Assisted Death and his process of dealing with Alzheimer's. I will preface this by saying that this is non-fiction and so if you're interested in Pratchett for his books and stories only then you probably won't get a lot from this, because it makes small mention of Discworld, but of course he does include some mentions in reference to how his Alzheimer's has affected his ability to write and create the Discworld books.
For me the best thing about this was that my personal beliefs surrounding Assisted Death are the same as Pratchett's and hearing him talk about why he believes in the idea of Assisted Death and why it should be a viable option for people with degenerative, incurable diseases made perfect sense to me. I also have to say that it's all the more poignant as of course Pratchett died earlier this year and so there's a bittersweetness to discovering this lecture after his death.
I admire Pratchett greatly not only for his work as a writer but also for his campaigning for a better end to life and I think this tiny book summed up his thoughts superbly. Definitely something to pick up if any of what I have said interests you, but not if you just want fiction. Overall a 5*s from me :)
For me the best thing about this was that my personal beliefs surrounding Assisted Death are the same as Pratchett's and hearing him talk about why he believes in the idea of Assisted Death and why it should be a viable option for people with degenerative, incurable diseases made perfect sense to me. I also have to say that it's all the more poignant as of course Pratchett died earlier this year and so there's a bittersweetness to discovering this lecture after his death.
I admire Pratchett greatly not only for his work as a writer but also for his campaigning for a better end to life and I think this tiny book summed up his thoughts superbly. Definitely something to pick up if any of what I have said interests you, but not if you just want fiction. Overall a 5*s from me :)
August 25, 2015
This is a print of Terry's 2010 Dimbleby lecture where he talks about his diagnosis with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a form of Alzheimer's that hits far earlier than the other forms. Terry vocalises his frustration at the disease and what (at the time) it was going to do to him and his loved ones. But most of all this is a passionate, intelligent and typically Pratchett tirade at a system that seems determined to take away every last bit of dignity and respect a person has, tying them to machines and squeezing that last blip of a heartbeat from every individual rather than permitting them the option of a dignified, peaceful death where and when they want. Terry provides a well balanced argument for allowing such an approach and provides plenty of examples where it has, does and continues to work. Whether you agree with him or not, this is worth reading as it is one of the best arguments for choosing to shake hands with death I have read, seen or heard. It abodes the humanity of the debate without deliberately pulling on heartstrings or shocking you into sympathy.
July 28, 2018
*schnief 😥
October 7, 2022
An important and moving speech from Terry Pratchett. I just have one slight disagreement and one slight caveat.
The disagreement: Terry proposes the idea of a tribunal to examine in detail each case for assisted dying. That in itself I have no problem with, but he suggests that the members of this tribunal should all be age 45 or older, in order to ensure that they've accrued some wisdom. I think the notion that with age comes wisdom has so many readily available counter-examples that I needn't say much more, but I will add, for emphasis, that in fact the very opposite can often be true. If the wrong ideological seed is allowed to be planted into a person sufficiently early, they can spend the rest of their lives voluntarily making themselves less wise as time goes on. The best candidate for fooling an intelligent person is themselves.
The caveat: his focus, understandably, is on Alzheimer's and similar diseases. The case for assisted death regarding what we consider more 'physical' ailments (although they all are, really) is relatively straightforward. While he doesn't explicitly mention the more 'mental' ones, he does briefly touch on cases where a person might be in a state of mind to wish to die but as time passes find that need to have been based on 'transient or trivial' feelings. This is true. But: I think it's important to draw a distinction between acute, passing suicidal feelings and a carefully considered, rational response to long-term, severe depression that has resisted treatment. The latter case should be eligible for scrutiny by the hypothetical tribunal, in my opinion.
The disagreement: Terry proposes the idea of a tribunal to examine in detail each case for assisted dying. That in itself I have no problem with, but he suggests that the members of this tribunal should all be age 45 or older, in order to ensure that they've accrued some wisdom. I think the notion that with age comes wisdom has so many readily available counter-examples that I needn't say much more, but I will add, for emphasis, that in fact the very opposite can often be true. If the wrong ideological seed is allowed to be planted into a person sufficiently early, they can spend the rest of their lives voluntarily making themselves less wise as time goes on. The best candidate for fooling an intelligent person is themselves.
The caveat: his focus, understandably, is on Alzheimer's and similar diseases. The case for assisted death regarding what we consider more 'physical' ailments (although they all are, really) is relatively straightforward. While he doesn't explicitly mention the more 'mental' ones, he does briefly touch on cases where a person might be in a state of mind to wish to die but as time passes find that need to have been based on 'transient or trivial' feelings. This is true. But: I think it's important to draw a distinction between acute, passing suicidal feelings and a carefully considered, rational response to long-term, severe depression that has resisted treatment. The latter case should be eligible for scrutiny by the hypothetical tribunal, in my opinion.
January 5, 2016
Thanks to Sam and Sam Quixote for reviews that led me to get this little book that includes a talk that millions heard as the BBC Richard Dimblebly Lecture of 2010. In it, the beloved humorist (Discworld) Pratchett argues for our the right to assisted suicide, for the right to a humane life and death. For dignity. He's angry, and uses the opportunity for activism.
Pratchett wrote dozens of book in his somewhat shortened life, and some kept coming out, too, after he was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a form of Alzheimers that comes earlier and more aggressively.
I found it quite moving, and an extension of the central focus of his life work, on the need for a reasonably humane existence in the face of faceless bureaucracies and meanness and absurdity.
Pratchett wrote dozens of book in his somewhat shortened life, and some kept coming out, too, after he was diagnosed with Posterior Cortical Atrophy, a form of Alzheimers that comes earlier and more aggressively.
I found it quite moving, and an extension of the central focus of his life work, on the need for a reasonably humane existence in the face of faceless bureaucracies and meanness and absurdity.
September 1, 2015
This short book contains an essay based very closely on a speech Terry Pratchett gave, with the help of Tony Robinson, about assisted dying and, more widely, the end of life, autonomy, and dying in the way you choose. It’s a subject pretty close to my heart, as it’s always been a subject I felt was important to debate about, and all my family are aware of my wishes if I can’t make decisions for myself anymore.
The problem is that gap where you can make the decision, but you need help to carry it through successfully. It’s not just a passing whim or a cry for help: it’s a genuine feeling that to end it now would be wise, and that there’s no hope of going anywhere but downhill; not a decision based solely on mood, obviously, but one which takes into account medical realities. I think people should be able to make that choice and, having settled things the way they need to, follow through. I have always maintained that I would rather a friend or family member die suddenly than slowly decline, particularly when that decline includes a loss of mental function. Were a family member of mine to ask me, I’d strongly consider agreeing to help them. I’d have no ethical objections, as long as they had capacity at the point of making the decision.
So I’ve always been strongly in support of Pratchett’s decisions around this, and his campaign for a change in the law. Given that, I’m not sure the extent to which someone else would find Pratchett’s arguments convincing. Still, I thought his arguments were clear and direct, without sentimentality but with feeling. I teared up a couple of times, reading this, and had the strong urge to find and hand my mother a copy so we could talk about it.
The problem is that gap where you can make the decision, but you need help to carry it through successfully. It’s not just a passing whim or a cry for help: it’s a genuine feeling that to end it now would be wise, and that there’s no hope of going anywhere but downhill; not a decision based solely on mood, obviously, but one which takes into account medical realities. I think people should be able to make that choice and, having settled things the way they need to, follow through. I have always maintained that I would rather a friend or family member die suddenly than slowly decline, particularly when that decline includes a loss of mental function. Were a family member of mine to ask me, I’d strongly consider agreeing to help them. I’d have no ethical objections, as long as they had capacity at the point of making the decision.
So I’ve always been strongly in support of Pratchett’s decisions around this, and his campaign for a change in the law. Given that, I’m not sure the extent to which someone else would find Pratchett’s arguments convincing. Still, I thought his arguments were clear and direct, without sentimentality but with feeling. I teared up a couple of times, reading this, and had the strong urge to find and hand my mother a copy so we could talk about it.
April 19, 2023
This is effectively a transcript of the Dimbleby lecture given by Pratchett, laying down his views on his own situation and the process of assisted dying. Impassioned, thoughtful and very moving. It is very hard to disagree with the vast majority of his points here and the accompanying introduction from Rob (Terry's PA and typist in his later years) is very moving. A recommended short read to get people thinking.
May 15, 2022
ones again.. inspired...
May 9, 2016
This little book is the text of the speech Pratchett prepared for the Dimbleby lecture in 2010. He used the opportunity to talk about Alzheimer's disease and 'the nature of our relationship with death'.
He describes the first symptoms that all was not well (mostly visual initially), his anger at the diagnosis and lack of treatment options, then his decision to tell everybody what was happening to him , followed by an avalanche of correspondence from people who wanted to talk to him about their experiences, and increasingly about wanting to make choices about living and dying.
He campaigned strongly for 'assisted dying... the process of having one's life ended by gentle medical means.... It seems to me quite a reasonable and sensible decision, for someone with a serious, incurable and debilitating disease to elect for a medically assisted death by appointment.'
I'm with him all the way.
He describes the first symptoms that all was not well (mostly visual initially), his anger at the diagnosis and lack of treatment options, then his decision to tell everybody what was happening to him , followed by an avalanche of correspondence from people who wanted to talk to him about their experiences, and increasingly about wanting to make choices about living and dying.
He campaigned strongly for 'assisted dying... the process of having one's life ended by gentle medical means.... It seems to me quite a reasonable and sensible decision, for someone with a serious, incurable and debilitating disease to elect for a medically assisted death by appointment.'
I'm with him all the way.
March 22, 2017
B.R.A.CE. 2017 ένα βιβλίο βασισμένο σε ιατρικό θέμα
Οι σκέψεις ενός ανθρώπου που έχει διαγνωστεί με μια ανίατη αρρώστια και ζητάει το δικαίωμα στην υποβοηθούμενη ευθανασία για να μπορέσει να διατηρήσει την αξιοπρέπεια του και τον εαυτό του. Ένα κείμενο δοσμένο με τον αριστοτεχνικό λόγο του Terry Pratchet <3 , ένα κείμενο που αξίζει.
Οι σκέψεις ενός ανθρώπου που έχει διαγνωστεί με μια ανίατη αρρώστια και ζητάει το δικαίωμα στην υποβοηθούμενη ευθανασία για να μπορέσει να διατηρήσει την αξιοπρέπεια του και τον εαυτό του. Ένα κείμενο δοσμένο με τον αριστοτεχνικό λόγο του Terry Pratchet <3 , ένα κείμενο που αξίζει.
May 3, 2019
I completely agree with this take on assisted death and I'm totally crying about the fact that Terry died 5 years after this.
March 18, 2024
This is printed version of the Richard Dimbleby Lecture he gave in 2010 on his views on his diagnosis of a rare form of Alzheimer's. On the anger and frustration he felt on what it would inevitably do to him and what future he faced.
It addressed many thorny and often taboo topics such as assisted death and the right to have a "good death" as much as having a "good life". This is more than a book about the dark choices but more as much as pro life as it is pro death - rather it is about dignity and how that often gets lost in such emotive and impossible situations.
I guess really this brings to light a topic that we all shy away from - no one wants to admit that they are mortal. This is something that is faced head on in all its painful reality with the usual wit and wisdom that characterised Terry Pratchett. There were no answers present here nor where they any shocking truths - but rather a case of its about time these things were faced in to and light shone upon them.
Ironically it was the death of famous broadcaster Richard Dimbleby whose family started these lectures that brought cancer in to everyday life - which then help spur on all the progress and understanding it brought. It was Pratchett's hope the same can be achieved over Alzheimer's - and from one who has lost family to it I know all too well it cannot happen soon enough
It addressed many thorny and often taboo topics such as assisted death and the right to have a "good death" as much as having a "good life". This is more than a book about the dark choices but more as much as pro life as it is pro death - rather it is about dignity and how that often gets lost in such emotive and impossible situations.
I guess really this brings to light a topic that we all shy away from - no one wants to admit that they are mortal. This is something that is faced head on in all its painful reality with the usual wit and wisdom that characterised Terry Pratchett. There were no answers present here nor where they any shocking truths - but rather a case of its about time these things were faced in to and light shone upon them.
Ironically it was the death of famous broadcaster Richard Dimbleby whose family started these lectures that brought cancer in to everyday life - which then help spur on all the progress and understanding it brought. It was Pratchett's hope the same can be achieved over Alzheimer's - and from one who has lost family to it I know all too well it cannot happen soon enough
October 30, 2022
I have watched this lecture, given by Tony Robinson on behalf of Terry Pratchett, many times, and each time I am left pondering what he says for a while afterwards. Stumbling on a printed copy in a bookstore I didn't know existed felt very... Serendipitous? That feels like too serious a word, but it was a nice feeling.
Being able to read it and hear Terry Pratchett's voice is incredibly meaningful, but perhaps I am biased as I grew up with his novels.
Either through watching the lecture or reading Pratchett's words, he presents a powerful and emotional testament to assisted dying that is rooted in compassion, and I do believe everybody should take the time to hear it.
Being able to read it and hear Terry Pratchett's voice is incredibly meaningful, but perhaps I am biased as I grew up with his novels.
Either through watching the lecture or reading Pratchett's words, he presents a powerful and emotional testament to assisted dying that is rooted in compassion, and I do believe everybody should take the time to hear it.
July 11, 2016
Non credo che questo testo di Pratchett sia già stato tradotto in italiano, perciò mi permetto di spendere due righe a questo proposito nella mia lingua e non in quella del testo in questione.
Capite piuttosto bene l'inglese parlato? Molto bene, è tempo per voi di googlare il titolo di questo testo e di andare a vedere la lettura in questione, prendetevi del tempo per guardarlo e ascoltarlo, da soli o in compagnia, non importa. Si tratta di una delle cose più potenti che io abbia mai ascoltato e anche se in genere non sono una grande fan dei discorsi riportati su carta, vi basti sapere che a distanza di tempo da quella visione, sono tornata a quelle parole per rileggerle nero su bianco. Questo libriccino è stato uno dei più bei regali degli ultimi anni e indipendentemente dalla vostra visione sull'argomento credo che dovreste leggerlo/ascoltarlo e che potreste considerare voi stessi di passarlo ad altri. Queste sono parole che io ho avuto l'urgenza di condividere con il mio prossimo e che ora mi sento di condividere anche con voi. Io vi avviso anche se credo sia piuttosto evidente, è una cosa piuttosto intensa, ma è una di quelle cose che non si limita ad incontrare il mio gusto di senza-mezze-misure, è proprio qualcosa che credo possa essere intenso al punto giusto per ognuno di noi piccoli e cocciuti Homo sapiens. Prima si trattava di uno dei miei discorsi preferiti, ora posso legittimamente aggiungerlo a quei libri fuori scala che mi accompagnano giorno dopo giorno.
Io ho riso e ho pianto durante quella visione di tanto tempo fa e ora, anche con i 30 gradi che tentano di portarmi via la mia capacità di giudizio, ricordo quei momenti come se fosse ieri. Chiedo scusa se l'ho buttata sul personale, ma non ne ho potuto fare a meno. Ho appena terminato la lettura di questa versione cartacea e non voglio nemmeno sforzarmi di sembrare meno coinvolta di quanto non sia.
Intendo pubblicare un video sul mio canale di Youtube in cui parlerò anche di questa cosa, quando sarà pronto lo allegherò a questo commento. [Credo che il video in questione sia ormai disponibile anche sottotitolato in italiano, fate un tentativo su Youtube, potreste avere fortuna.]
Capite piuttosto bene l'inglese parlato? Molto bene, è tempo per voi di googlare il titolo di questo testo e di andare a vedere la lettura in questione, prendetevi del tempo per guardarlo e ascoltarlo, da soli o in compagnia, non importa. Si tratta di una delle cose più potenti che io abbia mai ascoltato e anche se in genere non sono una grande fan dei discorsi riportati su carta, vi basti sapere che a distanza di tempo da quella visione, sono tornata a quelle parole per rileggerle nero su bianco. Questo libriccino è stato uno dei più bei regali degli ultimi anni e indipendentemente dalla vostra visione sull'argomento credo che dovreste leggerlo/ascoltarlo e che potreste considerare voi stessi di passarlo ad altri. Queste sono parole che io ho avuto l'urgenza di condividere con il mio prossimo e che ora mi sento di condividere anche con voi. Io vi avviso anche se credo sia piuttosto evidente, è una cosa piuttosto intensa, ma è una di quelle cose che non si limita ad incontrare il mio gusto di senza-mezze-misure, è proprio qualcosa che credo possa essere intenso al punto giusto per ognuno di noi piccoli e cocciuti Homo sapiens. Prima si trattava di uno dei miei discorsi preferiti, ora posso legittimamente aggiungerlo a quei libri fuori scala che mi accompagnano giorno dopo giorno.
Io ho riso e ho pianto durante quella visione di tanto tempo fa e ora, anche con i 30 gradi che tentano di portarmi via la mia capacità di giudizio, ricordo quei momenti come se fosse ieri. Chiedo scusa se l'ho buttata sul personale, ma non ne ho potuto fare a meno. Ho appena terminato la lettura di questa versione cartacea e non voglio nemmeno sforzarmi di sembrare meno coinvolta di quanto non sia.
Intendo pubblicare un video sul mio canale di Youtube in cui parlerò anche di questa cosa, quando sarà pronto lo allegherò a questo commento. [Credo che il video in questione sia ormai disponibile anche sottotitolato in italiano, fate un tentativo su Youtube, potreste avere fortuna.]
August 4, 2015
I already read this essay as part of the A Slip of the Keyboard collection and watched it spoken orally on YouTube by Sir Tony Robinson at the Richard Dimbleby lecture, but as it is so brilliantly written, I bought it again in this stand-alone form.
It is a very powerful and moving essay which argue some strong compelling points on dementia, the care for dementia sufferers and the right to an assisted death at the sufferers choosing when the disease reaches a critical stage. For those of you who haven't watched or read this, I highly recommend you do so. I believe this topic is not as discussed and widespread as it should be, and in Sir Terry's memory, we should be striving to spread the word more of this.
It is a very powerful and moving essay which argue some strong compelling points on dementia, the care for dementia sufferers and the right to an assisted death at the sufferers choosing when the disease reaches a critical stage. For those of you who haven't watched or read this, I highly recommend you do so. I believe this topic is not as discussed and widespread as it should be, and in Sir Terry's memory, we should be striving to spread the word more of this.
December 29, 2018
A hard read yet I believe the discussion about "assisted death" is very important. One should be able to decide when to meet DEATH and maybe bring a sandwich just like Granny Weatherwax did. Extremely sad read. I miss you, Terry.
May 12, 2024
What a great man
February 2, 2016
this is an amazing piece of writing from a master of the written word regarding his life since the diagnosis of a rare form of Alzheimer's.
Sir Terry Pratchett was asked by the family of the late Richard Dimbleby in 2009 if he would give the annual address televised by the BBC. Given the nature of his condition it was a monumental task and he rose to the challenge with the help of family and close friends. The result is this fantastic essay on how he felt at the diagnosis, the anger that threatened to consume him, the fear of an undignified exit and the pain that his family would endure throughout. He speaks passionately for the option of assisted death being legalised to allow everyone the right to decide how far they went on the road to losing themselves.
This is a piece of work that will pitch people from one side of the argument against the opposite faction quite literally. He speaks out about the reality of the condition and how it affects even the smallest things we take for granted being able to do. His fervent wish to be allowed the dignity of physical death before the cognitive death that Alzheimer's grants its victims is heartbreaking coming from a man who has entertained us for many years with his brilliant works about the disc world and others.
Sir Terry Pratchett was asked by the family of the late Richard Dimbleby in 2009 if he would give the annual address televised by the BBC. Given the nature of his condition it was a monumental task and he rose to the challenge with the help of family and close friends. The result is this fantastic essay on how he felt at the diagnosis, the anger that threatened to consume him, the fear of an undignified exit and the pain that his family would endure throughout. He speaks passionately for the option of assisted death being legalised to allow everyone the right to decide how far they went on the road to losing themselves.
This is a piece of work that will pitch people from one side of the argument against the opposite faction quite literally. He speaks out about the reality of the condition and how it affects even the smallest things we take for granted being able to do. His fervent wish to be allowed the dignity of physical death before the cognitive death that Alzheimer's grants its victims is heartbreaking coming from a man who has entertained us for many years with his brilliant works about the disc world and others.
July 28, 2016
Perhaps it is because I'm not at the point of my life to fully appreciate this, but despite finding it a fascinating little read about how an individual deals with death, it simply did not speak to me. It quickly became less about dealing with the prospect of death and more about arguing for assisted-death, and (please excuse my insensitivity) I did not pick this 'book' up to read about a debate on euthanasia. And even if I did, it wasn't a particularly good debate.
However, I do fully admit that perhaps in 20 years (or sooner perhaps) I will look back at this read and realise what I've been missing.
However, I do fully admit that perhaps in 20 years (or sooner perhaps) I will look back at this read and realise what I've been missing.
August 14, 2017
Thank the powers that be for allowing us to exist within the same lifetime as Sir Terry Pratchett.
So long my dear man and thank you for the universe of words you created for us.
So long my dear man and thank you for the universe of words you created for us.
August 4, 2015
"I enjoy my life, and wish to continue it for as long as I am still myself..."
October 15, 2019
"If you ever see me in a hospital bed, full of tubes and pipes and no good to anybody, tell them to switch me off."
- Sir Terry Pratchett quoting his father David Pratchett
Some books cannot be measured on numerical scales. People can have different opinions about them (much as they have about everything else), but that does not appreciate/depreciate their core value. This is one of those rare ones...
Radiating from the book was the light that lies on the far side of darkness, the light fantastic.
I am sure you have read the ŷ Summary of by now and know that this is the text of the 2010 BBC Richard Dimbleby Lecture by late and great Sir , in which he voices his support for the human right to Assisted Death.*
"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING," said Death. "JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."
This is not an easy subject to grasp / read about. But know this, the book does not deal judgement on the matter...it rather paves the way for a debate on the subject.
... it takes a lifetime to learn how to die.
The gravitas of his presentation is evident in the fact that Sir Terry does not generalize and provide a third-person point of view here (a disconnected author tackling a subject from a safe distance)...rather, he stands himself as case in point (a human arguing for his right to die with dignity at the time of his own choosing). In 2007, he was diagnosed with a rare form of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), which, as the years progressed, took a toll on his person. In 2009, he spoke about preferring assisted death at the time of his choosing than waiting for his PCA to suck the life out of his living and deteriorate his condition to an empty shell. In the following year, when the opportunity presented for him to deliver the , organized by Dimbleby family, he used this platform to further his voice in support of assisted death and to raise awareness about Alzheimer's.
...he wanted all of us to have the option of dying with dignity at a time of our own choosing.
With an introduction from Rob Wilkins, Sir Terry's PA (who has played a significant part in ensuring his legacy is kept alive after Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night ), the book is a powerful presentation from a profound thinker and an unapologetically outspoken philosopher who never shied away from bringing the most hushed topics out into the open and had the uncanny ability of a bullfighter to tire even the most ferocious beasts to a panting, puffing surrender.
There is less to talk about on this one and more to read, imbibe and think...ergo, I will end this overview on a note of hope that you will have the opportunity to read it and, agree or not, lend a patient ear to the deep, resonating and earnest voice of Sir Terry Pratchett.
* NOTE: The text for this lecture can also be found in - a collection of Sir Terry's non-fiction works
- Sir Terry Pratchett quoting his father David Pratchett
Some books cannot be measured on numerical scales. People can have different opinions about them (much as they have about everything else), but that does not appreciate/depreciate their core value. This is one of those rare ones...
Radiating from the book was the light that lies on the far side of darkness, the light fantastic.
I am sure you have read the ŷ Summary of by now and know that this is the text of the 2010 BBC Richard Dimbleby Lecture by late and great Sir , in which he voices his support for the human right to Assisted Death.*
"DON'T THINK OF IT AS DYING," said Death. "JUST THINK OF IT AS LEAVING EARLY TO AVOID THE RUSH."
This is not an easy subject to grasp / read about. But know this, the book does not deal judgement on the matter...it rather paves the way for a debate on the subject.
... it takes a lifetime to learn how to die.
The gravitas of his presentation is evident in the fact that Sir Terry does not generalize and provide a third-person point of view here (a disconnected author tackling a subject from a safe distance)...rather, he stands himself as case in point (a human arguing for his right to die with dignity at the time of his own choosing). In 2007, he was diagnosed with a rare form of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), which, as the years progressed, took a toll on his person. In 2009, he spoke about preferring assisted death at the time of his choosing than waiting for his PCA to suck the life out of his living and deteriorate his condition to an empty shell. In the following year, when the opportunity presented for him to deliver the , organized by Dimbleby family, he used this platform to further his voice in support of assisted death and to raise awareness about Alzheimer's.
...he wanted all of us to have the option of dying with dignity at a time of our own choosing.
With an introduction from Rob Wilkins, Sir Terry's PA (who has played a significant part in ensuring his legacy is kept alive after Terry took Death’s arm and followed him through the doors and on to the black desert under the endless night ), the book is a powerful presentation from a profound thinker and an unapologetically outspoken philosopher who never shied away from bringing the most hushed topics out into the open and had the uncanny ability of a bullfighter to tire even the most ferocious beasts to a panting, puffing surrender.
There is less to talk about on this one and more to read, imbibe and think...ergo, I will end this overview on a note of hope that you will have the opportunity to read it and, agree or not, lend a patient ear to the deep, resonating and earnest voice of Sir Terry Pratchett.
* NOTE: The text for this lecture can also be found in - a collection of Sir Terry's non-fiction works
March 13, 2021
Decidí leerlo justo ahora porque es el aniversario de muerte del tío Terry, uno de los autores más completos que he conocido. Es imposible leerle sin sonreír, sin llorar a veces, o sin llevarte algo que pensar.
Este libro está relacionado a los retos, miedos, frustraciones y rabia que experimento cuando fue diagnosticado con Alzheimer y toca temas importantes no solo acerca de la enfermedad y la muerte como algo personal (que tan listo estás? Que tan fácil puedes soltarte de la vida? Que tan satisfecho estás en cada momento dado, como para poder irte cuando llegue la muerte por ti? Y... Qué tanto podemos soltar a alguien más cuando es su turno? Y en cualquier caso, cuándo es el momento adecuado para hacerlo?) sino también a niveles más generales.
Con el tío Terry nunca parece que estás tomando cátedra, pero aquí hay más reflexiones sobre la ética de la enfermedad terminal, las políticas públicas que rodean temas de muerte y consciencia sobre calidad de vida que en una clase de filosofía.
Este libro está relacionado a los retos, miedos, frustraciones y rabia que experimento cuando fue diagnosticado con Alzheimer y toca temas importantes no solo acerca de la enfermedad y la muerte como algo personal (que tan listo estás? Que tan fácil puedes soltarte de la vida? Que tan satisfecho estás en cada momento dado, como para poder irte cuando llegue la muerte por ti? Y... Qué tanto podemos soltar a alguien más cuando es su turno? Y en cualquier caso, cuándo es el momento adecuado para hacerlo?) sino también a niveles más generales.
Con el tío Terry nunca parece que estás tomando cátedra, pero aquí hay más reflexiones sobre la ética de la enfermedad terminal, las políticas públicas que rodean temas de muerte y consciencia sobre calidad de vida que en una clase de filosofía.
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March 24, 2025Ομιλία του Sir Terry σχετικά με την ασθένεια, τις επιπτώσεις της και το δικαίωμα στον υποβοηθούμενο θάνατο (ευθανασία). Η ίδια η ομιλία είναι πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα και το χιούμορ του συγγραφέα βοηθάει να διαβαστεί εύκολα, παρά το σκοτεινό θέμα, αυτό που με συγκίνησε όμως περισσότερο ήταν η εισαγωγή. Γραμμένη από τον συνεργάτη του Terry Pratchett, Rob Wilkins, μας δίνει το παρασκήνιο της ομιλίας και τις δυσκολίες που έπρεπε να ξεπεραστούν ώστε να επιτευχθεί.
Θυμάμαι σαν χθες την ανακοίνωση του θανάτου του, φέτος έκλεισαν δέκα χρόνια.
Θυμάμαι σαν χθες την ανακοίνωση του θανάτου του, φέτος έκλεισαν δέκα χρόνια.
May 1, 2019
We are all born terminally ill - steadily moving towards the inevitable fate. A fatal disease is a mere catalyst and doesn't really change anything. Either way all that we want is someone who understands our agony. More than anything else, we all want a peaceful and painless death because it's not really death that we fear but the pain that precedes it.
Death is inevitable - we can't choose to avoid it but to leave the world with dignity and at one's own will can certainly be our choice.
Death is inevitable - we can't choose to avoid it but to leave the world with dignity and at one's own will can certainly be our choice.
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