The Euthanasia/Assisted-Suicide Debate

January 1, 2013
The Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide Debate is a thorough yet concise review of the history and development of medical euthanasia and assisted suicide. Pappas goes to great lengths to provide information from every side of this charged issue in an unbiased manner. The book covers the extensive history of legislative efforts related to euthanasia dating back to 1905 as well as the gradual transition from euthanasia as a practical, medical issue to a controversial issue based in politics, religion, and morality. The book is structured in chronological order, with each chapter highlighting a significant portion of the development of the euthanasia debate from the 1890s through today. Specific examples of legislation, litigation, and case studies are cited, including both those that were highly publicizedsuch as Dr. Jack Kevorkian and Terri Schiavoas well as those not broadly covered by the media. Although there is detailed historical coverage, this work is also contemporary, attempting to provide as up-to-date coverage as possible by including case studies from 2000 on. With a clear table of contents, subheadings within each chapter, and an accurate index featuring cross-referencing, this book is easy to navigate. The glossary at the end of the book is of paramount value to readers, clearly making the distinction between related terms, such as voluntary euthanasia, involuntary euthanasia, assisted suicide, and passive euthanasia. Additionally, the bibliography provides readers with a wealth of information regarding specific legislation, court cases, and coverage in medical journals throughout history. Part of Greenwood's Historical Guides to Controversial Issues in America series, this offers complete coverage of every aspect of the euthanasia debate and would be a great addition to public, high-school, and undergraduate libraries. This book removes the typical pro-con approach taken with controversial topics and simply provides informationleaving readers to arrive at their own conclusions, making it an invaluable resource for students.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)