Suicide Books

This is the most objective and differentiated book I ever read on suicide and philosophy respectivly philology. It presents the different manifestations of suicide, its problems, on one hand facing common language and on the other hand coping with its usual (mis-)interpretations from its visible results. And, most important for me, it is not glossed over with any kind of idiology. It gives a competent overview over the whole subject and all of its facettes.

This book helped me over a really difficult time. It made me realise that I wasn't going through my grief all alone and that what I was experiencing was just normal. I recommend it to anyone who needs to have factual information about suicide as well as an insight into the emotional turmoil that suicide can bring. It helped me through some of the practical issues as well as enabling me to face the future.

I found this author to be very insightful. It was an eye opening insight to the minds of young people, who are desperate enough to take their own lives.

In this best-selling book, eminent suicidologist David Lester offers a startling look at what we know about adolescent suicide - the third leading cause of death among young people in the U.S. - and what we can do to prevent it. Through case studies and a detailed review of the literature, Lester opens the doors to understanding this tragedy and gives us the knowledge necessary for successful intervention.

CONTENTS:

Introduction 1 Two Cases of Youth Suicide 2 The Incidence of Adolescent Suicide 3 Youth Suicide Around the World 4 The Suicidal Act 5 Psychiatric Illness and Adolescent Suicide 6 Perinatal Influences on Adolescent Suicide 7 Childhood Experiences and Suicide 8 Suicide Clusters and Subcultures 9 Double Suicides and Suicide Pacts 10 A Deviant Theory of Adolescent Suicide 11 Assessing Suicidality: A Chapter for the Professional 12 Treatment and Therapy 13 Helping Your Suicidal Child: A Chapter for Parents 14 Suicide Prevention in Schools 15 Coping with the Suicide of an Adolescent

"If you have a skeleton in your closet, take it out and dance with it." - Carolyn MacKenzie
This wonderful booklet contains 28 meditations and affirmations for people who have lost loved ones to suicide. The meditations address the breadth of emotions that suicide survivors feel and help readers let go of the stigma associated with losing a loved one to suicide so that the healing process can begin. A list of additional, supportive resources is included on the last page.

This book was great! It deals with a woman, recently moved to the United States, trying to incorporate into a different culture; dealing with the loss of her husband; and gaining confidence in her writing and life. She deals with family all the while being surprised by who they have become. The writing is descriptive and flowing. Daphne's Seasons

What would you say to a teenager who tells you that they have been thinking about killing themselves and their classmates? How do you handle information like that when you know you could stop another Columbine Shooting? Do you call the police to have them locked up or do you just sit and hug them and tell them that you care about them? This book has all the answers in plain and simple English.

This book should be mandatory reading for anyone who comes in contact with teenagers during the course of any week or month. It has some timeless insights into the mind of depressed teenager and positive tools that are essential for helping them.

Dr. Barlow's examination of suicide bombers, their mentality, motivations and history provides a broad overview of this issue as it relates not only to its use as an act of intentional terrorism, but as an explanation of some of the political and religious ideologies possessed by the suicide bomber as well. To the author's immense credit, however, it is anything but a dry, academic work. On the contrary, the book is insightful and well researched. Using superb writing, Barlow grabs hold of the reader by offering the reader a look into the lives, culture and idiosyncrasies of a people not often examined.

Hugh Barlow's literate and thought provoking review of the history of suicide bombers and their quest to purify their faith by eliminating the infidels, and in doing so reaffirm their divine right to rule the world, can cause one to rethink many of the traditional notions once held. This is a great book and a must read.

On November 18, 1978, tragedy occurred at an airstrip in Port Kaituma in Guyana when Congressman Leo Ryan from Northern California, Patty Parks (a People's Temple defector), Greg Robinson (photographer for the San Francisco Examiner), Don Harris (NBC reporter), and Robert Brown, another newsman, were shot to death by the People's Temple armed gunmen. The tragedy would only get worse and not better. There were survivors at the airstrip. But back in Jonestown, Rev. Jim Jones would finally have his white night in which this was no suicide drill. It was the real thing! Not everybody went willingly. The children event infants who were born in Jonestown were the first victims. There was one dissenter in the crowd and her name was Christine Miller. Jones had already made his mind up to complete the white night after years of practice. there was no going back. His members believed that they would be tortured and killed after the Congressman's death. That they were all responsible and not just those who committed the actual crimes. Even the children of Jonestown would not be spared, for two hours, there was death with armed gunmen surrounding the pavilion where only a day before there was a celebration regarding Ryan's visit. There was music, food, and a good time. Now it was going to be the end and it wasn't going quietly. Jones achieved infamy in death that would be associated with mass murder or suicide. Jones himself was dying anyway.
For Stephenson, she has researched and has used this opportunity to show the humanity of Jonestown and the People's Temple. He had taken in the disenfranchised, the forgotten, neglected, and unwanted. Jones made them feel not only welcome but to be part of a larger collective community. His members were so dedicated that they moved their lives across country from Indianapolis to Northern California and finally Jonestown. Jones may have falsified his healings to gain attention and membership but he also helped establish nursing home and foster homes all under the church. We all think that we are incapable of being lured into a cult. Actually, Jones gave his people what they needed and he expected the same sacrifice in return. Slowly, Jones stripped his members of their finances, their homes, jobs, and obligations for the People's Temple. He provided jobs, food, and shelter as well as a great community of good people. Jones left Indianapolis because people weren't committed enough to the cause or maybe he was afraid of the exposure of his dark side. The other side of Jim Jones was equally dark but it was veiled heavily by his presence and lively performance on stage. Most of the members didn't join the People's Temple because of Jim Jones but because of how his other members were so selfless, generous, and kind to them for all their needs. Of course, now thirty years later, the search for answers to those questions of what happened on November 18, 1978 are still in debate. But the author has made a conscious effort to humanize the people of Jonestown as more than a number and faceless bodies which were splashed all over the news. For years, I have researched true crime and criminal psychology to understand the concept of Jonestown. This book has helped me understand the people who have been taken from us that day. We were robbed of them as well as their families and friends. 900 isn't just a number, they were people.

This book provides a rare glimpse into the thoughts of real Peoples Temple members and the words of Jim Jones himself. People tend to forget that these were real people who saw Peoples Temple as an organization that was trying to fix the way racism was controlling America. The documents in this collection are well chosen and well presented and the photos add even more interest to this invaluable source. If you are interested in learning more about Peoples Temple, this is a must buy.

What a great collection letters, photos and memories from the life and times of the Peoples Temple.

I found it to be an easy read, the chapters have a nice flow, and it does something different than other PT books I've read. It does not show the PT members as crazied followers of a madman, but as a family. A family that was genuinely trying to create a better world. That is, until things got bad and people from the states wouldn't leave them alone.

I blame the 'concerned relatives' for more than 900 deaths on November 18th, 1978.

After having read Deborah Layton's book about Jim Jones, I thought I wanted a somewhat more objective book so I ordered this one. And it didn't disappoint me. Dear People is a compelling presentation of personal stories, official documents and fascinating photos which really gave me the information I was looking for. No drama or ethos, just the plain facts. I've read many books about the Pol Pot era in Cambodia, and frankly this book fits right in - only in another setting with another crazed leader (both utopian communists, by the way). It baffles me still every day how intelligent and otherwise sane people can fall for crazed lunatics like Jim Jones.

By the way, I think that that very impressive farewell note (the Last Words), which starts off the book, supposedly from an unknown PT member who wrote it during the mass suicide, was prepared way in advance. I simply can't believe anyone can have the clear state of mind to write a letter like that while hundreds of people are dying around you, including more than 200 small children. But if it is true, it just goes to show how utterly brainwashed and inhuman these cult-members had become.

I have read so many books regarding Jonestown/Jim Jones and I will never understand why this tragedy happened. Dear People, Remembering Jonestown brings you so much closer to the people that were in Jonestown on that tragic day. I loved the personaL letters and interviews. I specially like the personal letters from Carolyn Layton and Maria Katsaris, two of Jims closes and very personal assistants. I loved this book! If you are thinking about reading this book I recommend you read first, Seductive Poison and Six Years with God. These two books are two of the most personal stories I have read about those that were the closes to Jim Jones. I highly recommend Dear People, well put together.


A.M.O
Van Nuys, CA

I am using this book for a "Big Debate" at school. I am using it for a persuasive essay. This book carries much needed information for all suicidal topics. From physcian assisted suicide, to suicide in general. This informational book has tables and graphs to go along with the great stories and suprising facts. Use this book if you are stumped on a writing or reading project.