Famous Last Words

Over 2,000 notable parting sentiments, from Socrates and the Marquis de Sade to James Dean and Elvis Presley.

This sometimes funny, frequently moving compilation offers a glimpse at the deathbed departures of kings, courtiers, poets, painters, saints, villains, murderers, and martyrs through the ages.

Among the famous last words are Bing Crosby's breezy sign-off: ``That was a great game of golf, fellers''; Lawrence Oates' farewell to Captain Scott on his ill-fated expedition to the South Pole: ``I'm just going out. I may be some time...'' and Civil War commander General Sedgewick's final miscalculation: ``They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist--'' A fascinating record of our final thoughts at the brink of the unimaginable.

Jonathon Green is a noted lexicographer and the author of many books, including Slang Down the Ages.