Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
by Atul Gawande
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande holds a highly rated rating of 4.40 out of 5, based on 56.5K reader ratings. First published in 2014. The book spans 282 pages.
About Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
In Being Mortal, author Atul Gawande tackles the hardest challenge of his profession: how medicine can not only improve life but also the process of its endingMedicine has triumphed in modern times, transforming birth, injury, and infectious disease from harrowing to manageable. But in the inevitable condition of aging and death, the goals of medicine seem too frequently to run counter to the interest of the human spirit. Nursing homes, preoccupied with safety, pin patients into railed beds and wheelchairs. Hospitals isolate the dying, checking for vital signs long after the goals of cure have become moot. Doctors, committed to extending life, continue to carry out devastating procedures that in the end extend suffering.Gawande, a practicing surgeon, addresses his profession's ultimate limitation, arguing that quality of life is the desired goal for patients and families. Gawande offers examples of freer, more socially fulfilling models for assisting the infirm and dependent elderly, and he explores the varieties of hospice care to demonstrate that a person's last weeks or months may be rich and dignified.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | Atul Gawande |
| Published | 2014 |
| Pages | 282 |
| Kindle Price | $11.99 |
| Genres | Non-Fiction, Science, Philosophy, Psychology, Biography & Memoir |
| Average Rating | 4.40 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 56,510 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is categorized as Non-Fiction, Science, Philosophy, Psychology. Its primary genre classification is Biography & Memoir.
Is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End worth reading?
Based on 56.5K reader ratings, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End has an average score of 4.40 out of 5.00, which is considered "Highly Rated." Its large number of reviews suggests broad reader appeal.
How many pages is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End has 282 pages.
Who wrote Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End was written by Atul Gawande. It was first published in 2014.
What is the ISBN for Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
The ISBN-13 for Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is 9780805095160.0.
How much does Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End cost on Kindle?
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is available on Kindle for $11.99. Pricing may vary by region and promotional offers.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
