Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer
For nearly four decades, Derek Humphry has blazed a trail for the right to die movement. He founded the Hemlock Society, pioneered Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, and wrote the bestselling books Final Exit (more than one million copies sold, and a New York Times bestseller for eighteen weeks) and Jean’s Way (UK bestseller). But before his wife’s terminal illness ravaged his life, Humphry was a successful journalist. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will learn how the twists and turns of fate led him to his life’s purpose.

In his poignant memoir, Derek tells of his broken family, his wartime experiences as a boy in England, and rising to the highest rungs of journalism on two continents. In 1975, he lived with crippling fear and sadness when his beloved wife, Jean, was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease gradually spread, they both decided that rather than let a terminal illness run its course through extreme physical and emotional pain, Jean would end her own life on her own terms, at an agreed upon time and manner, arranging her own last days. Readers will witness the personal pain and emotional distress they endured, as well as the legal repercussions Derek faced following her death.

As Humphry writes, “It would be far more preferable to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, for it is a tremendous strain and risk put on families.” To know why he has maintained this struggle for choice in dying, against powerful religious and political forces it is necessary to understand the whole man. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will appreciate the fight he has gone through so that others might consider the option of dying with dignity.
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Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer
For nearly four decades, Derek Humphry has blazed a trail for the right to die movement. He founded the Hemlock Society, pioneered Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, and wrote the bestselling books Final Exit (more than one million copies sold, and a New York Times bestseller for eighteen weeks) and Jean’s Way (UK bestseller). But before his wife’s terminal illness ravaged his life, Humphry was a successful journalist. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will learn how the twists and turns of fate led him to his life’s purpose.

In his poignant memoir, Derek tells of his broken family, his wartime experiences as a boy in England, and rising to the highest rungs of journalism on two continents. In 1975, he lived with crippling fear and sadness when his beloved wife, Jean, was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease gradually spread, they both decided that rather than let a terminal illness run its course through extreme physical and emotional pain, Jean would end her own life on her own terms, at an agreed upon time and manner, arranging her own last days. Readers will witness the personal pain and emotional distress they endured, as well as the legal repercussions Derek faced following her death.

As Humphry writes, “It would be far more preferable to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, for it is a tremendous strain and risk put on families.” To know why he has maintained this struggle for choice in dying, against powerful religious and political forces it is necessary to understand the whole man. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will appreciate the fight he has gone through so that others might consider the option of dying with dignity.
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Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer

Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer

Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer

Good Life, Good Death: The Memoir of a Right to Die Pioneer

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Overview

For nearly four decades, Derek Humphry has blazed a trail for the right to die movement. He founded the Hemlock Society, pioneered Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, and wrote the bestselling books Final Exit (more than one million copies sold, and a New York Times bestseller for eighteen weeks) and Jean’s Way (UK bestseller). But before his wife’s terminal illness ravaged his life, Humphry was a successful journalist. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will learn how the twists and turns of fate led him to his life’s purpose.

In his poignant memoir, Derek tells of his broken family, his wartime experiences as a boy in England, and rising to the highest rungs of journalism on two continents. In 1975, he lived with crippling fear and sadness when his beloved wife, Jean, was diagnosed with cancer. As the disease gradually spread, they both decided that rather than let a terminal illness run its course through extreme physical and emotional pain, Jean would end her own life on her own terms, at an agreed upon time and manner, arranging her own last days. Readers will witness the personal pain and emotional distress they endured, as well as the legal repercussions Derek faced following her death.

As Humphry writes, “It would be far more preferable to legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill adults, for it is a tremendous strain and risk put on families.” To know why he has maintained this struggle for choice in dying, against powerful religious and political forces it is necessary to understand the whole man. In Good Life, Good Death, readers will appreciate the fight he has gone through so that others might consider the option of dying with dignity.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781631440670
Publisher: Carrel Books
Publication date: 02/21/2017
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 352
Sales rank: 317,989
File size: 2 MB

About the Author

Derek Humphry is regarded as the grand old man of the euthanasia movement, in which he remains deeply engaged. A dual citizen of the United States and the United Kingdom, he resides in Junction City, Oregon.

Stephen Jamison, PhD, is a social psychologist, medical ethicist, and author. He resides in Woodland, California.

Table of Contents

Foreword Stephen Jamison xi

Preface xxi

Introduction Life After Death 1

Chapter 1 A Shaky Start 3

Chapter 2 Runaway 35

Chapter 3 Getting to the Truth 47

Chapter 4 Acquiring Home and Family 61

Chapter 5 A Curious Reunion 81

Chapter 6 Reporter at Large 87

Chapter 7 World's Greatest Paper 103

Chapter 8 Terminal Illness 123

Chapter 9 Jean's Way of Dying 129

Chapter 10 Off to California 137

Chapter 11 A Book's Inspiration 143

Chapter 12 A Horrible Year 171

Chapter 13 To See Yourself as Others See You 185

Chapter 14 Enter "Final Exit" 191

Chapter 15 What Happened to Mother? 199

Chapter 16 Divorce Wars 207

Chapter 17 Farewell to Hemlock 223

Chapter 18 Kevorkian and Me 233

Chapter 19 Where We Are Now 245

Appendix 253

About the Author 255

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