What do you think?
Rate this book
Immortal Last Words
Immortal Last Words is a fascinating, diverse collection of history's most uplifting, entertaining and thought-provoking dying remarks and final farewells.
The 370 entries in this book have been drawn from some of history's greatest statesmen, poets, scientists, novelists and warriors--the eminent men and women who have shaped events over the last four and a half millennia and whose final recorded words have often inspired great deeds or shed light on the nature of the human condition. There are also entries are from less well- known individuals who did not make such an impact on history but whose dying words are equally noteworthy as they encapsulate the spirit of the times or simply reflect the character of the speaker. And finally, the pages of this book contain the last words of some of most ignoble personalities in history--the monsters and maniacs whose final defiant utterances prompt us to reflect on the nature of evil and man's inhumanity to man.
Arranged chronologically from antiquity to the present day, each entry is accompanied by contextual information giving a brief biography of the author and an explanation of the circumstances that gave rise to the quotation. Some of the sentiments expressed are unbelievably sad while others are optimistic; some final words have become famous while others have remained obscure, but all reflect the follies and greatness of mankind--its heroes and villains, war and peace and the absolute power of language to change our feelings and challenge our minds.
The 370 entries in this book have been drawn from some of history's greatest statesmen, poets, scientists, novelists and warriors--the eminent men and women who have shaped events over the last four and a half millennia and whose final recorded words have often inspired great deeds or shed light on the nature of the human condition. There are also entries are from less well- known individuals who did not make such an impact on history but whose dying words are equally noteworthy as they encapsulate the spirit of the times or simply reflect the character of the speaker. And finally, the pages of this book contain the last words of some of most ignoble personalities in history--the monsters and maniacs whose final defiant utterances prompt us to reflect on the nature of evil and man's inhumanity to man.
Arranged chronologically from antiquity to the present day, each entry is accompanied by contextual information giving a brief biography of the author and an explanation of the circumstances that gave rise to the quotation. Some of the sentiments expressed are unbelievably sad while others are optimistic; some final words have become famous while others have remained obscure, but all reflect the follies and greatness of mankind--its heroes and villains, war and peace and the absolute power of language to change our feelings and challenge our minds.
780 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2010
7 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 30, 2012
I came across this book shortly after reading Looking for Alaska by John Green. So of course, it caught my interest. Reading it now, I found it to be well put together. It was quite fascinating to learn about the last words of these people who we all know from history; it says a lot about how they felt as they faced their own mortality. Of course, not all last words are profound or even surprising, but learning about the deaths of these people really says a lot about history and how far we've come and how far we haven't. Overall, it's just a great collection to have and to muse over.
January 4, 2019
Interesting read for short periods of time, dipped into it now and then for weeks.
December 16, 2025
Hoewel de titel spreekt van laatste woorden is in het boek het begrip 'laatste woorden' wat ruimer genomen; soms betreft het een suggestie voor een grafschrift door de persoon zelf of is het een uitspraak aangaande diens dood, dan wel een zelfmoordbriefje, maar af en toe is het zelfs wat een ander over die persoon gezegd heeft of een citaat uit een werk over die persoon.
Alle personen over wie geschreven is hebben netjes één pagina waarop hun levenswerk en/of hun heengaan is beschreven, wat het interessant maakt om te lezen, ook als de persoon in kwestie geen belletje doet rinkelen. (En bij mij waren dat er best heel wat!)
Wat ik wel enigszins deprimerend vond is dat veel mensen uiteindelijk zichzelf van het leven hebben beroofd (per ongeluk of opzettelijk), vermoord zijn of onder gewelddadige en goddeloze omstandigheden zijn overleden. Ik weet niet wat ik verwacht had, maar ik denk dat ik iets meer mooie verhalen verwachtte?
Alle personen over wie geschreven is hebben netjes één pagina waarop hun levenswerk en/of hun heengaan is beschreven, wat het interessant maakt om te lezen, ook als de persoon in kwestie geen belletje doet rinkelen. (En bij mij waren dat er best heel wat!)
Wat ik wel enigszins deprimerend vond is dat veel mensen uiteindelijk zichzelf van het leven hebben beroofd (per ongeluk of opzettelijk), vermoord zijn of onder gewelddadige en goddeloze omstandigheden zijn overleden. Ik weet niet wat ik verwacht had, maar ik denk dat ik iets meer mooie verhalen verwachtte?
November 23, 2022
Interesting enough contents, with each person given a page for a potted overview of who they were, a mug shot, and their last words; and that's the problem. It's not so much last words or even last sentiments, but more a grab-bag of what the author feels are "memorable quotes or anecdotes". After the first few entries it feels as if the contents were either downloaded from (or prepared to be uploaded to) Wikipedia, including spelling and layout errors. Although there are some interesting and funny entries, there's a great deal of old ground covered here and also a bias towards USA persons.
In summary, a bit of fun to grab out of the bookshelf and read a few pages, but don't set your expectations too high.
In summary, a bit of fun to grab out of the bookshelf and read a few pages, but don't set your expectations too high.
April 8, 2022
Als je op zoek bent naar een wijze levensles, dan is dit niet het boek waarin je die zal vinden. Het is ontstellend hoe onbenullig het levenseinde is. "Laat het niet zo eindigen. Vertel maar dat ik nog iets gezegd heb", "Nog een ogenblik, beul. Een klein ogenblikje!". Het boek vertelt over het einde van 370 bekende en minder bekende mensen (1 per pagina), gerangschikt naar datum van overlijden. Ik verwittig je: hoe verder je gaat in het boek, hoe somberder je wordt van al dat zinloze sterven.
June 7, 2023
Sometimes interesting, for sure the ones further down the past ... the most recent ones also show the times we life in, superficial.
August 20, 2019
This is an interesting non-fiction collection of last words, comments, epitaphs, suicide notes, diary entries, letters, poems and much more belonging to famous and some not so famous people.
Each phrase, remark or statement is presented in date order, with one page devoted to each entry. Each entry contains the person's name, their date of birth and date of death, the remark, statement or deathbed declaration chosen by the author, and a short bio of the person. The short bio provides enough background for the reader to understand the person's place in history, including how they passed.
This is a perfect book to dip into from time to time; you don't need to remember where you're up to and you can flip back and forth as each page can be read in isolation. It's also a terrific way to absorb historical facts and information.
Some of the phrases or quotes were familiar to me: "It's better to burn out than to fade away" attributed to Kurt Cobain, and
"If the Persians [Medes] darken the sun with their arrows, we shall have our fight in the shade" spoken by Dieneces the Spartan in 480 BCE.
Others were new to me: "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter." This was said by Sir Winston Churchill on his seventy-fifth birthday in 1949; he wasn't to die until 1965.
My favourite excerpt from the book were the last words spoken by Pancho Villa: "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
Some statements and comments were funny, others were inspiring and some were reflective. I definitely recommend this book; I laughed, I learned and I was inspired.
Each phrase, remark or statement is presented in date order, with one page devoted to each entry. Each entry contains the person's name, their date of birth and date of death, the remark, statement or deathbed declaration chosen by the author, and a short bio of the person. The short bio provides enough background for the reader to understand the person's place in history, including how they passed.
This is a perfect book to dip into from time to time; you don't need to remember where you're up to and you can flip back and forth as each page can be read in isolation. It's also a terrific way to absorb historical facts and information.
Some of the phrases or quotes were familiar to me: "It's better to burn out than to fade away" attributed to Kurt Cobain, and
"If the Persians [Medes] darken the sun with their arrows, we shall have our fight in the shade" spoken by Dieneces the Spartan in 480 BCE.
Others were new to me: "I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter." This was said by Sir Winston Churchill on his seventy-fifth birthday in 1949; he wasn't to die until 1965.
My favourite excerpt from the book were the last words spoken by Pancho Villa: "Don't let it end like this. Tell them I said something."
Some statements and comments were funny, others were inspiring and some were reflective. I definitely recommend this book; I laughed, I learned and I was inspired.
August 25, 2012
Really enjoyable and one of those books that I could not put down. Histories most memorable people and their thoughts; both sad and funny; before they pass over. I would like to share some of my favourite quotes.
Winston Churchill: "I am ready to meet my Maker. whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter?"
W. C. Fields (an atheist reading the bible): "I am looking for loopholes."
Beethoven: "Applaud, my friends, the comedy is finished."
Winston Churchill: "I am ready to meet my Maker. whether my Maker is ready for the ordeal of meeting me is another matter?"
W. C. Fields (an atheist reading the bible): "I am looking for loopholes."
Beethoven: "Applaud, my friends, the comedy is finished."
October 27, 2015
This book did not live up to my expectations. I was looking for inspiration for my future obituary but alas... the main reason why most of these 'Last Words' might be considered to be 'Immortal' is that they were uttered by (somewhat) famous people. Another cause for my discontentment is that the share of US citizens is way to large.
December 18, 2010
As person who absolutely loves Looking for Alaska by John Green. This book was like a gift, sitting in Borders for the unbelievably low price of $2! I'd be insane to pass up this bargain! Reading this was like reading a short summary of history except with even more humor than usual!
December 10, 2011
I thought it was a glorious book, something nice to read bit by bit over a long period of time.
Read
September 30, 2012I wouldn't recommend reading it. It is a bad piece of work. The book is unbelievably boring and drawn out. ANd most of the last words are ntohing great to know...
February 22, 2013
Ok at first, but there is around 350 people in there, and I probably will remember 2 so kinda useless. Also got a bit boring in the end.
September 20, 2018
Leuk tussendoortje. Interessant om te lezen, hoewel bij sommige mensen totaal onrelevante informatie staat. En de zinsopbouw mag in sommige gevallen ook wel beter.
October 19, 2013
Very well written.
October 1, 2014
Two things you learn from this book. 1) Everyone dies. Death is no respecter of status, wealth, nationality or gender. 2) Make sure you fulfill your role in life while you are still alive.
September 22, 2013
Fairly interesting look into many historical figures' last words.
July 23, 2014
A must read book for every person to know about the value of life.
April 24, 2016
Interesting & at times humorous
April 13, 2017
interesting
May 21, 2019
Leuk boek over grote en minder grote figuren doorheen de mensheid en wat bijzondere uitspraken waren van hen of over hen. Leuk om lezen, ook gemakkelijk omdat elke pagina een ander verhaal vormt. Handig om lezen als je kampt met (tijdelijke!) concentratieproblemen :-)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews