From the author of the best-selling memoir An Unquiet Mind, comes the first major book in a quarter century on suicide, and its terrible pul...
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Jan 31, 2008
Kirsten
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Jamison begins this excellent book by describing suicide in the same terms that one might describe a particularly awful disease: "Suicide is a particularly awful way to die: the mental suffering leading up to it is usually prolonged, intense, and unpalliated," she writes. "There is no morphine equivalent to ease the acute pain, and death not uncommonly is violent and grisly." This sets the tone for the book, which is unflinching and frequently painful to read, yet the author
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Dec 16, 2009
stephanie
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one of the best books i have seen on suicide, i should go back and read it once i finish the books i am working on now.
her prose is very accessible - i can't emphasize how important and rare this is in psychological writing - in that she doesn't get caught up in jargon or theory. she knows how to personalize the subject matter, and make it relevant.
the truth is, if you haven't had a suicidal impulse, then you know someone that has. this book does an excellent job of ill More...
her prose is very accessible - i can't emphasize how important and rare this is in psychological writing - in that she doesn't get caught up in jargon or theory. she knows how to personalize the subject matter, and make it relevant.
the truth is, if you haven't had a suicidal impulse, then you know someone that has. this book does an excellent job of ill More...
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Oct 30, 2011
John E.
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Read as research for a play about suicide. There's much to value here, particularly the individual cases recounted.
On the other hand, there are problems. One of the book's annoyances is Jamison's excessive fondness for statistics. A greater shortcoming is that she writes confidently from one side of a still unsettled question about the relationship between the mind and the brain, assuming that what happens at a neurochemical level in the brain is the cause of what happens in the mind More...
On the other hand, there are problems. One of the book's annoyances is Jamison's excessive fondness for statistics. A greater shortcoming is that she writes confidently from one side of a still unsettled question about the relationship between the mind and the brain, assuming that what happens at a neurochemical level in the brain is the cause of what happens in the mind More...
Nov 26, 2011
Jennifer
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A dark and absorbing read that takes a tour of the dimmer regions of the human head and heart. Jamison, whose An Unquiet Mind stands as a classic in the field, is at her best when exploring the social and historical aspects of suicide, where she excels at bringing a lovely cross-section of information to the table. Not everyone, after all, can be natting on about SSRIs and then drop in an appropriate Dylan Thomas quote. The latter part of the book, more strictly devoted to the science of brain
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Dec 01, 2011
Nicol
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This book investigating suicide through history, literature, and interviews begins to paint an in depth picture of the culture, pathology, and biology of suicide. Jamison is able to get to the heart of suicidal thinking and in part I believe her own experiences with suicide give her another facet of understanding. One of my favorite quotes: "In short, when people are suicidal, their thinking is paralyzed, their options appear spare or nonexistent, their mood is despairing, and hopelessness
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May 11, 2011
Heather
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Lots of good information abounds in this book. I appreciated the mixture of clinical information and artistic commentary on the subject. But as a sibling of someone who committed suicide I am left with one question/concern. What of all those out there who are mentally ill and tending towards suicide who can not get help. What of the men who can not hold steady jobs, who are in and out of jail, who end up in half-way houses or on the street. What of the ill who have no health insurance, who
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Sep 12, 2009
Anne
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After several teen suicides and attempted suicides in my hometown this past year, I started to feel incredibly helpless. Despite the obvious sadness of young lives lost, I felt overwhelming frustration. It is often easy for people to dismiss teen suicide as the result of immaturity or a lack of perspective - heartbreak over unrequited love or a rejection letter from Harvard. What people ignore is the reality - that the majority of suicides, those of teenagers and adults - are the result of choni
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Oct 19, 2009
Christopher
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This book was well researched and masterfully written. In the uncovering of the massive tragedy that suicide inflicts on life, these pages provided the reader with much to contemplate and treasure.
In the epilogue, however, Jamison recounts that a few weeks after a failed suicide attempt she tries to discover, if any, the vital signs of her “relationship with God.” Having prayed the prayer she only really cared about, she felt a “convulsive sense of shame and sadness.” Out of this em More...
In the epilogue, however, Jamison recounts that a few weeks after a failed suicide attempt she tries to discover, if any, the vital signs of her “relationship with God.” Having prayed the prayer she only really cared about, she felt a “convulsive sense of shame and sadness.” Out of this em More...
Jan 02, 2010
rachel
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Suicide, both the completed act and ideation of, is a subject that I've had to deal with much more than I'd care to. I made the mistake of reading this book while on a bus back to college and what I remember most of the experience is how embarrassing it was to be sitting next to a stranger, making a deeply personal connection with a book and crying without restraint.
But, if you think of all of the smart, creative, generous people whose lives have been cut short by depression culmi More...
But, if you think of all of the smart, creative, generous people whose lives have been cut short by depression culmi More...
Apr 03, 2008
Bree
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I am a big fan of Dr. Jamison's other works, and Night Falls Fast was not a disappointment. She brings her usual mix of clinical accuracy and human empathy to this book, and I can't imagine any reader not having at least one moment of deep self reflection as a result. Of course she's also devilishly funny at times.
She clearly describes the magnitude of the problem, and I spent much of the book thinking to myself that the saddest aspect of these diseases is how alone and isolated the More...
She clearly describes the magnitude of the problem, and I spent much of the book thinking to myself that the saddest aspect of these diseases is how alone and isolated the More...
Apr 20, 2011
I picked this book up at the library yesterday. My therapist told me it's the best book she's ever read on the subject of suicide.
I had checked this out from the library, but more promising books came my way, and I decided to return it. I did read a little and it was very interesting. It's definitely a book I will return to, and would like to own.
description from wikipedia.org:
"Her seminal works amongst laypeople are her memoir An Unquiet Mind, which details More...
I had checked this out from the library, but more promising books came my way, and I decided to return it. I did read a little and it was very interesting. It's definitely a book I will return to, and would like to own.
description from wikipedia.org:
"Her seminal works amongst laypeople are her memoir An Unquiet Mind, which details More...
May 06, 2008
Amy
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If you have ever been close to someone who has completed suicide, please consider reading this book. This is the definitive book on suicide and examines the topic through many different lenses (personal, psychological, sociological, historical, legal etc) with expertise and care. Dr. Kay Jamison, who is the world's leading expert on bipolar disorder, and is also a multiple suicide attempt survivor herself, does an excellent job at examining the subject in an easily accessible manner.
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Oct 30, 2011
Blue
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This was a spectacular, informative, and deeply moving read. While I already knew most of what was said concerning statistics (and I skipped a few pages about the debate concerning Lithium as a medication) this book did allow me to reflect more deeply on its main topic. At first, I was somewhat disillusioned that much of the emphasis in this book is on the connection between suicide and mental illness; but I ended up finding it appropriate and no less aesthetic in its quality for it.
Nov 22, 2011
Brady
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An expert in the field (you don't work at Johns Hopkins if you're an amateur), Jamison looks at all aspects of suicide; who does it, why, how, the underlying causes, etc. An important work, if difficult at times. The case studies are often horrendous to contemplate. But still, suicide is a hidden epidemic in society, one we prefer to ignore, and this work helped me understand the topic much better than I had.
Nov 13, 2011
Joni
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Every 17 minutes another person commits suicide; 500 women a day in rural China commit suicide; 16 veterans commit suicide every day. The agony people find themselves in to commit suicide is never completely understood but Jamison does a pretty good job helping the reader to get a bigger picture and broader understanding of how widely spread mental illness is.
Jun 15, 2011
Marie
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I'm on page 98 of 432. So far Kay Redfiled Jamison takes you into a painful yet revealing world of suicide and the multitude of reasons why someone would choose death as a means to end pain and suffering. Dr. Jamison speaks from an intensely personal platform as she reveals her own battle with depression. What I love most about her work is the rich history and research efforts that went into it. Also, this book is for clinicians, patients, family and friends who either work with or care for some
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Mar 18, 2009
Lauren
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This is a complete historical look at suicide, also it gives a thorough picture of some of the causes. Jamison is good person to write this book because she gives a personal and scientific view. However, I do feel that the prevention part of this book still left me with a lot of questions. Also, the last chapter overviews some prevention programs but provides very little details on these programs.
Dec 22, 2008
Erika
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this book gives a long illustration on suicide-from the historical perspective to research and rates in present times...
very long at times the author repeats itself
the stories about suicide are very interesting..this book might make you feel uncomfortable and depressed at times...
very long at times the author repeats itself
the stories about suicide are very interesting..this book might make you feel uncomfortable and depressed at times...
Jan 10, 2009
Jennifer
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This was one of the books that helped me out of a very dangerous frame of mind. Reading about other people in despair helped me realize I was stronger than I thought, that things could get better, and that I could seek help if I needed it.
Nov 22, 2008
Annie
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one of the best books I've encountered about suicide for people who are interested in prevention but are averse to the self-help genre; Jamison works through literary, historical, philosophical, & clinical perspectives
Oct 19, 2011
Fastmaren
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This is the most accurate book I've read on this subject, though by nature it can be difficult to read. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand depression or the nature of suicide.
Jan 07, 2012
Lumpenprole
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It appears my review has been removed. WTF? Simply because I gave it to this dingbat and the nonsense she spouted (as in from a broken sewer main)with both barrels, this is grounds for removal of a review, with no notification?
Again, WTF? Perhaps I should go back to Librarything. And if this sort of thing happens again, I assuredly will.
NOT. HAPPY.
Again, WTF? Perhaps I should go back to Librarything. And if this sort of thing happens again, I assuredly will.
NOT. HAPPY.
Jul 27, 2011
Joana
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Moving, dense, heavy, relevant, heartbreaking, thoroughly researched... I recommend it, but get some defense mechanism, cause it's not at all an easy ride...
Jan 30, 2010
Rachel
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This book is pretty much a complete and comprehensive look at suicide. I read it because I needed to know, and now I know.
Sep 25, 2011
Ardra
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Well written and informative; just gave it 3 stars because of the depressing material--couldn't say "really liked it!"
Jul 06, 2009
Missives From
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I read for research purposes. Excellent insights into the psychological and physiological causes of suicide and some of the ways it can be prevented. Nothing new, but well put-together and comprehensive.
Mar 17, 2009
Kaelea
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I didn't even end up finishing this book. To me, it was too technical and it felt like I was back in school and reading a text book. I was very disapointed.
Jan 23, 2009
Diana
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important information shared here, early signs of loved ones in trouble, compassion for the depths of despair
Jan 04, 2009
al•veiz
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There is a gross desperate character to its journal like indulgence.
poorly written
and without insight.
poorly written
and without insight.
Dec 27, 2011
Puddlesplasher
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I only read/skimmed this due to a friend's recent suicide (November). Learning gives me comfort.
