Books
The Day I Die: The Untold Story of Assisted Dying in America by Anita Hannig
“In this groundbreaking book, award-winning cultural anthropologist Anita Hannig brings us into the lives of ordinary Americans who go to extraordinary lengths to set the terms of their own death. Faced with a terminal diagnosis and unbearable suffering, they decide to seek medical assistance in dying―a legal option now available to one in five Americans.”
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
“American medicine, Being Mortal reminds us, has prepared itself for life but not for death. This is Atul Gawande’s most powerful—and moving—book.” – Malcolm Gladwell
Aging with a Plan by Sharona Hoffman
“This book offers a concise, comprehensive resource for middle-aged readers who are facing the prospects of their own aging and of caring for elderly relatives—an often overwhelming task for which little in life prepares us.” – Sharona Hoffman
Modern Death: How Medicine Changed the End of Life by Haider Warraich
“Dr. Warraich’s quest is remarkable: He wants us to confront the act of dying. A caring and thoughtful doctor, he also writes beautifully—drawing from his own patients and from statistics, medical ethics, literature, and the sciences.” – Siddhartha Mukherjee
On My Own by Diane Rehm
“Rehm doesn’t have all the answers, nor does she pretend to. What she does have, as always, is a flurry of important questions, perfectly considered and potently posed.” – USA Today
When My Time Comes by Diane Rehm
Through interviews with terminally ill patients, and with physicians, ethicists, spouses, relatives, and representatives of those who vigorously oppose the movement, Rehm gives voice to a broad range of people who are personally linked to the realities of medical aid in dying.
Wild and Precious Life by Deborah Ziegler
A memoir about the life, death and paradigm-shifting advocacy of Brittany Maynard, written by her mother.
Extreme Measures: Finding a Better Path to the End of Life by Jessica Zitter
“Part memoir, part exposé, this book is an insider’s view of intensive care in America and its impact on how we die… A clarion call for end-of-life care that aligns with what each patient values most.” – Lucy Kalanithi
- Learn more about Dr. Zitter and her work, and download a discussion guide here.
- The short documentary from 2016, Extremis, features Dr. Jessica Zittner and is currently available on Netflix.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
“Thanks to When Breath Becomes Air, those of us who never met Paul Kalanithi will both mourn his death and benefit from his life. This is one of a handful of books I consider to be a universal donor—I would recommend it to anyone, everyone.”—Ann Patchett
Choosing to Die: A Personal Story by Phyllis Shacter
“Phyllis Shacter courageously shares the first personal story ever written about Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED). This memoir and guidebook follows the journey she took with her husband, Alan, once he decided to VSED so he didn’t have to live into the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease.” — from the publisher
Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? By Roz Chast
“An amazing portrait of two lives at their end and an only child coping as best she can, Can’t We Talk about Something More Pleasant will show the full range of Roz Chast’s talent as cartoonist and storyteller.”— from the publisher