This book was originally published in 1969, and is one of the foundational teaching texts in the death care industry. Dr. Ross is one of the first authors to chronicle the dying process from both a medical and psychological perspective.
The most quoted passages of the book are the descriptions of the stages of adjustment dying people experience: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. Almost all the training programs in this field make use of these stage descriptions in their curriculum. Numerous case studies and interviews included in this book add additional context.
Whether you are interested in the death care field or are a companion to someone facing their own mortality, "On Death and Dying" is a must read.