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How Not to Die: Surprising Lessons on Living Longer, Safer, and Healthier from America's Favorite Medical Examiner
WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die , Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don’t have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time.
• In “Highway to the Morgue,” we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open
• “Code Blue” teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around
• “Everyday Dangers” informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning storm
Using anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors’ orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die , Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don’t have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time.
• In “Highway to the Morgue,” we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open
• “Code Blue” teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around
• “Everyday Dangers” informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning storm
Using anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors’ orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
231 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews
November 20, 2014
This books alludes to several surprising lessons on living longer like "Don't do cocaine," and "Wear a seatbelt."
February 27, 2010
I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, it had gory but scientific explanations of the puzzles behind figuring out how people died. So, that was cool. I always like books about forensics.
On the other hand, no one is going to get any news about what kills you, not unless you've been living under a rock for the past twenty years. Smoking kills you? Really? Seat belts save lives? And in related news, water is wet!
Also, some of the advice came off as moralistic and low on facts. For example, she admits that Marijuana is not going to kill you, and then says "it's going to make you lose memory, etc, so just don't do it." She also rehashed the tired old "obesity is unhealthy, so lose weight to <24 bmi or you will die a horrible, horrible death." I really don't want to hear that garbage, especially not with how inaccurate the bmi thing is, and how poor the correlation between mild "obesity" and mortality, and the well-established but oft-ignored fact that your odds of losing weight and keeping it off are something like 9 to 1. Telling us that "since fat people die sooner, you should get skinny" is like saying, "tall people make more money and get more respect, so try your best to be tall."
I would have liked it best if she had stuck with the cool stories of figuring out how dead people got that way than preaching stuff we read about in the magazines twenty years ago.
On the other hand, no one is going to get any news about what kills you, not unless you've been living under a rock for the past twenty years. Smoking kills you? Really? Seat belts save lives? And in related news, water is wet!
Also, some of the advice came off as moralistic and low on facts. For example, she admits that Marijuana is not going to kill you, and then says "it's going to make you lose memory, etc, so just don't do it." She also rehashed the tired old "obesity is unhealthy, so lose weight to <24 bmi or you will die a horrible, horrible death." I really don't want to hear that garbage, especially not with how inaccurate the bmi thing is, and how poor the correlation between mild "obesity" and mortality, and the well-established but oft-ignored fact that your odds of losing weight and keeping it off are something like 9 to 1. Telling us that "since fat people die sooner, you should get skinny" is like saying, "tall people make more money and get more respect, so try your best to be tall."
I would have liked it best if she had stuck with the cool stories of figuring out how dead people got that way than preaching stuff we read about in the magazines twenty years ago.
November 10, 2012
This book should actually be called: "Don't Be an Idiot and You'll Live Longer." But I'm sure Dr. G and her publishers thought HOW NOT TO DIE sounded just a little bit better!
If you watch the DR. G: MEDICAL EXAMINER show at all regularly, you'll recognize a number of the scenarios presented in the book. Even having seen them before, though, I was intrigued enough to read the whole thing.
Most of the information provided is commen sense: if you don't become obese, if you don't smoke, do drugs, or drink yourself into oblivion, you're likely to live longer.
Some of the information is more abstract: that driving in a car with the windows all the way up or all the way down is safer than leaving them halfway, or that there are numerous harmful drug interactions that you've never heard of, or that you should really make sure that the prescriptions you get filled at a pharmacy are the right medications.
Overall, this is an informative (and even funny) read that, although I'm not sure could really save your life, at least makes you think and take a more active role in your healthcare.
If you watch the DR. G: MEDICAL EXAMINER show at all regularly, you'll recognize a number of the scenarios presented in the book. Even having seen them before, though, I was intrigued enough to read the whole thing.
Most of the information provided is commen sense: if you don't become obese, if you don't smoke, do drugs, or drink yourself into oblivion, you're likely to live longer.
Some of the information is more abstract: that driving in a car with the windows all the way up or all the way down is safer than leaving them halfway, or that there are numerous harmful drug interactions that you've never heard of, or that you should really make sure that the prescriptions you get filled at a pharmacy are the right medications.
Overall, this is an informative (and even funny) read that, although I'm not sure could really save your life, at least makes you think and take a more active role in your healthcare.
July 24, 2011
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Dr. G. I loved her show until my cable company decided to replace Discovery Health Channel with OWN (ugh). So when I saw that my library had this book I had to pick it up. Dr. G gives the most candid medical advice without being preachy. Her tips on making oneself healthy are simple and not outrageous like some health writers out there. She is a firm believer in moderation in all things. Her book is peppered with examples from her cases, showing how her patients could have avoided ending up in the morgue. The book includes charts and side notes listing important information in an easy-to-find format (such as what first-aid supplies to bring on vacation and how often you should have certain medical tests done). I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the little things they can do (or stop doing) that can increase their odds of staying out of the morgue and living a happy, healthy life.
October 18, 2008
Surprising lessons indeed. Apparently, smoking is bad for you. So is abuse of drugs, driving recklessly, morbid obesity and having an accident. So avoid all that and everything's jake.
April 3, 2022
takie 3,5 Szczerze mówiąc omijałam fragmenty które mało mnie interesowały. Ale było sporo opisów, które przykuły moją uwagę na co liczyłam w tej książce
May 19, 2023
Although most of the information is common sense advice, the doctor makes it interesting. She states the obvious, but then backs it up with scientific facts, and describes what she finds in her autopsies.
Like a detective, she determines the cause of death in some cases that were inaccurately stated at first call.
We all know that drugs, alcohol, and smoking are bad for the body, but when she describes what these substances actually DO inside us, it should be a wake up call.
Like a detective, she determines the cause of death in some cases that were inaccurately stated at first call.
We all know that drugs, alcohol, and smoking are bad for the body, but when she describes what these substances actually DO inside us, it should be a wake up call.
April 2, 2025
Zamysł fajny, ale sposób pisania sprawił, że czytałam tę książkę ponad miesiąc.
November 29, 2025
Strasznie się wynudziłam. Spodziewałam się spektakularnych przypadków, a dostałam rady typu "zawsze myj ręce"
April 1, 2013
I've never seen Dr. G's TV show. Did watch Six Feet Under (each episode began with how a character died) and have been known to turn on a crime show now and then. An interesting, well written, quick read.
I appreciated the very first sentence in the acknowledgements where she thanked the decedents and the privilege they provided her to learn. Also, " . . .a lot of us make our own bad luck. Life is a series of choises. And these choices, plus genetics and luck, determine our fate."
Dr. G. also discussed her career choices and path (farming or medicine) and mentors. I liked her personal discussion about how she uses science to discover the cause and manner of death and the healing she can give grieving families. The description of the death investigation system in the U.S., how it started (MA in 1877), difference between state coroners and medical examiners (NYC 1918), etc. was interesting. The stats: 40% premature natural disease, 40% accidents, 10% homicide, 10% suicides.
Lack of timely medical care is a good reminder for us all. Quite a few of the stories reflect this situation. Or not living a healthy lifestyle. Knowing your BMI, blood pressure, etc. Especially for men who neglect getting annual physicals (heart disease, cancer and accidents kill them).
And of course there is driving (page 94 lists the top 8 reasons for collisions . . .the new lingo to replace "accident"), all the other drivers you have to worry about and the danger of pulling over. Dr. G's book makes you NOT want to drive on a Friday or Saturday night from 12 am - 3 am. Needless to say the odds of dying from a car crash (1 in 84) or being hit by a car (1 in 631) are high. Scary if you live outside a city and don't have access to mass transit.
Dr. G even includes a travelers first aid kit, water safety tips and a resource list (diabetes, depression, etc.).
Her personal story about how her 4 year old wandered into her autopsy suite and how she handled it was touching. As is her philosophy about being reminded how prcious life is as part of her daily work.
I appreciated the very first sentence in the acknowledgements where she thanked the decedents and the privilege they provided her to learn. Also, " . . .a lot of us make our own bad luck. Life is a series of choises. And these choices, plus genetics and luck, determine our fate."
Dr. G. also discussed her career choices and path (farming or medicine) and mentors. I liked her personal discussion about how she uses science to discover the cause and manner of death and the healing she can give grieving families. The description of the death investigation system in the U.S., how it started (MA in 1877), difference between state coroners and medical examiners (NYC 1918), etc. was interesting. The stats: 40% premature natural disease, 40% accidents, 10% homicide, 10% suicides.
Lack of timely medical care is a good reminder for us all. Quite a few of the stories reflect this situation. Or not living a healthy lifestyle. Knowing your BMI, blood pressure, etc. Especially for men who neglect getting annual physicals (heart disease, cancer and accidents kill them).
And of course there is driving (page 94 lists the top 8 reasons for collisions . . .the new lingo to replace "accident"), all the other drivers you have to worry about and the danger of pulling over. Dr. G's book makes you NOT want to drive on a Friday or Saturday night from 12 am - 3 am. Needless to say the odds of dying from a car crash (1 in 84) or being hit by a car (1 in 631) are high. Scary if you live outside a city and don't have access to mass transit.
Dr. G even includes a travelers first aid kit, water safety tips and a resource list (diabetes, depression, etc.).
Her personal story about how her 4 year old wandered into her autopsy suite and how she handled it was touching. As is her philosophy about being reminded how prcious life is as part of her daily work.
March 17, 2010
This is interesting enough, and there is some good information, including websites and phone numbers, but it didn't reach out and grab me. It did give me enough information that I started worrying about diseases I might have that I never knew about before. :)
* * *
Product Description
WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die, Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don’t have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time.
• In “Highway to the Morgue,” we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open
• “Code Blue” teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around
• “Everyday Dangers” informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning storm
Using anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors’ orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
* * *
Product Description
WHEN THIS DOCTOR TALKS, YOU SHOULD LISTEN.
Thousands of people make an early exit each year and arrive on medical examiner Jan Garavaglia’s table. What is particularly sad about this is that many of these deaths could easily have been prevented. Although Dr. Garavaglia, or Dr. G, as she’s known to many, could not tell these individuals how to avoid their fates, we can benefit from her experience and profound insight into the choices we make each day.
In How Not to Die, Dr. G acts as a medical detective to identify the often-unintentional ways we harm our bodies, then shows us how to use that information to live better and smarter. She provides startling tips on how to make wise choices so that we don’t have to see her, or someone like her, for a good, long time.
• In “Highway to the Morgue,” we learn the one commonsense safety tip that can prevent deadly accidents—and the reason you should never drive with the windows half open
• “Code Blue” teaches us how to increase our chances of leaving the hospital alive—and how to insist that everyone caring for you practice the easiest hygiene method around
• “Everyday Dangers” informs us why neat freaks live longer—and the best ways to stay safe in a car during a lightning storm
Using anecdotes from her cases and a liberal dose of humor, Dr. G gives us her prescription for living a healthier, better, longer life—and unlike many doctors’ orders, this one is surprisingly easy to follow.
June 16, 2021
Dr. Jan Garavaglia is such a precious person. Years ago, I watched her TV show. She is someone with a purpose in life - the best of all: helping others. Her book is NOT full of clichés, as some readers have erroneously pointed out. It is a systematic exposition of tips on how to live a long and healthy life and not die of stupidity and/or other preventable death. Having worked with the dead for such a long time every day, Dr. G should know. The best thing about the book is that the reader can be sure that the author knows all these things empirically. As she said in one of her interviews, people do not follow safety guidelines and do not live healthy life because they do not see the consequences of the opposite behavior. Also, everything is thoroughly explained in the book; so there are no hollow statements like "eat fiber because I said so" or "try to move during long flights because it's good for your health." The reader is constantly made aware of all the science behind these small things. With everything being thoroughly explained, the text has huge persuasive power.
April 15, 2009
surprisingly engaging, readable book by "America's favorite medical examiner" -- haven't previously heard of her nor seen her TV show, but she's a good, clear writer and gives reasonable advice about health practices based on her experience of having conducted thousands of autopsies.
Much of the advice is predictable if you haven't been living under a rock (don't smoke, don't drink to excess, wear your seatbelt, wear a helmet if you ride a motorcycle, put a smoke detector on each floor of your house, try not to become morbidly obese........), but the hook of describing related autopsies for each major topic is distinctive. Also, she draws you into the science and logic of using clues from the death scene and/or the body itself to figure out exactly how someone died.
Not sure this will make me want to start watching CSI or the like, as the visuals might be too intense, but I enjoyed reading about her work.
Much of the advice is predictable if you haven't been living under a rock (don't smoke, don't drink to excess, wear your seatbelt, wear a helmet if you ride a motorcycle, put a smoke detector on each floor of your house, try not to become morbidly obese........), but the hook of describing related autopsies for each major topic is distinctive. Also, she draws you into the science and logic of using clues from the death scene and/or the body itself to figure out exactly how someone died.
Not sure this will make me want to start watching CSI or the like, as the visuals might be too intense, but I enjoyed reading about her work.
February 2, 2010
This book was an interesting journey through the many things that can kill! Dr. G., uses real-life examples of actual cases to explain the tragedy that some families go through. This book was kind boring in some places, but overall it was a good read.
January 18, 2009
I'm learning that lifestyle choices and habits of behavior can prevent premature trips to the ME.
December 24, 2012
I love this book. Also loved her shows. It is a very good book if you are a smoker or a drinker or for anyone else that abuses their body. Her bottom line is be smart, live longer.
November 8, 2019
Nothing controversial here; wish it went deeper. There's some value to a momento mori exercise of thinking about a medical examiner opening you up and marveling at your clear arteries and solid bone density because you've taken care of yourself. I wish I hadn't read some of these anecdotes though. Dr. G. acknowledges the circumstances of their death were very atypical, hence their stop over in her morgue. But now I've got these stories about things that are statistically rare that I'm worried about.
If you're short on time, you'd get most of the takeaways by looking up a list of the most common causes of death. If you were going to spend a book-length amount of time on this topic, I remember the RealAge franchinse being more concrete and quantitative about what health stats and behaviors to focus on. Diet-specific recommendations, I'd look to China Study and the other How Not to Die by the other Dr. G (Greger) book.
If you're short on time, you'd get most of the takeaways by looking up a list of the most common causes of death. If you were going to spend a book-length amount of time on this topic, I remember the RealAge franchinse being more concrete and quantitative about what health stats and behaviors to focus on. Diet-specific recommendations, I'd look to China Study and the other How Not to Die by the other Dr. G (Greger) book.
July 6, 2017
At first glance this book does not appear to be a 'good read' but once I got going found it to be fascinating. Good advice about how to stay safe and live longer are interlaced with a description of her experiences as a medical examiner/pathologist. An intelligent person with a strong stomach she is also and an excellent communicator. An entertaining and informative book in which she reveals the common sense secret to a long life which is....be careful, be lucky, don't do alcohol or drugs, don't smoke, exercise regularly, don't get fat and have some good genes. Recommended, I really enjoyed it.
September 25, 2020
Out of fairness I am a doctor reading this book. As a result it was incredibly simplified and thus really did not capture my attention. I put it down after two chapters. I would have read it if the focus had been on her cases. She gives very brief overviews of her cases and then uses it to emphasize a medical point like go see your doctor every year and tell the doctor everything and check the prescription before you take it.
I am sure other people would find this book interesting. Those who are looking for medical advice may not want to read about the autopsies. Those who are interested in autopsies may not be interested in basic medical advice.
I am sure other people would find this book interesting. Those who are looking for medical advice may not want to read about the autopsies. Those who are interested in autopsies may not be interested in basic medical advice.
Read
July 25, 2020The hook is tips for avoiding premature death (which mainly turn out to be no-brainers like “don’t smoke.”) The cool part is the clinical sleuthing by a surprisingly upbeat medical examiner. (Which is NOT the same as a coroner, I now know.)
This book fills the important “debut book by author over 50” square on my Seattle Public Library 2020 Book Bingo Card.
This book fills the important “debut book by author over 50” square on my Seattle Public Library 2020 Book Bingo Card.
June 15, 2021
Everyone should own this book!! So many cautionary tales and solid medical perspective about the risks we take day-to-day: e.g., car accidents, alcohol and drug use, and how certain medical conditions make us vulnerable when coupled with certain behaviors.
I first saw "Dr. G" in reruns of her show, "Dr. G, Medical Examiner." She is such a compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable person! And it was refreshing and empowering to watch a woman as an expert in this field.
I first saw "Dr. G" in reruns of her show, "Dr. G, Medical Examiner." She is such a compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable person! And it was refreshing and empowering to watch a woman as an expert in this field.
May 13, 2018
I thought the book was both quite entertaining and informative. I was a big fan of the show on TV. Most of the advice is common sense, but far too many people don't use that a lot anymore. She also speaks to those of us that are pretty clueless about our health. Mostly from simply not getting normal preventive testing. (BP, blood sugar, and the like) It's a good book to read!
April 13, 2020
Great book
Dr. G is a highly qualified to talk about poor health issues that's preventable. The book is easy to read as there is no jargon. Her narration makes each story interesting. Since the patients are dead, it is up to Dr. G to backtrack what happened to the patients. So it like reading a mystery and you are trying to get to the conclusion.
Dr. G is a highly qualified to talk about poor health issues that's preventable. The book is easy to read as there is no jargon. Her narration makes each story interesting. Since the patients are dead, it is up to Dr. G to backtrack what happened to the patients. So it like reading a mystery and you are trying to get to the conclusion.
October 28, 2024
Interesting but relatively tame stories from an ME. Like her as a person, and I like her stories, but...
Not as helpful and a little rambling in the health advice area, and the stories in the section did not relate. Wish she had a bulleted list of points with research, and then several 'maybe relevant' stories.
Not as helpful and a little rambling in the health advice area, and the stories in the section did not relate. Wish she had a bulleted list of points with research, and then several 'maybe relevant' stories.
September 10, 2017
There are two books with the same title and hastily chose this one instead of the one I was looking for, but I'm glad I did. I thought it was interesting and I learned a lot. She's inspired me to focus more on my health and what's important.
September 16, 2017
Interesting book, never watched her show. Medical examiner brings up a lot of good points about how to take care of yourself so as not to end up on her table. By explaining what smoking, alcohol, obesity can do to one's body; she definitely leaves alot to ponder.
February 25, 2018
Ways to stay alive
This very readable book gave examples of how and why people die prematurely r through lifestyle choices. There is no finger shaking. It just makes sense to make choices to ensure the best quality of life possible.
This very readable book gave examples of how and why people die prematurely r through lifestyle choices. There is no finger shaking. It just makes sense to make choices to ensure the best quality of life possible.
August 1, 2018
OK - nicely written, though not as exciting as I'd expected. Full of solid health advice of the common sense variety (eat right, exercise, don't do drugs, pay attention to symptoms, etc.) I like the author's TV show, and the book was like a pleasant season review.
February 26, 2019
Should be a text book for teen agers
The stories about autopsies are great. However there is too much filler between with her writing about things to avoid and stuff I already know.
For a younger audience, like a high school health class it could be really helpful.
The stories about autopsies are great. However there is too much filler between with her writing about things to avoid and stuff I already know.
For a younger audience, like a high school health class it could be really helpful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 150 reviews