A Long Goodbye

During my training as a chaplain at Baylor University Medical Center, it was considered part of the "dues" of training that one would take lots of being on-call at the hospital for handling of emergencies. To that end, there was a "call room" where a chaplain could catch a little sleep, while waiting. On one of those sleepless nights in the call room, I viewed a Frontline special on the story of Nancy Beth Cruzan. She was a young woman, fully alive, who, as a result of a terrible accident, would become a test case for end-of-life matters for years to come. After seeing that special, I was deeply touched by the need to convey what our wishes were for the ends of our lives. The Nancy Beth Cruzan case took the better part of ten years before resolution. The lawyer who fought for her right to be disconnected from the feeding tube was William Colby, the author of this outstanding book. Those of us on the front lines of trying to help families prepare for the issues they will face at the end of life will find insight into the ramifications of that case, as well as grist for the mill of the work that we are doing.Colby is a highly readable author (at times, I felt like I was reading a Grisham novel), the Cruzan's case is deeply compelling, the story is truly tragic, and readers will come away with an appreciation of the law and concepts that are involved in pursuing these matters. There are several important story lines running throughout this volume: There are the lawyers, one who pulls an unexpected punch; the politicians, aiming for re-election; the Cruzans, especially Nancy's father, Joe, a salt-of-the-earth laborer, broken to the core over the loss of his little girl; a common sense probate judge, just trying to do the right thing; and the right-to-life movement (with whom we generally have sympathy, but not in this case). Indeed, under the skillful telling of Mr. Colby, law itself becomes a character, fickle at times, inflexible at others, and, at the last, compassionate.ElderHope heartily recommends this excellent book.

MR. COLBY HAS WRITTEN A BEAUTIFUL TOUCHING STORY ABOUT THE HEARTBREAK OF A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY. THEY SPENT YEARS TRYING TO GIVE THERE DAUGHTER A DIGNIFIED DEATH. MR. COLBY IS AN ATTORNEY, NOT AN AUTHOR, BUT YOU WOULD NEVER KNOW IT BECAUSE HIS BOOK KEEPS YOU GLUED TO THE PAGES. THE FAMILY IN THIS STORY COULD BE ANYONE OF OURS. I HAVE NEVER MET MR. COLBY BUT, BILL AND MY HUSBAND WERE COUSINS AND I AM VERY PROUD OF HIM. THIS IS ONE "OPRAH" SHOULD PUT ON HER READING LIST. THE WHOLE WORLD COULD LEARN FROM IT.

Bill Colby is a passionate writer, and his genuine care and concern for the Cruzan family shines brightly in this book. It raises powerful questions about the status of American law on the topic and the morality of the decisions that you hope you -- or your family -- will never, ever face. P.S. They call it a legal story, but it's not a difficult read. On the contrary, it's very understandable -- no legalese here!

This is one of the most fascinating books about a legal case that I've ever read. It is fast-moving, riveting, and I couldn't put it down. It covers issues relating to law, medicine, the family, the rights of the individual, and the right to die. It would make a great movie.I recommend this highly--one of the best books I've read this year!

Bill Colby has taken the first right-to-die case to make it to the Supreme Court and has made it into a book you can't put down. On the recommendation of a friend, I sat down with this book after work and ended up finishing it at 2 in the morning! Definitely worth reading - an excellent book.