Staring at the Sun Audiobook By Irvin D. Yalom cover art

Staring at the Sun

Overcoming the Terror of Death

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Staring at the Sun

By: Irvin D. Yalom
Narrated by: Gregory Gorton
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Irvin D. Yalom is an author whose best-selling trade books and novels tell compelling, dramatic, and illuminating stories with which readers can identify.

At 74, Yalom has penned a book that is the climax of his lifework, focusing on the universal human issues of mortality and death. He suggests that what he calls the "awakening experience" can help us acknowledge, accept, and utilize our fear of death in a very positive manner. Such an awakening experience can be as simple as a dream, or quick as a sudden insight. It is often a loss, a trauma, or just plain aging that can prompt an awakening experience that is a turning point for a more meaningful life. He discusses how people can make lasting changes in their lives, rearrange their priorities, communicate more deeply with those they love, eliminate interpersonal fears of rejection, and increase a willingness to take risks for personal fulfillment and a life filled with love.

©2009 Irvin D. Yalom (P)2009 BBC Audio Developmental Psychology Grief & Loss Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Inspiring

Featured Article: A Future Corpse's Guide to Death Acceptance


Confronting death does not necessitate a spiral into despondency. Instead we may come a realization that, in acknowledging and accepting this fate, we paradoxically lead fuller and more emotionally present lives. In this list, scholars, physicians, journalists, philosophers, and death professionals share their stories, perspectives, and advice, offering a glimpse into how we can prepare for the end with grace, heart, and humor.

Featured Article A Future Corpse's Guide to Death Acceptance
Thought Provoking Content • Insightful Psychological Perspectives • Therapeutic Voice • Engaging Case Studies
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While I love all of Yalom’s books this one is my favorite. It is a culmination of brilliant writing and existential psychological/philosophical thought regarding the inevitability of death. Yalom discloses several stories from his past that has played a role in shaping his own feelings regarding death.

Another excellent Yalom book!

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This book is awesomely thought provoking and is greet for all aspiring counselors and therapists or anyone looking at working in the helping profession with those facing end of life and those who are grieving

Must read

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Loved the book, the narration was a little odd when portraying various patients, but they were quite entertaining. Highly recommended!

Excellent insight and stories!

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You don't need to be a therapist to gain a lot of insight from Dr. Yalom's book.

Understanding universal death anxiety

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a masterful reading of a book discussing one the most taboo subjects for humanity - I’ll be thinking about this book for a long time

compassionate, meaningful, and eye-opening

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I love Yalom and a book of his has yet to fail to captivate me. Unfortunately, the audiobook reader tries to do horrible accents while reading quotes from other characters. I literally cringed in disgust at some of his offensive accents. Too bad really because his normal voice for most of the book is nice.

Great book, frustrating audio

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If you are thinking about becoming a therapist, this is a classic and should read it!

Great introduction to existentialism

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5 stars all around. I have been in the mental health field for a few years but am new to the therapist role. This book is incredibly insightful and valuable. The case presentations provided depth to the discussion of facing death

Adding to my favorites

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The title resonated with my "staring at the sun" in childhood following
harsh parental physical punishment; no doubt a way to regain control and express defiance and other feelings. A tough book for the average reader seeking escape. Irvin keeps reader "on the ropes" and repeating "there for the of love God" go I. Irvin makes you come down from being a "fly on his office wall"; instead wishing you were his patient. So glad to get acquainted with his beliefs and works. Plan to read or listen to all.

Every persons book for these Pandemic times

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Where does Staring at the Sun rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Yalom is superb, helping the listener through the struggle. Massive and thoughtful!

What did you like best about this story?

The personal internal struggle Yalom reveals through his therapy is extraordinary.

Have you listened to any of Gregory Gorton’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Hearing about living in the present, helps the tension of the future unknown.

Counsel for the Difficulty of Death

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