Synopses & Reviews
Last Rights is a compassionate, comprehensive, up-to-the-minute examination of the right-to-die movement in America and the medical, legal, ethical, and social issues surrounding euthanasia. The stories behind the headlines are revealed - both (in)famous and lesser known - through stirring personal testimonies. Airing the views of activists and opponents, Sue Woodman considers the complex questions that will continue to engage us for as long as we live and die. In the end, we are left with this question: Could the right to die be humankind's ultimate civil rights struggle?
Synopsis
"Last Rights is a compassionate, comprehensive, up-to-the-minute examination of the right-to-die movement in America and the medical, legal, ethical, and social issues surrounding euthanasia. The stori"
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 201-205) and index.
About the Author
Sue Woodman is a freelance journalist who specializes in health and social issues for a number of national magazines including Allure, New Woman, Ms., and McCalls. She also writes features for U.S. and British publications such as The Nation, The Independent of London, and the Manchester Guardian. For many years Woodman was a New York correspondent for BBC domestic and world service radio and UNICEF radio worldwide.
Table of Contents
The Twentieth-century battle over death -- The anguish of a difficult death -- Death with dignity -- The right to die -- Foreign rights -- Dr. Death -- The leading activists and their obsessive quest -- The rank and file -- The medical establishment -- Rational suicide -- Suspicion and fear from the vulnerable -- Religion and ethics -- The devil is in the details: navigating the nightmare cases.