{"product_id":"the-american-death-revisited-by-jessica-mitford","title":"The American Way of Death Revisited - Investigative","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review the reviewer recommends The American Way of Death Revisited for readers who want a clear, rigorous account of the modern funeral industry and its pitfalls. Jessica Mitford's revised classic combines sharp investigation with biting humor, and the single biggest reason to buy is its ability to translate complex consumer abuses into readable, actionable insight about death care. Several customers describe it as essential and eye-opening, and this review concurs that the book remains a valuable resource for anyone facing funeral decisions or researching industry practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThorough investigation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mitford offers meticulous reporting that exposes pricing, marketing and lobbying practices so readers understand how consumers can be exploited.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRevised edition:\u003c\/strong\u003e The updated text addresses late-20th-century trends such as inflated cremation costs and the rise of corporate consolidation, keeping the material relevant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReadable tone:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author balances serious documentation with sharp wit, making difficult subject matter easier to absorb and remember.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConsumer protection impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e The original book led to legislation and this edition explains how policy and industry responses affect grieving families today.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePractical examples:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book details sales practices like telemarketing of pay-in-advance graves, giving concrete scenarios readers can recognize and avoid.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho should read it:\u003c\/strong\u003e This book is best for Americans researching end-of-life arrangements, students of investigative journalism, consumer advocates, and people who want to make informed choices when planning funerals or cremations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho should look elsewhere:\u003c\/strong\u003e Readers seeking a how-to guide on grief counseling or devotional spiritual guidance may find this primarily investigative work less focused on emotional support and should pair it with grief-specific titles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEye-opening reporting that many customers call essential for anyone dealing with funeral planning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEntertaining and readable prose that turns a grim topic into engaging narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWell-researched history and updated commentary on lobbying and corporate influence in the death-care industry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe focus is investigative rather than therapeutic, so it offers limited practical emotional guidance for grieving readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThe American Way of Death Revisited\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJessica Mitford\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEdition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRevised and updated version\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSubject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInvestigative journalism on the funeral industry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTopics covered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCremation costs, telemarketing graves, industry lobbying, corporate monopolies\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eImpact\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eInfluenced consumer protection legislation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMitford's revised classic remains a compelling, high-value read for anyone who wants to understand how the funeral industry operates and how to avoid costly mistakes. Its combination of exhaustive reporting and dark humor makes it both informative and surprisingly engaging, so consumers and advocates will find it worth consulting before making end-of-life financial decisions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this edition updated?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the text was thoroughly revised to address new trends like inflated cremation costs and expanded industry lobbying.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this book help with emotional grief?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt focuses on industry practices and consumer protection rather than grief counseling, so pair it with grief support resources if emotional guidance is needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book well researched?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, customers and reviewers repeatedly note the exhaustive reporting and clear documentation throughout the book.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jessica Mitford","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46796699074779,"sku":"0679771867","price":16.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71wRV67xv7L._SL1183.jpg?v=1747474608","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/the-american-death-revisited-by-jessica-mitford","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}