Last Words: A Dictionary of Deathbed Quotations »

The last words of the dying often provide insight into their feelings about life. Some are peaceful ("It is very beautiful over there"-Thomas Alva Edison); many are spiritual ("Don't ask the Lord to keep me here. Ask him to have mercy"-Walker Percy); others are angry ("God-damn the whole frigging world and everybody in it-except you Carlotta"-W.C. Fields); still others reflect the weary fight against death ("I'm bored of it all"-Sir Winston Churchill).

Nearly 2,000 deathbed quotations from saints, popes, statesmen, scientists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, artists, entertainers, writers, criminals and others are included in this reference work. Each entry includes a brief biographical sketch of the person and sets the quotation in context. The sources for the quotes include biographies, newspaper and magazine accounts, and, in a few instances, firsthand accounts.

Booknews

A reference that contains 2,033 deathbed quotations from saints, popes, statesmen, scientists, soldiers, musicians, athletes, artists, entertainers, writers, criminals, and others. Each entry includes a thumbnail biographical sketch of the person and sets the quotation in context. Chico Marx to his daughter: "Put in my coffin a deck of cards, a mashie niblick, and a pretty blonde." Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)