The Right to Die Debate: A Documentary History

(Hardback)

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Description

Rapid changes in medical care and in society's attitudes about death have made the right-to-die debate a timely topic, but its roots can be traced back to the founding of this country. High school and college students can explore the history of this debate through this unique collection of primary documents. Government reports, court cases, statements from religious groups, and many other contributions provide a thorough examination of the arguments for and against allowing people to make their own decisions about how and when they die. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to aid the user in understanding the various arguments that have been put forth in this debate, encouraging consideration of all sides when drawing conclusions. Such issues as attitudes toward death, mercy killings, euthanasia, the development of living wills, and advance directives are explored in detail and are traced back to their early roots. Each of the volume's six parts examines a different subject within the debate and provides records ranging from the high profile court cases of Karen Quinlan and Nancy Cruzan to samples of living wills to a statement from Pope Pius II. Zucker presents the reader with a variety of ideas from many different people, including doctors, patients, religious leaders, and government officials, and presents a broad range of perspectives that will be a welcome resource for students wishing to explore this highly emotional topic from as many different angles as possible.

Reviews

"Marjorie Zucker has made a significant contribution by assembling the principal documents that have defined the end-of-life debate during the 20th century. This historical survey of opposing opinions invites discerning minds to engage continuing discussions of the issues with knowledge and perspective. The right to die' debate will continue to claim the passion and attention of the 21st century."-Walter J. Smith President and CEO, The HealthCare Chaplaincy New York, New York
"The Right-to-Die Debate: A Documentary History is an invaluable reference for anyone working in the fields of bioethics and end-of-life care -- and for any student of social change. This collection of papers at once chronicles sentinel events in the contemporary history of this important social issue and allows readers to sample the tone and color of this ongoing debate."-Ira Byock, MD Director of Promoting Excellence in End-of-Life Care, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
"This well balanced compilation of primary documents on the so-called right to die debate makes an invaluable contribution to bioethics and policy studies as well as to American history. Ideas and feelings about death and dying are not static; they reveal their nuances only when they can be studied in different idioms at different times. In this volume, the elusive quest to discover a good death' and to fulfill our moral duties comes alive in a chorus of many voices."-Bruce Jennings Executive Vice President, The Hastings Center
[A] very popular book....Zucker has done a real service for those interested in the debate by pulling together so many documents relating to the right-to-die debate.-Ethics & Medicine
The right to die is an often-assigned topic for school essays, debates, and panel discussions. This volume, therefore, would be quite useful in school libraries. It covers every imaginable aspect of the issue, and its presentation is balanced, presenting all sides...With the increased interest in document-based questions on state and standardized tests, this book offers an added attraction for teachers....Recommended-The Book Report
This book is an impressive and valuable collection that never promotes a particular position on the issues. The Right to Die Debater is recommended for high school, college, and public libraries.-ARBA
"A very popular book....Zucker has done a real service for those interested in the debate by pulling together so many documents relating to the right-to-die debate."-Ethics & Medicine
"[A] very popular book....Zucker has done a real service for those interested in the debate by pulling together so many documents relating to the right-to-die debate."-Ethics & Medicine
"This book is an impressive and valuable collection that never promotes a particular position on the issues. The Right to Die Debater is recommended for high school, college, and public libraries."-ARBA
"The right to die is an often-assigned topic for school essays, debates, and panel discussions. This volume, therefore, would be quite useful in school libraries. It covers every imaginable aspect of the issue, and its presentation is balanced, presenting all sides...With the increased interest in document-based questions on state and standardized tests, this book offers an added attraction for teachers....Recommended"-The Book Report

Author Bio

MARJORIE B. ZUCKER, a former Professor of Pathology at New York University Medical Center, now works at Partnership For Caring (formerly Choice in Dying).