The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker

Jun 2005 · Blackstone Audio Inc. · Narrated by Raymond Todd

About this audiobook

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1974 and the culmination of a life’s work, The Denial of Death is Ernest Becker’s brilliant and impassioned answer to the “why” of human existence. In bold contrast to the predominant Freudian school of thought, Becker tackles the problem of the vital lie: man’s refusal to acknowledge his own mortality. In doing so, he sheds new light on the nature of humanity and issues a call to life and its living that still resonates half a century after its publication.

The Denial of Death was the last book Dr. Becker published before his own premature death in 1974. His insightful and powerful ideas are sure to last for generations.

Ratings and reviews

The science is old and disproven. Ideas are simple but over intellectualised. All you need to read is the last chapter. Anti science in an unhealthy way. Maybe it was interesting in the 70's but there are more incitful thinkers today. Read Daniel Dennet insted.

Probably one of the most interesting books I've heard. The narrator is probably the best I have heard. His mildly melodic diction makes you think he may have written it, so in tune is he with punctuation and "down notes". I found the content herein to be very important to consider. While a lot of this was surprising, it was also "self evident", in a sense, after the fact. Uncommon sense, if you will. If you scoff at Freud, the first section may be arduous, but I assure you it's no love letter

excellent work. sort of entertaining. very insightful. thank you, Mr. Becker.

About the author

Dr. Ernest Becker (1924–1974) received a PhD in cultural anthropology from Syracuse University. He taught at the University of California at Berkeley, San Francisco State College, and Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is survived by his wife, Marie, and a foundation that bears his name, The Ernest Becker Foundation.

Raymond Todd is an actor and director in the theater as well as a poet and documentary filmmaker. He plays jazz trombone for the Leatherstocking quartet, an ensemble that gets its name from one of his favorite Blackstone narrations, The Deerslayer. Todd lives in New York.