Are They Dead Yet?

By far the most enjoyable book I’ve read in a long while … Sam Roberts [is] an obit writer sans pareil … If only dying itself were half as interesting. Or as funny. * Brett Stephens, New York Times *
As a one-stop history, etiquette guide, and miscellany, Are They Dead Yet? goes down like a dirgeful beach read. * Harper’s Magazine *
Pithy and engaging. * The New Yorker *
A charmingly digressive history, part-time how-to and all-around appreciation of newspaper death notices, from a master of the form. * The Chicago Tribune *
Utterly delightful … Part memoir, part history, and wholly wonderful. * Air Mail, Editors’ Choice *
“Delight­ful… Obit­u­ary-writ­ing is a seri­ous occu­pa­tion but, sur­pris­ing­ly, it also has its lighter moments. Roberts cap­tures these and pays warm-heart­ed trib­ute to his fel­low obit­u­ar­ists as well as their deserv­ing (and some­times unde­serv­ing) sub­jects. He is a genial…guide through the com­plex­i­ties of the genre. * Jewish Book Council *
A multifaceted look at the history and evolution of the obituary, and, as a byproduct, the daily newspaper industry… One of the pleasures in reading Roberts’ book is the plethora of snippets from memorable obituaries by Roberts himself, as well as others. * Atlanta Journal Constitution *
Delightful… Roberts is one of America’s most accomplished obituary writers, he is uniquely qualified to introduce readers to the language of death that has long permeated the newspaper business… Are They Dead Yet? serves as both a history lesson and a reminder of the traditions that shaped American journalism. – Steven Wenick * On Point *
Roberts examines the history, craft, and peculiarities of the obituary while asking surprisingly big questions about memory, legacy, and what makes a life worth remembering. Roberts brings plenty of wit to the subject, balancing fascinating behind-the-scenes details with thoughtful observations about the stories we choose to preserve. The result is an entertaining and unexpectedly moving exploration of mortality that ultimately becomes a celebration of the countless details that make an ordinary life extraordinary. * San Francisco Book Review *
Roberts offers a wry, witty, deeply researched survey of the art and history of the obituary, reflecting on why obituaries matter and what it’s like to be charged with writing them … Are They Dead Yet? will fascinate dyed-in the-wool New Yorkers, history buffs and media mavens alike. * Bookpage *
Lively, entertaining, deeply perceptive, and occasionally very funny…One of those books that gives us a new appreciation and greater understanding of something we thought we already knew. * Booklist *
Roberts is master not only of writing obits but also of writing about the art of writing obits. He shares the stories behind the stories, many of Jewish leaders and cultural figures, with undertones of humor. * Hadassah *
With wit, wisdom, and a touch of melancholy, New York Times obituarist Roberts…provides a thorough history of the obituary, that last homage to a life, which, he ironically notes, is often written by someone else as the final word on the deceased… An admirable read on a fascinating piece of social history. * Library Journal *
[Roberts employs] adroit use of language, wit, and observation … Readers will revel in this lively book of the dead. * Publishers Weekly *
A brisk, witty look at writing about the dead. * Kirkus *
The sad decline of local newspapers means the near-extinction of full-time obituary writers. Sam Roberts, one of the best, does a mordantly wonderful job of dissecting the delicate craft of summing up the dead. Next time you’re invited to a funeral, stay home and read this book instead. You’ll get the gist. * CARL HIAASEN, #1 New York Times bestselling author *
Sam Roberts makes death seem hilarious and positively endearing. A master of the mini-biography, Roberts reminds us of the pleasures of the obituary page. It is all about the life—and the thought occurs to me that my own departure would not be so bad if only Mr. Roberts could write the obit! * KAI BIRD, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of American Prometheus *
Sam Roberts’s Are They Dead Yet? is a must for anyone who loves obituaries. I almost died laughing. * ROZ CHAST, New York Times-bestselling author of Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? *
It can be hard to admit that obituaries are one of your favorite parts of a paper. Sam Roberts is a maestro composer of the form, and here he gives us a long, loving look into how obits are created. Oddly, this book is fun! * JOHN McWHORTER, New York Times bestselling author *
“Are They Dead Yet? is amusing, informative, anecdotal, revelatory, digressive, surprising—I could go on, but I’ll end with this: Death has never been so much fun. * DANIEL OKRENT, Pulitzer Prize finalist and first New York Times public editor *
Writing obituaries calls for a finely balanced blend of sensitivity, truth-telling, decorum, boldness, humanity, and philosophy … Few know the challenges of the job better than Sam Roberts, a (the?) leading obituary writer at The New York Times … An engrossing voyage through the practice of his trade. * ANN WROE, Obituaries Editor, The Economist *

Sam Roberts, a 50-year veteran of New York journalism, is an obituaries reporter and formerly the Urban Affairs correspondent at the New York Times. He has hosted the New York Times “Close Up” on TV and the podcasts “Only in New York,” anthologized in a book of the same name, and “The Caucus.” He is the author of The New Yorkers, A History of New York in 27 Buildings, A History of New York in 101 Objects, and Grand Central, among other books. He has written for the NYT Magazine, the New Republic, New York, Vanity Fair, Foreign Affairs, and Air Mail. A history adviser to Federal Hall, he lives in New York with his wife.

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