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When Breath Becomes Air

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When Breath Becomes Air

By: Paul Kalanithi
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Sunil Malhotra
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About this listen

Tackling the agonizing transition from skilled surgeon to bewildered patient, When Breath Becomes Air is an unflinching account of what it means to be betrayed by the body you devoted your life to understanding.

The New York Times number-one best seller.

At the age of 36, on the verge of completing a decade's training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, the next he was a patient struggling to live.

When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi's transformation from a medical student asking what makes a virtuous and meaningful life into a neurosurgeon working in the core of human identity - the brain - and finally into a patient and a new father.

What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when life is catastrophically interrupted? What does it mean to have a child as your own life fades away?

Paul Kalanithi died while working on this profoundly moving book, yet his words live on as a guide to us all. When Breath Becomes Air is a life-affirming reflection on facing our mortality and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a gifted writer who became both.

©2016 Paul Kalanithi (P)2016 Random House AudioBooks Cancer Death & Dying Grief & Loss Personal Development Physical Illness & Disease Relationships Sociology Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Inspiring Surgery Medicine

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Critic reviews

"Finishing this book and then forgetting about it is simply not an option.... Unmissable." ( New York Times)
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Even if I didn't have a cancer diagnosis I'd have learned so much about courage and intelligent authenticity. I learned a lot about how dying works, not in a morbid way but as useful information I'll need for death in myself and my family. It's about how to live well and die well. It has strengthened and deepened my spirit.

Enlightening

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Such an amazing eye opening account of the process of terminal illness, of dignity in dying and of enjoying life and making the most of it to the last breath.

Simply amazing and humbling

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Story that had my stomach turning and me listening through it in one go. At first I returned the book, but then had me come back to it the next day.

Inspiring however heavy

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What a touching, heartfelt and honest book. To learn of Paul's life and journey was remarkable. As a doctor myself many elements of the story resonated with me, and it brings to the fore the question of what is it we value in life. The fact a dying man could bring this work together so beautifully is incredible. Make sure you have tissues in your car for this one.

Moving, poignant, a must read

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I loved this book it really touched my heart.it was so easy to enjoy even on such a painful subject. It's made me look at things differently.

a wonderful meaningful book

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Absolutely incredible, what this man went through and how he handled it. Well written and lovely to listen to.

Exquisite

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Really enjoyed listening to this book. I finished feeling like i knew Paul. His family should be so proud.

Touching

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Loved it. Cried, laughed and most of all thought about the meaning g of life and death and how to embrace both.

A brilliant book

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Heart breaking, tear-jerking and relatable story. Made me reassess priorities in my own life in surgical training. May he rest in peace.

Highly recommended this book

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No happy ending here, the book gave plenty to think about in terms of mortality, however there were some sections that sort of didn’t fit in for me and which I couldn’t really engage with.

A real life account

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