The first memories of interesting flying experiences were while I was stationed at Point Mugu, California, in the late ‘60s. When those were captured on paper, my daughter suggested expanding the notes to include stories about our family, my introduction to aviation in the U.S. Navy, the medical years thereafter, and my return to flying again.

A powerful, timely exploration of the art of living and dying on our own terms by one of Australia’s most respected voices Of all the experiences we share, two universal events bookend our lives: we were all born and we will all die. We don't have a choice in how we enter the world but we can have a say in how we leave it. In order to die well, we must be prepared to contemplate our mortality and to broach it with our loved ones, who are often called upon to make important decisions on our behalf. These are some of the most important conversations we can have with each other - to find peace, kindness and gratitude for what has gone before, and acceptance of what is to come. Dr Ranjana Srivastava draws on two decades of experience to share her observations and advice on leading a meaningful life and finding dignity and composure at the end. With an emphasis on advocacy, leaving a legacy and staying true to our deepest convictions, Srivastava tells stories of strength, hope and resilience in the face of grief and offers an optimistic meditation on approaching the end of life. Intelligent, warm and deeply affecting, A Better Death is a passionate exploration of the art of living and dying well. Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM is a practising oncologist, award-winning writer, broadcaster and Fulbright scholar. See www.ranjanasrivastava.com

The first memories of interesting flying experiences were while I was stationed at Point Mugu, California, in the late '60s. When those were captured on paper, my daughter suggested expanding the notes to include stories about our family, my introduction to aviation in the U.S. Navy, the medical years thereafter, and my return to flying again.

The book is about the varied incidents that Roma has experienced in over her eighty-five years. Roma came from somewhat straightened beginnings. Her father was a gold miner, only returning to his home many kilometers away in another state once or twice a year. She was an intelligent child who loved all creatures large and small sometimes a little too well. Her education was a double major at her university in medicine and geology, but family circumstances caused her to have to choose between them partway through her studies. She was the youngest and first female geologist appointed to the government mines section and was sent all over Australia prospecting and examining mining areas. Her adventures along the way make for very amusing and interesting reading. It clearly shows her sense of the ridiculous and also the unexplained in this country. Her downtime between contracts allowed her to do research on a great many science subjects, many of which she gained diplomas from.

A study based on detailed conversations with nine terminally ill people and their caretakers, focusing on how participants lived their daily lives, understood their illnesses, coped with pain and other symptoms, and searched for meaning or spiritual growth in the last months of life. The authors believe that informal caregiving by relatives and close friends is an enormous and often invisible resource that deserves close public attention. They identify how families, professionals and communities can respond to challenges of terminal illness such as palliative care, quality of life, financial hardship, grief, and communications with medical personnel. Annotation copyrighted by Book News Inc., Portland, OR