The Unknown Country: Death in Australia, Britain, and the USA – Edited by Kathy Charmaz, Glennys Howarth & Allan Kellehear (1997)

Editors:
Kathy Charmaz, Glennys Howarth, Allan Kellehear

Publisher:
St. Martin's Press, New York, 1997

Format:
Hardcover with dust jacket

Pages:
xv, 268 pages

ISBN:
9780312165451/0312165455

Condition:
Near Fine – Light wear to dust jacket; internally clean and tightly bound

Description:
A profound cross-cultural exploration of how death is perceived, represented, and ritualised in three distinct Western societies—Australia, Britain, and the United States. The Unknown Country brings together 18 scholarly essays that investigate historical, artistic, literary, sociological, and bioethical perspectives on death, dying, grief, and mourning. From wartime trauma and suicide to funerary practices and media portrayals, this volume provides a comprehensive examination of death’s social dimensions across cultures.

Contributors include notable academics such as Allan Kellehear, Kathy Charmaz, Glennys Howarth, Peter Jupp, Tony Walter, and others, offering insights into the cultural narratives and institutional responses that shape our experiences of death.

Why You'll Love It:
This is a vital resource for students and professionals in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, and death studies. It also holds strong appeal for those interested in the historical and emotional treatment of death in Australian society. Rare in hardcover, this edition is perfect for academic collectors and readers seeking a deeper understanding of mortality through a comparative lens.