- Hardcover: 432 pages
- Publisher: Alfred a Knopf; 1 edition (2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0375401458
- ISBN-13: 978-0375401459
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.7 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
238,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #32 in Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Health Issues > Illnesses & Conditions > Suicide
- #35 in Books > Health, Family & Lifestyle > Psychology & Psychiatry > Specific Topics > Suicide
- See Complete Table of Contents
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'It stands alone in the literature of manic-depression for its bravery, brilliance and beauty' Oliver Sacks 'Night Falls Fast is the first major survey of suicide in 25 years... Jamison has a rare and unerring ability to straddle two worlds; she thinks like a scientist and writes like a novelist. Her prose is clear and exact but also profoundly moving... This is a lyrical, beautifully argued, deep and deeply troubling book and in all respects but one an easy read' Evening Standard
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
From the best-selling author of An Unquiet Mind: the first major book in a quarter century on suicide, with a particular focus on its terrible pull on the young. Night Falls Fast is both compelling and timely: in the United States and across the world there has been a frightening surge in suicides committed by children, adolescents and young adults. It is the third major cause of death in 19- to 24-year-olds, and the second in college students. Dr. Kay Redfield Jamison, an internationally recognized authority on depressive illnesses and their treatment, knows this subject firsthand. At the age of 28, after years of struggling with manic-depression, she attempted to kill herself. Her survival marked the beginning of a life's work to investigate both mental illness and self-inflicted death.
Weaving together a psychological and scientific exploration of the subject with personal essays about individual suicides, Dr. Jamison in this book brings not only her compassion and literary skill, but all of her knowledge, research and clinical experience to bear on this devastating problem. In tracing the network of reasons that underlie suicide, Dr. Jamison gives us astonishing examples of the methods and places people have chosen to kill themselves, and a startling look at their journals, drawings and farewell notes. She also brings us vivid insight into the most recent findings from hospitals and laboratories across the world; the critical biological and psychological factors that interact to cause suicide; the new strategies being evolved to combat them; and the powerful, but insufficiently used treatments from modern medicine.
Night Falls Fast dispels the silence and shame that too often surround suicide; it helps us to understand the suicidal mind, to better recognize the person at risk, and to comprehend the profound and disturbing loss created in those left behind.
Weaving together a psychological and scientific exploration of the subject with personal essays about individual suicides, Dr. Jamison in this book brings not only her compassion and literary skill, but all of her knowledge, research and clinical experience to bear on this devastating problem. In tracing the network of reasons that underlie suicide, Dr. Jamison gives us astonishing examples of the methods and places people have chosen to kill themselves, and a startling look at their journals, drawings and farewell notes. She also brings us vivid insight into the most recent findings from hospitals and laboratories across the world; the critical biological and psychological factors that interact to cause suicide; the new strategies being evolved to combat them; and the powerful, but insufficiently used treatments from modern medicine.
Night Falls Fast dispels the silence and shame that too often surround suicide; it helps us to understand the suicidal mind, to better recognize the person at risk, and to comprehend the profound and disturbing loss created in those left behind.
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First Sentence
NO ONE KNOWS who the first was to slash his throat with a piece of flint, take a handful of poison berries, or intentionally drop his spear to the ground in battle. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
NO ONE KNOWS who the first was to slash his throat with a piece of flint, take a handful of poison berries, or intentionally drop his spear to the ground in battle. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
...help you understand your self, or help you understand a suicidal person you care about.
Although medical professionals may read it, it is a book for anyone and easy to comprehend and feel emotional about.
I know a lot about suicide. It's a subject I have studied for all the wrong reasons since I was a kid. It nearly killed me.
I first read Dr K.R.Jamison's book when I was extremely ill, and it made me feel understood. It opened my eyes about some of my depressed thinking, just long enough to hesitate and live. It also brought home to me, the consequences of taking my life. It didn't always stop me trying to kill myself, but it mostly did. It certainly put me off some of the more gruesome ways to end life.
This book covers dark topics, it has to. It is difficult to read about peoples' pain, and frightening for all. But the book itself reads easily and informs absolutely. I recommend it highly.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Kay Redfield Jamison's own experiences with bipolar disorder and attempted suicide have led her to this excellent, intelligent and compassionate study of a normally taboo subject. Written in a very literate way with great poetry, don't be put off by the subject. Get a hard dose of reality written in a gripping and profound style. Wow.
27 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I first started to read this book whilst in the middle of a depressive episode, it was not a good idea. The book is quite hard to focus on unless you are 100%.
Having said that once I was better, I found the book sensative, informative and knowledgable. Unlike other book's it provide's clear and concise statistical data on the risk's of suicide, and accounts of those who have survived a suicide attempt and those who have died as a result. The types and methods used, and phsyco-analytical information.
The book examines the suicidal mind, and provides history showing that this is not a modern disease. No stone is left unturned.
For those who have survided a suicide attempt themselve's, you will find your self laughing, weeping and empathising as only a true surviour could.
To learn your own mind is a virtue - I would highly recomend this book - especially to all suicide survivours.
Having said that once I was better, I found the book sensative, informative and knowledgable. Unlike other book's it provide's clear and concise statistical data on the risk's of suicide, and accounts of those who have survived a suicide attempt and those who have died as a result. The types and methods used, and phsyco-analytical information.
The book examines the suicidal mind, and provides history showing that this is not a modern disease. No stone is left unturned.
For those who have survided a suicide attempt themselve's, you will find your self laughing, weeping and empathising as only a true surviour could.
To learn your own mind is a virtue - I would highly recomend this book - especially to all suicide survivours.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
understanding the depths of suicide
An incredible read. Heartbreaking stories and the pain and suffering of the sufferers was palpable. Read more
Published 17 months ago by mar
Best book about suicide and manic-depression
Full of informatiom, everything you need to know about Manic Depression. Easy reading. Very impressed with this book.
Published on 15 Jun 2001
listen to what she has to say
Once again Doctor J. has written something that speaks straight to my heart. Iam a manic depressive and been tempted by suicide many times but still I never realized that my... Read more
Published on 21 Oct 1999
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