Famous Last Words: The Ultimate Collection of Finales and Farewells

by Robert Allen

Compulsive quote collector Laura Ward comes up with another collection of great lines and amazing phrases to equal her popular Foolish The Most Stupid Words Ever Spoken.

Entertaining and thought-provoking, this most comprehensive collection of parting lines and final goodbyes has quotes ranging from 2003 all the way back to Rome and Ancient Greece. Some are tragic, others bizarre; some have the studied tone of monumental inscription, others seem almost casual. And they’re not just dying the diverse phrases include the pronouncements of businesspeople before they got sacked, military men before they were trounced, and sports figures before they experienced the agony of defeat. Among the dying

“Well, it’s been a great game of golf, fellas.” —Bing Crosby minutes before he took ill and died.

“I expect I shall have to die beyond my means.” —Oscar Wilde accepting his final glass of champagne

" No! "—Alexander Graham Bell.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2004

Reviews

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, quick, and yet morbid little read. Interesting final quotes from lots of interesting people. The only part that didn't work were the last lines of books and movies -- the rest of the quote were from real people, so they didn't necessarily mesh well. Also, I'm not sure about the accuracy of the book. Mr. Allen says that Louisa May Alcott died of tuberculosis due to her work in the battle fields during the Civil War. However, I believe it's been proven she died of mercury poisoning. A fun and thought-provoking read.

[Child960801 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well put together volume. I would have liked an index, but it was still very interesting and usable. The quotes are divided into sections like literary figures, military men, show business, ect. There is also sections for last lines of books and movies, obituaries, and epitaphs.