Every Third Thought: On Life, Death, and the Endgame

Every Third Thought is a deeply personal book of reflection and conversation, with brain surgeons, psychologists, hospice workers, and patients, writers, and poets, confronting the existential question of how to make peace with dying in a world where we have learned to live well at all costs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 12 July 2018
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Every Third Thought is a remarkable book that has left a lasting impression on me. It is a moving, intellectual, and unsentimental exploration of the human experience. I believe that this book has the potential to become a classic, resonating with readers for generations to come.

Melvyn Bragg, in his review of Every Third Thought for BBC Radio 4's Book of the Week, aptly describes it as "thoughtful, subtle, elegantly clever, and oddly joyous." Bragg highlights the book's ability to provoke thought and evoke emotions, stating that it is "beautiful."

Kate Mosse, another prominent reviewer, praises Every Third Thought for its "thoughtful, subtle, elegantly clever, and oddly joyous" nature. Mosse describes the book as "beautiful" and praises McCrum's writing style, stating that it is "a deeply personal book of reflection and conversation."

The story of Every Third Thought revolves around Robert McCrum's life after suffering a dramatic and near-fatal stroke at the age of forty-two. Since that life-changing event, McCrum has lived in the shadow of death, constantly aware of his own mortality. However, as he enters his sixties, he notices a change: his friends are joining him in that shadow. Death has become his contemporaries, and McCrum reflects on this existential truth in his book.

Every Third Thought takes readers on a journey towards death itself, accompanied by the words of McCrum's favorite authors. The book explores various perspectives on death, including those of brain surgeons, psychologists, hospice workers, patients, writers, and poets. It confronts the existential question: In a world where we have learned to live well at all costs, can we make peace with dying?

McCrum's writing is insightful, poignant, and often humorous. He weaves together personal anecdotes, philosophical reflections, and insights from experts in the field of death and dying. The book is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the power of storytelling to transcend the boundaries of life and death.

Every Third Thought is a deeply personal book of reflection and conversation, with brain surgeons, psychologists, hospice workers, and patients sharing their experiences and perspectives. McCrum's writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to connect with the characters and their journeys.

One of the most powerful aspects of Every Third Thought is its ability to evoke emotions. McCrum's writing is tender and poignant, and he captures the complexities of the human experience, including the fear of death, the importance of living fully, and the beauty of the natural world. The book reminds us of the preciousness of life and the need to embrace the unknown.

In conclusion, Every Third Thought is a remarkable book that has left a lasting impression on me. It is a moving, intellectual, and unsentimental exploration of the human experience. I believe that this book has the potential to become a classic, resonating with readers for generations to come. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in exploring the existential questions of life and death.

Weight: 188g
Dimension: 131 x 196 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509815296