I'm not a Buddhist or anything else, and I don't often find "spiritual" reading very accessible, as it often strikes me as vague, abstract, and jargon-y. I didn't think this was the best-written book I've ever read--Mr. Levine, please, please, please look up the definition of "enormity" before you write another word--but I nevertheless found the insights unusually moving and helpful in a practical sense.

Levines book differs from most books on death by providing some experiential exercises so the individual can gain personal insight rather then be directly fed the pre-digested great wisdom of so-called experts on death.This along with some of Sylvia Brownes books and 18 Mortal Acts could be used to learn more about ones own mortality and put it in a personal journal. In addition, Mr. Levine makes some sharp penetrating insights into how people deal or don't deal with death. The exercises he advocates are interesting and well constructed. A valuable book for those actively and openly exploring their mortality and who want to go beyond conforming to ideas from experts.