No decent human being would allow an animal to suffer without putting it out of its misery. It is only to human beings that human beings are so cruel as to allow them to live in pain, and hopelessness, in living death, without moving a muscle to help them. It is against such attitudes that this book fights. Isaac Asimov

The practicalities of self-deliverance and assisted suicide for the dying

Derek Humphry certainly had the best of intentions when he wrote this book, and he also knew what he was talking about, having assisted in the suicides of both his wife and his father-in-law. I have to say, I whole-heartedly agree with the sentiment that it’s sometimes more humane to end life than to unnecessarily prolong it if a person is suffering, and it’s a shame that radical Christianity has made that illegal in this country. I liked how Humphry explains everything from practical considerations to the correct lethal dosages with various kinds of pills. I do think that he focuses a little too much on his preferred solution, pills (with trashbag assist), when to get those pills in the quantities required one would have to find a sympathetic doctor willing to risk his license. I’m not sure if the book is dated at this point now that it’s 25 years old, and his writing style is certainly not going to win any awards. It would be interesting to see this book updated and perhaps broadened, but I have to hand it to people like Humphry and Dr. Jack Kevorkian - they were pioneers in a movement that I have to believe will ultimately succeed, making this time in history, when we artificially keep people alive so that they can suffer great pain because we don’t want to “play God”, appear like the Dark Ages to future generations. ( )

This was a gift from a dying friend. It is the self help book to end of life dying and choices. I agree with other comments, grim but required reading.I thought this book had stopped publishing in late 90's. Will have to get an updated copy. ( )

Somewhat dated (1991), but good overview of the assisted suicide movement. Begins with why people would justifiably choose to end their life & the political history in the US, moves into how to request assistance from a doctor, and ends with some prescription methods. Humphry stresses involvement of family or friends (the belief that one should not die alone) and gives suggestions for preventing legal liability because of one's presence. The book is written with an eye to the author's own liability & reiterates that he does not advocate this option for other than terminal illness, tho he does recognize the grey area of people who have progressive dementia & wish to end their life before they are unable to make any choice. He does not give non-prescription drug advice because he does not want to promote suicide in other cases.
Has index, recommended reading, & description of The Hemlock Society (which no longer exists as a national org, according to wikipedia, tho state groups exist, and a org website using the name of this book exists as well as one called comapssionandchoices). ( )