Rating: 
Summary: Clear, simple, but very limited information.
Review: "Final Exit" has strengths and weaknesses as a how-to book (this is not a review of its philosophy). The writing is clear, simple, and compassionate. However, its useful information is limited to drug overdose and plastic bag asphyxia. A much more wide rangeing, thorough, and interesting book on the same subject is Geo Stone's "Suicide and Attempted Suicide: Methods and Consequences." I would suggest reading both of them.
Rating:
Summary: Clear, simple, but very limited information.
Review: "Final Exit" has strengths and weaknesses as a how-to book (this is not a review of its philosophy). The writing is clear, simple, and compassionate. However, its useful information is limited to drug overdose and plastic bag asphyxia. A much more wide rangeing, thorough, and interesting book on the same subject is Geo Stone's "Suicide and Attempted Suicide: Methods and Consequences." I would suggest reading both of them.
Rating: 
Summary: Hastened death requires careful planning
Review: 'Final Exit' contains information about which are the best drugs to use in both self-deliverance and assisted suicide to escape a terminal illness at the end. They are prescription drugs because only these are reliably lethal. Such a release from terminal suffering requires careful advance planning.
Rating: 
Summary: Significant book
Review: 'Final Exit' is an invaluable book for those with terminal illness who wish to consider self-deliverance (hastened death). This is a choice any mature adult should have. Until the laws are changed in every state to permit physician-assisted suicide, this book will have to do. I found it a most interesting 'how to' book.
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Respects People's Choices About Dying
Review: +++++
After I read this book (first edition published in 1991) by Derek Humphry, I read some reviews of it on this site as well as on other sites. In many cases, I wondered whether a particular reviewer read the same book as I did! There seems to be some confusion as to the purpose of this book.
I think the confusion stems from a lack of understanding of two terms. "Suicide" is deliberately ending one's life. It is usually an irrational act. (For the record, I don't believe in irrational suicide.) "Self-Deliverance" is the action of an irreversible ill person (such as a person who is hopelessly ill or is terminally ill) who makes a rational, voluntary decision to end his/her own life.
The second of these two definitions is what this book is about. In the author's own words: "Please respect the true intensions of [this book]: the right of a terminally ill person with unbearable suffering to know how to choose to die."
Thus, this book is not for the depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal. The author elaborates: "I ask people with suicidal thoughts to share them with family or friends and if this does not help, to call one of the hot lines or help lines listed in their local telephone books."
There is an argument that the above three types of people might use the information in this book for their own early demise (despite the book's warnings) and therefore it should not have been published. But this is like saying tall buildings (or cars or bridges or etc.) should not be built because those with the intension of suicide might use them for an early demise. The fact is a suicidal person will always find a way.
Also, this book is not for the religious. The author, again, elaborates: "If the reader of this book is deeply religious, and takes all guidance from a divinity, then there is no point in reading [this book]. [As well], all I [the author] ask of persons to whom any form of euthanasia [or assisted dying] is morally repugnant is tolerance and understanding of the feelings of others who want the right to choose what happens to their [dying] bodies in a free society." Thus, "this book assumes the reader's ethical acceptance of the right to choose to die when terminally ill and [so] the arguments for and against are not addressed."
This 27-chapter book covers all the practicalities involved in self-deliverance. From the importance of certain documents, to the law, to consideration of others, to the pros and cons of various methods (including certain drugs), you'll find this book a compassionate and sensitive guide. It contains clear instructions for supportive doctors and families so they can keep a person's dying intimate, private, and dignified.
This book has four appendices. I think most people will find Appendix A: "Glossary of Terms Connected with Dying" most informative.
Finally, this is an excellent book for those (like me) who are interested in knowing more about this neglected subject. The obvious fact is that we all die sooner or later. Knowing some of the information in this book will help the reader understand and not deny that death exists. As well, I learned about rights. Some people want to endure every last minute of life no matter how painfully gloomy and that is certainly their right. (In fact, there is a chapter in this book entitled "The Hospice Option.") However, others do not want to endure pain and suffering and I think that should be their right.
In conclusion, this book should not to be read by the depressed, suicidal, mentally ill, or the strictly religious. For all other readers, it can be used as a practical guide or as an educational text to understand death and basic human rights.
+++++
Rating: 
Summary: He botched it
Review: ...In Derek Humphry's introduction to The Final Exit, he tells of the request made by his wife "who could no longer bear the pain and deterioration of her body and the distressed quality of her life from cancer". He writes that his wife said, "Find a doctor who will give us a lethal dose that I can take". Mrs. Humphry's use of the word "us" can only mean that she was concerned about what her health was doing to her husband. This decision was not about her and her alone; the use of the word "us" makes a cognitive effort to include her husband in this decision. The first quote of his wife he uses is not any discussion of the decision, but the cold direction of find an avenue for a lethal dose. The author would have shown more sensitivity to this topic if he had included some of the discussions prior to making "their" final choice of death. Humphry writes this book with precise, clear, black-and-white distinctions. Because of this, he leaves little room for argument. The coldness with which he writes leaves no alternatives or options for decisions. He focuses only one chapter on the "decision" and only one paragraph to asking "people with suicidal thoughts to share them with family or friends". Humphry continues by listing the "cardinal rules" for helping a loved one die in the chapter entitled Beware of the Law. The law as we know it is black-and-white; there is no room for ambiguity. Humphry's rules are black-and-white, cold and final One of his rules suggests not touching the person during or after suicide. When a loved one dies, it is only natural to want to touch, hold and have physical contact. If Humphry intended the loved one of the person committing suicide to remain without suspicion, he would have had them act naturally instead of leaving the authorities to detect this concrete black-and-white "fingerprint" attitude. Humphry's chapter, Shopping for the Right Doctor, suggests not taking any chances with your present doctor's views. He asks us not to chance looking at your doctor for assistance just because he is "nice". I believe that a patient's doctor, especially if he has been a patient's doctor for a long time, IS the person with which you should approach about the decision of suicide. Who better can put in perspective what you final decision will be or mean? He is once again clearly defines the lack of options, something that he asked us not to do in the beginning if the book. The title of this chapter is another example of Humphry's lack of warmth for the dying. Shopping is a lackadaisical word that promotes a leisure activity. Shopping for a doctor should not be a leisure activity. I am angered by his suggestion that finding a doctor to help with suicide should be a leisurely activity as "Shopping". Throughout the remaining chapters, Humphry writes in eighth grade vocabulary. He writes for us as if we are not educated enough to understand alternatives when enacting on the decision we may or may not have already made. Humphry tells us that this book is written for those with serious terminal illnesses and should be read and taken seriously by those people who have already made this decision. This book was on the Bestsellers List. If he really believed that only those people that have already made up their minds to take their lives were the only ones reading it, it would be catastrophic. We would have far less people in the world. I am angered by the style of this book. Although I believe in its concept, I do not believe in the manner in which it was written. Humphry's cold, and "no other option" attitude is an insult to those people contemplating suicide. Making the decision to end one's life IS an educated decision and Humphry would have fared better in my opinion if he discussed this topic with us as if we were educated. Humphy tells that his chapter The Final Act, is the most important chapter in the book because "you do not want to botch it." This is yet another example of his crass and insensitive use of adjectives. His suggestions that not botching it was the most important thing in the book, angered me into putting this book down for several weeks. I picked this book up after I learned of my best friend's foster son's attempt to kill himself after being arrested for murdering his grandmother. He botched it. I continued to read this book to give the author one more chance to redeem the book's intent and so that I may gain insight into the purpose of his "most important chapter". I continued to be disappointed. I continued to read his step-by-step instructions of do's and don'ts when killing yourself. I read the amounts and combination of pills to take, they way to tie the plastic bags around our faces, and every possible thing that could go wrong if we botched. I continued to read to the end, wishing for words of wisdom and directions to assist those that may have reached this decision. However, there was no final chapter. There were no words of wisdom for me. He told me how to tie the plastic bag. He even goes on to comment, "Ugh, the plastic bag". How cutesy the use of the word "ugh" is used. The author did not leave us with any discussion, words of wisdom or comfort, nor alternatives. He listed in an index of telephone numbers to call for pain relief and forms to use to make everything tied up in a simple package. He gave us examples of Durable Powers of Attorney and a Living Will. There was no offering of condolences for these choices; I think the author bothced it himself.
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Respects People's Choices About Dying
Review: =====> After I read this book (first edition published in 1991) by Derek Humphry, I read some reviews of it on this site as well as on other sites. In many cases, I wondered whether a particular reviewer read the same book as I did! There seems to be some confusion as to the purpose of this book. I think the confusion stems from a lack of understanding of two terms. "Suicide" is deliberately ending one's life. It is usually an irrational act. (For the record, I don't believe in irrational suicide.) "Self-Deliverance" is the action of an irreversible ill person (such as a person who is hopelessly ill or is terminally ill) who makes a rational, voluntary decision to end his/her own life. The second of these two definitions is what this book is about. In the author's own words: "Please respect the true intensions of [this book]: the right of a terminally ill person with unbearable suffering to know how to choose to die." Thus, this book is not for the depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal. The author elaborates: "I ask people with suicidal thoughts to share them with family or friends and if this does not help, to call one of the hot lines or help lines listed in their local telephone books." There is an argument that the above three types of people might use the information in this book for their own early demise (despite the book's warnings) and therefore it should not have been published. But this is like saying tall buildings (or cars or bridges or etc.) should not be built because those with the intension of suicide might use them for an early demise. The fact is a suicidal person will always find a way. Also, this book is not for the religious. The author, again, elaborates: "If the reader of this book is deeply religious, and takes all guidance from a divinity, then there is no point in reading [this book]. [As well], all I [the author] ask of persons to whom any form of euthanasia [or assisted dying] is morally repugnant is tolerance and understanding of the feelings of others who want the right to choose what happens to their [dying] bodies in a free society." Thus, "this book assumes the reader's ethical acceptance of the right to choose to die when terminally ill and [so] the arguments for and against are not addressed." This 27-chapter book covers all the practicalities involved in self-deliverance. From the importance of certain documents, to the law, to consideration of others, to the pros and cons of various methods (including certain drugs), you'll find this book a compassionate and sensitive guide. It contains clear instructions for supportive doctors and families so they can keep a person's dying intimate, private, and dignified. This book has four appendices. I think most people will find Appendix A: "Glossay of Terms Connected with Dying" most informative. Finally, this is an excellent book for those (like me) who are interested in knowing more about this neglected subject. The obvious fact is that we all die sooner or later. Knowing some of the information in this book will help the reader understand and not deny that death exists. As well, I learned about rights. Some people want to endure every last minute of life no matter how painfully gloomy and that is certainly their right. (In fact, there is a chapter in this book entitled "The Hospice Option.") However, others do not want to endure pain and suffering and I think that should be their right. In conclusion, this book should not to be read by the depressed, suicidal, mentally ill, or the strictly religious. For all other readers, it can be used as a practical guide or as an educational text to understand death and basic human rights. <=====>
Rating:
Summary: A Book that Respects People's Choices About Dying
Review: =====> After I read this book (first edition published in 1991) by Derek Humphry, I read some reviews of it on this site as well as on other sites. In many cases, I wondered whether a particular reviewer read the same book as I did! There seems to be some confusion as to the purpose of this book. I think the confusion stems from a lack of understanding of two terms. "Suicide" is deliberately ending one's life. It is usually an irrational act. (For the record, I don't believe in irrational suicide.) "Self-Deliverance" is the action of an irreversible ill person (such as a person who is hopelessly ill or is terminally ill) who makes a rational, voluntary decision to end his/her own life. The second of these two definitions is what this book is about. In the author's own words: "Please respect the true intensions of [this book]: the right of a terminally ill person with unbearable suffering to know how to choose to die." Thus, this book is not for the depressed, mentally ill, or suicidal. The author elaborates: "I ask people with suicidal thoughts to share them with family or friends and if this does not help, to call one of the hot lines or help lines listed in their local telephone books." There is an argument that the above three types of people might use the information in this book for their own early demise (despite the book's warnings) and therefore it should not have been published. But this is like saying tall buildings (or cars or bridges or etc.) should not be built because those with the intension of suicide might use them for an early demise. The fact is a suicidal person will always find a way. Also, this book is not for the religious. The author, again, elaborates: "If the reader of this book is deeply religious, and takes all guidance from a divinity, then there is no point in reading [this book]. [As well], all I [the author] ask of persons to whom any form of euthanasia [or assisted dying] is morally repugnant is tolerance and understanding of the feelings of others who want the right to choose what happens to their [dying] bodies in a free society." Thus, "this book assumes the reader's ethical acceptance of the right to choose to die when terminally ill and [so] the arguments for and against are not addressed." This 27-chapter book covers all the practicalities involved in self-deliverance. From the importance of certain documents, to the law, to consideration of others, to the pros and cons of various methods (including certain drugs), you'll find this book a compassionate and sensitive guide. It contains clear instructions for supportive doctors and families so they can keep a person's dying intimate, private, and dignified. This book has four appendices. I think most people will find Appendix A: "Glossay of Terms Connected with Dying" most informative. Finally, this is an excellent book for those (like me) who are interested in knowing more about this neglected subject. The obvious fact is that we all die sooner or later. Knowing some of the information in this book will help the reader understand and not deny that death exists. As well, I learned about rights. Some people want to endure every last minute of life no matter how painfully gloomy and that is certainly their right. (In fact, there is a chapter in this book entitled "The Hospice Option.") However, others do not want to endure pain and suffering and I think that should be their right. In conclusion, this book should not to be read by the depressed, suicidal, mentally ill, or the strictly religious. For all other readers, it can be used as a practical guide or as an educational text to understand death and basic human rights. <=====>
Rating: 
Summary: Not My Cup of Tea
Review: As expected, Final Exit is both practical and dark, but enough with the plastic bags etc. With today's living wills and many MD's who know how to "overdose" a terminal patient, plus the lessons learned from the hospice field, this book is a little dated, and a little severe..JW
Rating:
Summary: It helped my mom find the strength to pull the trigger
Review: Final Exit does not discuss the spiritual and ethical issues surrounding suicide and euthanasia. Some have criticized Derek Humphry for not including such discussions, but I contend that author has acted appropriately: the scope of this book is inform others on how to effectively plan and execute the last moments of life. It would be presumptuous of the author to lecture his readers on their own faith. If you are looking for answers concerning the spiritual ramifications of ending your life, then you should refer directly to sources on which you base your faith. Concerning Final Exit's effectiveness as a manual, the language is clear and concise, the description of materials and their use is accurate, and the book provides you with adequate information to help you troubleshoot any problems unique to your situation. I left off one star only because some of the drugs mentioned in the book are next to impossible to obtain due to the termination of production by pharmaceutical companies. There are alternatives, but these will require a bit more effort on the part of the reader.
|
