On My Own Audiobook By Diane Rehm cover art

On My Own

A Memoir

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On My Own

By: Diane Rehm
Narrated by: Diane Rehm
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In a deeply personal and moving book, the beloved NPR radio host speaks out about the long drawn-out death (from Parkinson’s) of her husband of fifty-four years, and of her struggle to reconstruct her life without him.

With John gone, Diane was indeed “on her own,” coping with the inevitable practical issues and, more important, with the profoundly emotional ones. What to do, how to react, reaching out again into the world—struggling to create a new reality for herself while clinging to memories of the past. Her focus is on her own roller-coaster experiences, but she has also solicited the moving stories of such recently widowed friends as Roger Mudd and Susan Stamberg, which work to expose the reader to a remarkable range of reactions to the death of a spouse.

John’s unnecessarily extended death—he begged to be helped to die—culminated in his taking matters into his own hands, simply refusing to take water, food, and medication. His heroic actions spurred Diane into becoming a kind of poster person for the “right to die” movement that is all too slowly taking shape in our country. With the brave determination that has characterized her whole life, she is finding a meaningful new way to contribute to the world.

Her book—as practical as it is inspiring—will be a help and a comfort to the recently bereaved, and a beacon of hope about the possibilities that remain to us as we deal with our own approaching mortality. Biographies & Memoirs Grief & Loss Memoir Personal Development Relationships

Critic reviews

Praise for Diane Rehm’s
ON MY OWN

"Important…poignant"
—Miami Herald

"A deeply felt and thoughtfully written account...Rehm writes candidly about her husband’s decision to die when Parkinson’s disease had deprived him of the ability to 'in any way care for himself on his own'...Clear, moving and completely honest…Diane Rehm has again found her voice, and, as she has always done, she speaks passionately and courageously about issues that concern us all."
—Reeve Lindberg, Washington Post

"Rehm walks readers through the most recent year of her life, struggling with living alone and figuring out a new identity."
—Philadelphia Inquirer

"About her late husband’s battle with Parkinson’s disease and how she rebuilt her life without him after 54 years of marriage. She writes about the practical challenges, emotional pain and her involvement in the right-to-die movement."
—Leonard Lopate, WNYC
All stars
Most relevant
inspirational; motivational; honest; thought provoking; heart warming and courageous. A not to be missed read.

A story to cherish...

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Interesting and fascinating life , emotionally honest and brave regarding fears and trials of her journey. A bit tough due to redundancy and slow parts that circle same concept. If edited better would be A+!

Good to get to know DR, but ...

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While many reviewers here feel that the organization of the chapters, which vary from before and after her husband’s death, results in a confusing narrative, I found that it allowed me to better empathize with the terrible grief that she experienced.

I haven’t experienced a loss like hers, but I can imagine that it feels as though you are walking through a daze, constantly reliving the past with the person who is gone, while trying to make sense of a present that doesn’t feel real. Thank you Diane for this incredibly intimate and honest accounting of your loss.

Diane’s Chaotic Structure Puts You In Her Shoes

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The Diane Rehm show was a favorite of mine when we lived in DC and now I am so glad I can listen to her podcast.

This book is such an accurate account of the many aspects of grief and a personal look into her own grieving and also her marriage and family life. I loved this book and would recommend it highly.

The Grief Journey

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Five years after the death of my husband I felt gratitude over and over as I listened to Diane's honest assessment of her marriage and her life without her husband. I felt I was listening to a trusted friend.

The experience of being a widow

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