The act of death itself and the rituals surrounding it vary enormously and shed a fascinating light on the cultures of which they are a part. In this brief and lively history, Douglas Davies - internationally acknowledged as one of the leading experts in this field - tackles some of the most significant aspects of death and weaves them into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dying.

* Offers a fascinating examination of this subject which is of enduring interest in every culture in the world

* Considers the profound influence death has had on subjects ranging from philosophy to anthropology, through to art, literature, and music - inspiring some of our most enduring artistic highpoints

* Broaches some of the most significant aspects of death, such as the act of dying, grieving, burial, artistic interpretations of death, places of memory, the fear of death, and disasters/tragedies

* Weaves these numerous approaches to death into a compelling story about our changing attitudes to dying

* Contains several illustrations, and is written in an accessible and lively style.