Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Unavailable
    Death Be Not Proud
    Unavailable
    Death Be Not Proud
    Unavailable
    Death Be Not Proud
    Ebook204 pages4 hours

    Death Be Not Proud

    By John J. Gunther

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    "If courage is the antidote to pain and grief, the disease and the cure are both in this book. . . . A story of great unselfishness and great heroism." —New York Times

    Johnny Gunther was only seventeen years old when he died of a brain tumor. During the months of his illness, everyone near him was unforgettably impressed by his level-headed courage, his wit and quiet friendliness, and, above all, his unfaltering patience through times of despair. This deeply moving book is a father's memoir of a brave, intelligent, and spirited boy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateMar 26, 2013
    ISBN9780062284495
    Unavailable
    Death Be Not Proud
    Author

    John J. Gunther

    John Gunther (1901-1970) was one of the best known and most admired journalists of his day. The author of the immensely popular Inside books—a series of profiles of major world powers, beginning with Inside Europe, published in 1936—he was born on the north side of Chicago and died on May 29, 1970.

    Related to Death Be Not Proud

    Related ebooks

    Literary Biographies For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    Reviews for Death Be Not Proud

    4/5

    369 ratings17 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 5/5
      John Gunther, a journalist, wrote this book about his teenaged son Johnny's battle with a brain tumor and his ultimate death. Gunther writes without sentimentality about his son's intelligence and kindness, and how throughout his 15-month battle with cancer he maintained a determination to continue his studies, pursued the path toward healing set down by his doctors, and impressed all those in whom in came in contact with his determination and remarkable attitude. The genuine goodness of this very young man makes his ultimate death the more heartbreaking. Gunther also presents a wonderful picture of the relationship Johnny has with his mother, Gunther's ex-wife. The conversations between mother and son are remarkable and it seems clear he learned much of his equanimity from her. I recommend this book to anyone.
    • 5/5
      I originally read this book as a high school junior and it made a significant impact on my life. I experienced a family member's death dearly in my childhood, and while it was not a pediatric death, I felt everything that Johnny Gunther felt. As a future nurse, I also paid attention to how he described the care he received. I have never forgotten this book.
    • 4/5
      Inspiring book of author's son who dies from cancer yet graduates from high school and completes other goals while suffering.
    • 5/5
      Deeply moving, true story relates a father's recollection of his son's courageous and spirited battle against the brain tumor that would take his life at the age of seventeen.
    • 4/5
      A well-written tear- jerker. I read this as a teen and at that time really liked it. I wonder if I would now.
    • 3/5
      Cancer and the death of a child are never easy topics. However, I found John Gunther and his son to be pretentious. Just because you have everything in life doesn't mean you won't suffer.
    • 3/5
      John Gunther's memoir of pain surrounding his son, Johnny's cancer, treatment, struggle, life pursuits, and eventually death. The book itself is basically the Foreword expanded from 19 pages to 198 and for the most part fairly shallow. The subject is a painful one as it's a parents nightmare for their child to die before them and John does an OK job describing the events leading up to it, but it wasn't until the final eleven pages that are written by Frances, John's ex-wife and mother to Johnny, that one realizes the depth John could have taken it. The book itself is known for Johnny's prayer he wrote called An Unbeliever's Prayer. If the book were edited down to John's Foreword and Frances' final pages I would have rated it a 4-5 stars, as it is I can only give it a 2.
    • 5/5
      As did most people, I read this in High School. I would re-read it whenever I was certain that my parents hated me or vice versa, get weepy, then carry on. Gunther had an honest quality in this book that brings you to reality.
    • 5/5
      I vaguely remembered reading Gunther's tribute to his son early in my high school years. Decades later, shortly after my best friend died at age 37 of a brain tumor, I stumbled upon a yellowed copy of "Death Be Not Proud" at a roadside sale. I didn't even quite remember what it was about, but I bought it. After reading about Johnny's valiant struggle with a brain tumor, I was struck by the familiarity of it all. The author skillfully captured so many of the emotions, including the cruel roller coaster of hope and hopelessness. Most of all, the book vividly illustrates how courage, friendship and even humor can help to make even a "hopeless" situation memorable and meaningful.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I first read this book in 1964. Back then it was about a boy my age who died. I read it again in 2000 when my fifteen-year-old daughter read it for school. And the book had changed -- now it was about a parent my age who lost a child my child's age. John Gunther was trained as a journalist in the first half of the twentieth century. Very personal memoirs about an emotional experience were not the style at all then. This book is an early example of the genre, and I can see Gunther's training on every page. Even with the restraint, it is a powerful testament by a parent who has suffered the ultimate tragedy.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Wonderfully written true account by a father losing his son. The story encapsulates the battle between life and death. Johnny is only 17 when he dies of a brain tumor; he never loses hope and puts the interests of others ahead of himself always. Bittersweet.
    • 5/5
      John Gunther obviously poured his heart and soul into this heartbreaking yet inspiring account of his teenage son's fatal battle with a brain tumor -- but in a restrained, thoughtful way. He is a true wordsmith and his literary skill in combination with his emotional investment make for a truly moving, memorable read.
    • 5/5
      Death Be Not Proud, is a very melancholic and mournful book about Gunther a teenage boy who has a brain tumor at the age of only 17. This book really touched me since my godfather, has the same condition of glioblastoma. Gunther was a young smart boy with many aspirations of becoming successful in his life and really how much enthusiasm to others. He is a courageous young spirit who you will see on throughout the book and he even tries to get the girl of his dreams. This book really shows you how life's important and you should always treasure every last breath you take. The memoir has many snippets from Gunther's journal and his mom and dad's sort of point of view. It's a really good read, and I'm hardly emotional yet it made me cry. When Johnny gets more sick, you still see the light shine through his soul. Johnny's father wanted Johnny's courage and hope to live so he published the book. It's a very whole-hearted story and you really absorb everything what Johnny is feeling. It's just something about adolescene dying young that just really washes a whole gloomy expression on my face. No child should ever go through what Johnny did. It just made me unconfortable about how raw it was during his illness.Let Johnny's spirit be free.- Paulina
    • 3/5
      Read this when it first came out, 1965, recommended by my childhood friend, Janice Wendy; it was horrifying to read as a young girl; to think that such a thing could happen to one.
    • 5/5
      A brilliant author chronicles the battle fought by his equally brilliant son against a brain tumor. The treatments back then were much different that today's, but the courage and heart Johnny showed know no time period.
    • 3/5
      this book is really depressing, i kept getting freaked out after reading it, looking for any sign that i might have cancer
    • 3/5
      A touching story, but lacking emotion.