Customer Reviews

Long Goodbye: The Deaths of Nancy Cruzan

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During my training as a chaplain at Baylor University Medical Center, it was considered part of the "dues" of training that one would take lots of being on-call at the hospital for handling of emergencies. To that end, there was a "call room" where a chaplain could catch a little sleep, while waiting. On one of those sleepless nights in the call room, I viewed a Frontline special on the story of Nancy Beth Cruzan. She was a young woman, fully alive, who, as a result of a terrible accident, would become a test case for end-of-life matters for years to come. After seeing that special, I was deeply touched by the need to convey what our wishes were for the ends of our lives.

The Nancy Beth Cruzan case took the better part of ten years before resolution. The lawyer who fought for her right to be disconnected from the feeding tube was William Colby, the author of this outstanding book. Those of us on the front lines of trying to help families prepare for the issues they will face at the end of life will find insight into the ramifications of that case, as well as grist for the mill of the work that we are doing.

Colby is a highly readable author (at times, I felt like I was reading a Grisham novel), the Cruzan's case is deeply compelling, the story is truly tragic, and readers will come away with an appreciation of the law and concepts that are involved in pursuing these matters. There are several important story lines running throughout this volume: There are the lawyers, one who pulls an unexpected punch; the politicians, aiming for re-election; the Cruzans, especially Nancy's father, Joe, a salt-of-the-earth laborer, broken to the core over the loss of his little girl; a common sense probate judge, just trying to do the right thing; and the right-to-life movement (with whom we generally have sympathy, but not in this case). Indeed, under the skillful telling of Mr. Colby, law itself becomes a character, fickle at times, inflexible at others, and, at the last, compassionate.

ElderHope heartily recommends this excellent book.

This is one of the most fascinating books about a legal case that I've ever read. It is fast-moving, riveting, and I couldn't put it down. It covers issues relating to law, medicine, the family, the rights of the individual, and the right to die. It would make a great movie.

I recommend this highly--one of the best books I've read this year!

Bill Colby has taken the first right-to-die case to make it to the Supreme Court and has made it into a book you can't put down. On the recommendation of a friend, I sat down with this book after work and ended up finishing it at 2 in the morning! Definitely worth reading - an excellent book.

Bill Colby is a passionate writer, and his genuine care and concern for the Cruzan family shines brightly in this book. It raises powerful questions about the status of American law on the topic and the morality of the decisions that you hope you -- or your family -- will never, ever face.

P.S. They call it a legal story, but it's not a difficult read. On the contrary, it's very understandable -- no legalese here!

MR. COLBY HAS WRITTEN A BEAUTIFUL TOUCHING STORY ABOUT THE HEARTBREAK OF A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. THEY SPENT YEARS TRYING TO GIVE THERE DAUGHTER A DIGNIFIED DEATH. MR. COLBY IS AN ATTORNEY, NOT AN AUTHOR, BUT YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IT BECAUSE HIS BOOK KEEPS YOU GLUED TO THE PAGES. THE FAMILY IN THIS STORY COULD BE ANYONE OF OURS. I HAVE NEVER MET MR. COLBY BUT, BILL AND MY HUSBAND WERE COUSINS AND I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM. THIS IS ONE "OPRAH" SHOULD PUT ON HER READING LIST. THE WHOLE WORLD COULD LEARN FROM IT.

Despite this book being written by the lawyer who represented the parents of Nancy Cruzan who wanted feeding apparatus to be withdrawn and thus to have Nancy die, this book presents the issues and the struggle fairly and even-handedly. This is shown in a way since after reading it I conclude the U.S Supreme Court's decision was right--in the circumstances shown the family could without monetary loss have permitted their child to not be starved to death. The account of the trial and of the appellate history of the case is absorbing and shows the author is an able lawyer, admirable in representing his clients. I have no hesitancy in saying if it had been my child I would not have gone to the efforts which Nancy's father went to in order to have his child die. But psychologically Nancy's parents wanted the living death to end and their lawyer was right to seek the relief his clients desired. An extraordinary book.

no matter the side you take in the persistent vegetative state, this book exposes you to the intricate details of life and death matters. William Colby is not only an outstanding lawyer but a great author. the book is detailed with facts and carries you into a world that we dont normally think about or decide to ignore: the world of legal matters concerning death and what happens if this is a personal matter. you'll learn a lot from this book aside from it being an interesting and engaging read!!!!!!!!!

This book ignited me as "A Civil Action" and "Erin Brokovich" did--it's another fascinating tale of a "little person" taking on the system. Bill Colby is a masterful writer, and this is a book that will both entertain and educate you. I'm recommending it to everyone I know!

I read this book in two days. It is a well-written, riveting story told by the lawyer who represented the Cruzans in their legal battle fighting for the right to remove the feeding tube from their daughter, Nancy, who had been in a persistant vegetative state for years. If you enjoy medical and law topics as I do, then you will certainly enjoy this book. Bill Colby goes into great detail on the court cases which I was surprised to find so enthralling. This book should have been a bestseller!

This beautifully written book captures every detail of the Cruzan case so that the public has a chance to witness the events unfolding and how Nancy's family is impacted. Used as a course text book, this invaluable tool has taught students the basics of the laws in place regarding end-of-life care, terminology used in end-of-life situations, and the emotional impact of the finality of decisions made as a person nears death.

I have read this book several times and could keep reading it....