Herbert Hendin – författare

Covers some of the major developments in the 60s, such as drugs, homosexuality, revolution, etc., in looking at what young people feel about their lives and what cultural forces move them most deeply.

In this new edition of his acclaimed work, Dr. Herbert Hendin casts new light on the problem of suicide, offering what he calls a "psychosocial perspective." Demonstrating that treatment of seriously suicidal people is possible, he also shows how our social policy toward suicide is marked by misconception. He evaluates the "right-to-die" movement, and in a comprehensive new chapter he presents a powerful portrait of euthanasia and assisted suicide in the Netherlands. Interviews with the leading practitioners and proponents are included. This book has much to say not only about how we die but also about how we choose to live.

Few issues set off such impassioned debate as euthanasia and assisted suicide, but until now, no one has shown what their practice means in the actual experience of patients, doctors, and families.Herbert Hendin has studied such experience in the United States and also in the Netherlands, where assisted suicide and euthanasia are accepted. Using interviews with leading medical and legal architects of Dutch practices, and evaluating actual cases, Dr. Hendin addresses the difficult questions: Who actually makes the decision that a patient will die? How do the needs and character of family, friends, and doctors affect the choice? Throughout the book and in his conclusion, Dr. Hendin shows what we can do to find better options for those facing the final phase of life.