Choice Review
The papers in this volume were presented by the editors (Yale Univ.) and contributors at a conference on concerns of physicians and nurses relating to the medical, cultural, and religious responses to death. In this collection, the first 11 chapters discuss clinical settings involved with issues surrounding death; these include technology, AIDS, euthanasia, and hospice care. An oncologist opposes physician-assisted suicide, while identifying two central problems in such care. The first problem is failure to acknowledge that the patient is dying, so comfort becomes the most appropriate goal. The second is the misuse of high technology that prolongs the dying process. In chapters 12 to 22, contributors discuss a variety of religious and cultural approaches to framing death; the medical battle for life differs from the religious acceptance of death. The clear writing style, notes, references, and index facilitate understanding and offer options for further study of this important topic. All levels. F. Taira emerita, Loyola University of Chicago
Library Journal Review
Today, dying is too often a medical and legal event rather than a natural part of life. In 1994, Yale University's Program for Humanities in Medicine and Boston's Goethe Institute brought together distinguished healthcare professionals, philosophers, historians, and clergy to explore the emotional and spiritual aspects of death. This outstanding collection of conference papers offers rich, thoughtful, often highly personal reflections on the conflict between technologically adept, life-saving medicine and the desire for a meaningful death. Physicians describe their experiences as witnesses to deaththeir anger and frustration when treatments fail and the pressure to cure that leaves no time for grief. Contributors also consider the meaning death can bring to the lives of the dying and survivors and explore its expression in different times and cultures. This exceptional book defines the 20th century's changing attitudes toward ars moriendithe way of dying. Highly recommended.Karen McNally Bensing, Benjamin Rose Inst. Lib., Cleveland, Ohio (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
