“[Art Buchwald] has given his friends, their families, and his audiences so many laughs and so much joy through the years that that alone would be an enduring legacy. But Art has never been just about the quick laugh. His humor is a road map to essential truths and insights that might otherwise have eluded us.”—Tom BrokawWhen doctors told Art Buchwald that his kidneys were kaput, the renowned … kaput, the renowned humorist declined dialysis and checked into a Washington, D.C., hospice to live out his final days. Months later, “The Man Who Wouldn’t Die” was still there, feeling good, holding court in a nonstop “salon” for his family and dozens of famous friends, and confronting things you usually don’t talk about before you die; he even jokes about them.
Here Buchwald shares not only his remarkable experience—as dozens of old pals from Ethel Kennedy to John Glenn to the Queen of Swaziland join the party—but also his whole wonderful life: his first love, an early brush with death in a foxhole on Eniwetok Atoll, his fourteen champagne years in Paris, fame as a columnist syndicated in hundreds of newspapers, and his incarnation as hospice superstar. Buchwald also shares his sorrows: coping with an absent mother, childhood in a foster home, and separation from his wife, Ann.
He plans his funeral (with a priest, a rabbi, and Billy Graham, to cover all the bases) and strategizes how to land a big obituary in The New York Times (“Make sure no head of state or Nobel Prize winner dies on the same day”). He describes how he and a few of his famous friends finagled cut-rate burial plots on Martha’s Vineyard and how he acquired a Picasso drawing without really trying.
What we have here is a national treasure, the complete Buchwald, uncertain of where the next days or weeks may take him but unfazed by the inevitable, living life to the fullest, with frankness, dignity, and humor.
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An all too brief look into the mind of a brilliant writer whose purpose ( I say) was to puncture the egos of the insufferably self described important people of his time. Younger folks – under 30 – must find all of his books you can, read them and let the words really permeate your minds. – REALLY!!!
Sad that it was his last words but as usual entertaining till the end.
I was hoping for a more insightful book about life and facing death. But the author was facing death and had his reasons for writing whatever he wished. A bold and brave move. I’m glad things weren’t too frightening for Art – a great man. I am still disappointed that very little time was spent on true emotions and insight into this enormously …
Finding death with love and humor
Recommended if you are an Art Buchwald fan. Parts of the book were funny, other parts not so much. Some chapters seemed like he was bragging, lots of name-dropping–this is somewhat interesting, but not particularly funny. If you’re looking for a book like his columns, this is not it, this has a semi-serious tone to it. That said, it is still a …
Art Buchwald puts together a fun read as he
finishes his life in a Hospice. It’s at once irreverent and enlightening. I was reminded of such expressions as “ What if they gave a war and nobody came?” and “ What did you do in the war, Daddy? and “ Freedom is another word for nothing left to lose.”
To make it even funnier, Buchwald decides ,at …
Great stories and wit from Art!
Not up to Buchwald’s usual humor.
When when dying, Art has something to say to all of us.
As a lifelong fan of his witty, insightful columns, this was a bit of a nostalgic journey with him to the end of his life. Not quite the same as his usual fare, but an opportunity to share with him his long. protracted final chapter.
Interesting. Not one of his best.
Comes across as being written only to raise money, painfully droll
Easy and enjoyable reading. Buchwald has an easy prose that is very pleasant to read
I thought it was fascinating from an icon columnist. Most people don’t survive long enough to write about their positive experience with hospice, nor do they have the skill. This was a joy. I’m sorry I didn’t read more of his columns (They weren’t in our small town newspapers).
very famous old time columnist —fun read
For those who remember Art Buchwald, a must read, for old time sake.
For those going through the approach of end of life – or a family member or friend going through this – a book worth reading for the comfort and smiles and endorphins Art’s writing generates.
Wot a lovely old soul. Wish I’d met him. Thanks, Art.
My husband was in hospice for a short time. It’s not an ugly thing. Art was able to share his story with grace and humor.
An extraordinary, blessed life ended in an extraordinary death. Art was a man of humor until the end.
The first few chapters are well written . I don’t like the name cling and wonder why almost everyone who writes about him/herself need to tell us readers about their sexlife exploits or litter the book with foul language .
So this book ended up disappointing me and I was sorry I bought it almost as sorry as I was when I bought Macon’s book
Wondergful book which Art Buchwald wrote. Very entertaining life he led. Loved reading it.