I had to figure out which book I owned had an "ugly" cover for the Bingo card. I ended up diving into The Thing About Life Is That One Day You'll Be Dead by David Shields, which has been sitting on the Kindle for a very long time. I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle it as my own parents are about the age of Shields' father. He figures largely in this odd memoir that combines details about how we are born, age and die with memories of his curmudgeonly dad. In the end, I enjoyed it although parts could be depressing if you dwell too much on the inevitable end of us all. The message I took was to do as much as you can as long as you can but try not, as many of us do, deny that inevitably. Shields comments at one point that humans often face the deaths of others but somehow believe they will not die. Interesting paradox.

Very inventive and unique style. Bits of narrative and memoir were wrapped up in multiple facts of life and death and the human body, with quotes liberally sprinkled in. I can see why some people would roll their eyes at such a book, but I thought it was quite fun despite being a book about death. ( )

Shields uses facts and statistics to distance himself from the emotions he feels about his father. Interspersed stories about their lives show the competitiveness he feels toward him. He also tries to show how closely sex and death are tied together.
Not a very rewarding read. ( )

This is an unusual book. The author combines myriads of statistics related to human physiological development with reminiscences and current stories about his father. He even includes some stories about his daughter in the first part of the book.

Frankly, its a bit of a mishmash. However, he makes it work with the his (I assume) very honest and personal reflections about his father. ( )

The thing about this book is that sometimes it annoys. I actually decided to stop reading it when I was halfway through. But the other thing about this book is that often it's very interesting. Probably it's about half and half, and the half you like better (or the half you'll find annoying) will depend on what kind of writing you respond to.

There are roughly three modes of discourse in the book: the personal/family memoir, the straight scientific fact, and the liberal heaping doses of quotations from others.

The aspects of personal memoir are generally rather interesting. Shields's discussion of life as a quick progression toward sexual maturity and a long, long decline toward death is framed by a kind of sketchy dual biography of himself and his father. It's easy to see why he is fixated on his father, who is 97 at the time of the book's writing. He's a colorful guy, personable, quick with a story, and unrelenting in his desire to live as long as possible.

The scientific facts are often interesting, sometimes depressing in their bare expression of our biological condition. I often found these quite thought-provoking, although at times they provoked thoughts that preferred not to be disturbed. Anyone who is distinctly uncomfortable with contemplating his or her own mortality is hereby warned not to pick up this book. At other times, the litany of facts about the human body, how it matures, perpetuates its genetic code, and eventually breaks down feel too unleavened by some other voice. Fact after fact after fact can weigh on the reader, and after a while I felt justified in skimming some portions.

Finally, the cascade of quotes often have the same effect the scientific facts have. In fact, this is the least engaging aspect of the book. While Shields has plucked many excellent quotes and arranged them in a kind of conversation among themselves at times, this method felt unmediated by an authorial presence at times. Given that his more recent book, Reality Hunger, plays up this mode, it's clear he intended something like this. Perhaps in time this will seem brilliant. For now, given that I'm still very much attached to the kinds of storytelling traditions that Shields seems to find outmoded and restricting, this is where we part ways. I more often skimmed the quotes than I did the science, because, while there is a similar sense in both modes of reading an unmediated recitation of someone else's words, science has a tendency toward a direct, somewhat generic tone. I feel less assaulted by an array of literary "talking heads" when Shields layers on the facts, even if a glance at the source material would suggest he's operating at the same scant level of intervention in both cases.

Having been as annoyed as I've been with this book, I can't give it a particularly high rating. But since I found it compelling enough to come back to it even after quitting it, I can't give it a particularly low rating. Readers seem very much split on this one, either loving it or hating it. I did both in turn, so I'll land in the middle and hope that suggests both the worthwhile benefits of the book and the drawback inherent in its idiosyncratic execution. And in case you're on the fence, I'll reiterate the conclusion that's already featured prominently in the title: Everybody dies, even you. ( )

Despite both positive and negative reviews regarding this book and its subject, I think it is worth reading. I explain why, among other things, here: http://mewlhouse.hubpages.com/hub/One-Day-You-Will-Be-Dead ( )

When people ask me, “What do people mean when they talk about personal essay?” I can do no better than refer them to this book.

David Shields combines info about the gradual decline and decay of the body with stories about his own life at fifty-one and stories about the life of his father, now 97.

Absolutely mesmerizing. I loved this book. ( )

I couldn't figure out what this was: memoir? biology lesson? All the same, it was grandly entertaining. Shields' love for his father is quite evident, and his stories and memories weave an interesting tangle in this book. On the other hand, Shields spends a great deal of time talking about mammalian biology, sex, attraction, procreation, and, well, death. This book is a study of the human mindset of death, and our complete inability to embrace aging, if you will. I enjoyed reading this book. ( )

An interesting weave of memoir and meditation on death with sprinklings of memento mori quotations throughout. [full review] ( )

Shields takes us through the stages of life, from birth to death (with a special emphasis on death), throwing out facts and statistics about human biology and quotations from everyone from Shakespeare to Seinfeld, interspersing them with reminiscences from his own life and thoughts about his 97-year-old father, with whom he has a complicated relationship. It's an odd book, and it should come across as a self-indulgent mishmash, but it's strangely compelling, and the whole is somehow more profound than the sum of its parts. ( )

"The Thing about life is that one Day You'll be Dead" is the book by David Shields, the balding, middle aged writer who has pain in several parts of his body and is coming face to face with the one thing every man, woman and child on the planet shares, death. No matter how rich, or how poor, how gorgeous or how hideous, we all die. It is just the natural way of things. The circle of life is the inevitability that everyone must come to terms with. Some of us gracefully and some of us kicking and screaming until the bitter end.

First, let me say, I read this book in three days. While some of you might do this kind of thing on a regular basis, it is no longer the norm for me. With kids, work, my personal writing, etc. reading is a luxury that has eluded my grasp more times than not the past few months. In this book, I thoroughly enjoyed the way David wove factual anatomical data with his own personal experiences and intertwined a few celebrity quotations in the mix so much I couldn’t put it down. It is both educational as it is biographical, which was a unique perspective when dealing with the rise and fall of the human species.

David, as we all are is different from his father and at the same time very similar. His father lived to be 105 years old, was obsessed with his physical well being and spent his entire life dealing with depression. Both father and son are, or were, keenly focused on sports and as with any hobby that a person enjoys it at times gives you an emotional outlet and connection you are not always expecting. It always seems the stubborn crotchety people are the ones who find a way to make it well into their old age, just by their refusal to give in or step aside.

I will say the factual tidbits, (on one occasion there were two pages listing every channel and what was on TV at the time) lost me as pointless. It was a little overdone. The celebrity quotes got to be a little monotonous as well on occasion, but the majority of the novel had me mesmerized by its personal feel even while letting me know how eating a hamburger and fries was killing off all my vital organs. While it might be too late for me to make a large impact on my personal longevity I still enjoyed the book immensely.

If you happen to be somebody obsessed with death, this book is a must read. If you are a person obsessed with life then I would say ditto. If you are just the average Joe I still think you will find it engaging and very entertaining as well as enlightening. For all of us who fell asleep in health class as a teenager you might be surprised how many things you missed. The next time you order that brownie and ice cream for dessert keep in mind how many hours of your life you are sacrificing for that enjoyment. Then again, you might get hit by a bus on the way home so who really cares.

Great book and I would highly recommend it. ( )

Amazing book about the process of death, or living. Whoever recommended this to me, thank you! ( )

Interesting book that juxtaposes life events (an "ordinary" man and his aging dad) with science. What does get a little tiresome are the ongoing references to David Shield's own athletic prowess - it actually detracted from the essence of the story. So while this had an opportunity to be a really insightful book it is misses the opportunity to really connect with the reader in a lasting way. Good library read but you won't need more than 2-3 days ( )

It was an okay-ish book. All in all, it seemed like a way to btch and make money at the same time. There was some insight, but more whining. Some information, more whining. A few statistics, more whining. It got a little bit tedious after the first four chapters. 1 out of 5 reasons I never accept the main selections from my book clubs. ( )

i really liked this. lots of info. got me thinking about dying and not having to die. ( )

I don't know how David Shields puts up with his dad, but I do know this: his dad is related to my boyfriend. They're both exasperating. Thank you, David, for the field guide -- it helps tremendously. ( )

Lovely weave of the author's father's overwhelming presence and his inevitable decline, wedded to facts and figures about the physical human condition. I know it sounds hokey, but really it is greatly tempered by the science. The beach was a lovely location for reading this one- it forced me to stare at waves and contemplate existence more than once. A book that makes an American style "vacation" actually feel like a vacation. Refreshing. ( )

I enjoyed this book. As a 55 year old man, it provided me an opportunity to reminisce about my youth and look ahead (gulp) as to what I can expect in the near future. It was a very easy read. I liked the quotes and anecedotes regarding how we age. ( )

As I have had a lifelong curiosity about mortality, I thought this book would be an excellent match for my interests. It was compelling in parts to read about Shields' youth and his father's tenaciousness, but overall the effect is of a very elaborate PowerPoint presentation: I've walked away with facts, but no theme. ( )

About: A mix of biography and trivia. Shields covers life from birth to death by providing facts and quotes as well as focusing on his own father's life.

Pros: The biography parts about Shields and his father are mostly interesting, as are the multitude of facts provided (such as older folks tend to think a comfy temperature is 10 to 15 degrees higher than the younger crowd). A nice guide to the aging process. Gives a nice perspective on the impressiveness as well as frailty of human body.

Cons: In a book with tons of facts and quotes, not a single source is cited. Facts come rapid fire with no analysis which leaves much to be desired. Biographical information can err on the side of too revealing (do I really need to know his penis length?)

Grade: C ( )