Overview

Traces the history of euthanasia in the United States to show how changing attitudes toward death reflect new and troubling ways of experiencing pain, hope, and freedom. This work begins with the historical meaning of euthanasia as signifying an easeful death. It asks why law and technique have come to play such a central role in the way we die.

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9780691102634

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However we seek to achieve it, in the end what we most hope for is a good death. For his help in pushing us to think about what this means, Professor Lavi deserves our undying gratitude. -- Joanna Reiver Journal of Legal Medicine Lavi helped explain what the inhabitants of Christendom understood implicitly for centuries. He is right: We have forgotten how to die. -- Michael A. Flannery The Journal of American History [V]ery well-researched and elegantly written... [T]hought-provoking and worthwhile reading. -- Marcia L. Meldrum Journal of the American Medical Association Lavi explains how dying has moves from 'art' to 'technique,' from an experience overseen by a minister and family to one of 'technique' overseen by doctors and constructed by law... Lavi's work represents the best of sociolegal scholarship: it is impressive for its clear conceptualization, its marshalling of an impressive array of historical and cultural evidence, and its lucid, clear, and elegant writing... As a model of concerned and rigorous scholarship, Lavi's book is exemplary. -- Alfonso Morales Law & Society Review This book, The Modern Art of Dying: A History of Euthanasia in the United States provides valuable background information about the end of life, especially related to euthanasia. It provides comprehensive and extensive references and case histories of ways of dying and euthanasia, to the field of gerontology, and to those working with individuals of all ages in a terminal state. This book is geared for all the people who are interested in the issue of euthanasia... This book is very valuable to Christian scholars. Also, readers with religious beliefs and legal systems which differ from those in the United States may find this book very resourceful in helping them to understand why euthanasia is such an important issue in American Judeo-Christian culture and law. -- Suk-Young Kang, Ph.D. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life and Palliative Care

Author Information

Shai J. Lavi teaches law and sociology at Tel-Aviv University. His research lies at the crossroads of culture, philosophy, and law.

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