Customer Reviews

Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying, 3rd Edition

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

This is not a book telling you to commit suicide. So many people felt lives would not have been lost without this book. This is wrong. A suicidal person will always find a way. This is a book that is intended to help the terminally ill who need an easy passing. Try to imagine yourself, suffering, in unbearable agony, your own suffering making all of your loved ones hearts break a little daily, no end in sight, just the knowledge that if you sleep at all, when you wake, the agony will continue, not just for you but for everyone. Often, too often, doctors will limit and provide dosages of pain relief that are inadequate, because there are times when the pain is untouchable by modern drugs. Ask yourself: Will your loved ones suffer more after your death than they are now? THAT, dear readers, is what this book means. It offers a glimmer of light for the terminally ill. That is all. It does not in any way intend itself for depressed people, but depressed people will buy it, and read it, and perhaps follow it to the end. They suffer too, their pain is as real as the physical pain of a terminally ill patient, do not expect the book ever to be banned to depressed or mentally ill patients only. I respect any terminally ill patient's decision to use the guidelines in this book to assist in an end that will allow them to finally erase the agony, the physical torture, the lives wreaked with havoc and pain because of their illnesses. Those of you who do not understand Derek Humphrey's motive should read this book again. Those of you who do not understand your relative or loved one's decision to act on the guidelines in this book need to make peace with yourselves, and put the blame where it really belongs, nowhere.

"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.

+++++

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.

+++++

Persons ethically opposed to this book need not, and should not read it. For almost ten years, Final Exit has been the accepted handbook for self-deliverance and assisted suicide for the dying person whose suffering is unbearable to them. Useful chapters on the law, communicating with others, and precise 'how to' end it details. There is no such other book available on the open market. Thousands of people have made good use of it to make their own decisions.

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.

What I like most about this man is that he genuinely appreciates life and encourages people to live....surprised? This book is not aimed at everyone, only the terminally ill. He strongly discourages people from taking their own life unless they're sick. I respect his view that humans have the right to end their existence, even if the problem is mental distress, not physical. I did see a few methods that anyone who can walk themselves to the store with some cash on hand can do. Those methods require no doctor or hard-to-get materials. For sure, anyone with access to a doctor can use this book as a guide to obtain the essential materials needed.

I did wish the book had more methods of self deliverence (that are available without prescription), and more detailed instructions on using prescribed drugs.

I found this book to be incredibly informative. Watching my parents in the throes of death has made me vow to not do this to my children. Any ideas I had prior to reading this book were dispelled and I'm grateful to know what doesn't work! The book is not for the weak at heart - especially the illustrations but I've already connected with a partner and hope, that when the time comes, I'll have the fortitude to carry through.

Ive been surviving each day in torment thanks to a horrible Mental illness this last 5 years,every day has been a struggle to even want to live,every day I wake I curse my body for not dying during the night previous..I used to think people with mental illnesses especially were a joke,that they are only 'putting it on'...let me tell those of you lucky enough not to have an illness like mine,please do not dismiss depressed people and think they'll 'get over it',because we wont-ive had 2 dear friends commit suicide due to their depression,my friends were not cowards and werent weak people,they were tormented individuals who saw no other way out,this book taught them how and what to do... it wasnt a split moment decision on either of their parts,they planned their deaths 12 months in advance..
every day for me is a battle to get through,I self-harm myself,I am addicted to over-the-counter drugs and one of these days soon I know I will end up doing something serious...

this book is a great comfort to me,because I know firstly that my friends did not suffer too much and that my options are open to me now...i am sorry if anyone finds this offensive,please for a moment try and feel what it is like within my head every second of every day.

This was a pioneering book when it was first published. It still has the merits of unmatched simplicity and clarity, but there is a MUCH more comprehensive (if harder to read) book on the same subject, "Suicide and Attempted Suicide: Methods and Consequences" by Geo Stone. I recommend both---they're surprisingly different---but if I were interested in anything other than plastic bag asphyxia (and even here Stone's book is more informative), Stone's would be my first choice.

Final Exit has come to be the best book for those who wish to escape terminal suffering either by self-deliverance or assisted suicide. It was a bestseller in l991 and continues to sell worldwide in solid quantities. This book does not deal with the moral and ethical aspects - they should be read elsewhere - but with the 'nuts and bolts' of a person choosing to end their life because of unbearable physical pain and distress.