The reviewer states that this book is “the best general suicide book in English” that he knows. He recommends it for both general readers & suicidologists. According to the reviewer, the book provides a good overview of suicide covering, among other things, attitudes toward suicide throughout history & suicide in different subcultures. Overall, Maltsberger felt the few flaws in the book were minor, & that “this book is a fine achievement & deserves to be read widely”. (2 refs.)