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Death on Demand: Jack Kevorkian and the Right-to-Die Movement
Death on Demand explores the polarizing role of Jack Kevorkian—“Dr. Death”—as the most visible leader of the right-to-die movement. From a feature on the cover of Time magazine to interviews on shows like 60 Minutes, Kevorkian was a high-profile figure in the right-to-die movement, capturing constant media attention as he helped more than one hundred people kill themselves.
The book opens with the death of Janet Adkins in 1990—Kevorkian’s first assisted suicide—then travels back to Kevorkian’s medical school days and follows his nearly four decades as a lone activist. Death on Demand draws on Kevorkian’s interviews and published work as well as newspaper and magazine articles to describe the doctor’s publicity stunts, criminal trials, years in prison, and activities after he was paroled. Author Michael DeCesare examines Kevorkian’s actions in the context of the right-to-die movement to understand his crucial role in bringing the controversial practice of assisted suicide into the public conversation.
The book opens with the death of Janet Adkins in 1990—Kevorkian’s first assisted suicide—then travels back to Kevorkian’s medical school days and follows his nearly four decades as a lone activist. Death on Demand draws on Kevorkian’s interviews and published work as well as newspaper and magazine articles to describe the doctor’s publicity stunts, criminal trials, years in prison, and activities after he was paroled. Author Michael DeCesare examines Kevorkian’s actions in the context of the right-to-die movement to understand his crucial role in bringing the controversial practice of assisted suicide into the public conversation.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2015
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April 12, 2021
Whereas Kevorkian's own writings in books such as Prescription - Medicide address the man's ideological beliefs, this book uses a much more historical and legal lens to guide us through the battles Kevorkian et al faced as they championed the right to die, death with dignity, patholysis cause.
This is certainly a solid book, and it is obvious that DeCesare put in considerable work with regard to research. The packaging of the considerable sources leads to a neat, easy-to-read product that gives a fairly concise picture of the legal battles Kevorkian faced as well as his compassionate acts that brought them on (needless to say, I'm an avid supporter).
While I certainly recommend this book, I would recommend starting with Between the Dying and the Dead by longtime Kevorkian compatriots Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie. Their book is more overarching in its scope, in my opinion. And of course, Kevorkian as a primary source is a must. In addition to the aforementioned book, he authored several research papers, a collection of poetry, music, and he even was a skilled painter.
This is certainly a solid book, and it is obvious that DeCesare put in considerable work with regard to research. The packaging of the considerable sources leads to a neat, easy-to-read product that gives a fairly concise picture of the legal battles Kevorkian faced as well as his compassionate acts that brought them on (needless to say, I'm an avid supporter).
While I certainly recommend this book, I would recommend starting with Between the Dying and the Dead by longtime Kevorkian compatriots Neal Nicol and Harry Wylie. Their book is more overarching in its scope, in my opinion. And of course, Kevorkian as a primary source is a must. In addition to the aforementioned book, he authored several research papers, a collection of poetry, music, and he even was a skilled painter.
Displaying 1 of 1 review