The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy To Sara Bershtel Contents Title Page Copyright Notice Dedication Epigraph Introduction 1 The Independent Self • 2 Things Fall Apart • 3 Dependence • 4 Assistance • 5 A Better Life • 6 Letting Go • 7 Hard Conversations • 8 Courage • Epilogue Notes on Sources Acknowledgements Also by Atul Gawande About the Author Copyright I see it now—this world is swiftly passing. —the warrior Karna, in the Mahabharata