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The Myth of the Dignified Death

Dr Sherwin Nuland is a surgeon who teaches at Yale. In his recent book, "How We Die: Reflections on Life's Final Chapter," he writes that few of us have an understanding of the way people die; 80 percent of Americans die in the hospital, and, for the most part their deaths are concealed. Nuland hopes to de-mythologize the process of dying by emphasizing its biological and clinical reality.

22:24

Other segments from the episode on August 30, 1994

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 30, 1994: Interview with Sherwin Nuland; Interview with David Sedaris; Review of Richard Holmes's book "Doctor Johnson and Mr. Savage."

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