Penguin, 2005
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Click here to see a larger image of the book cover
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Photos from
Killing Me Softly
Philip with motor neurone sufferer, Sandy Williamson, at her home in Melbourne, July 2002
Exit supporters inspecting the CoGenie at Exit's conference in Sydney, May 2002
Philip at Parliament House, Canberra, burning the Rights of The Terminally Ill Act 1995 and the Constitution of the Northern Territory as a symbolic protest in the early hours of 24 March 1997, after the Act had been overturned by the passing of the Kevin Andrews Bill in Senate
Philip with co-author Dr Fiona Stewart
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"A book that advances the debate on dying painlessly and with dignity is welcome – particularly at this time."
– Janet Holmes a Court
Australian businesswoman
"Should people be able to learn how to end their own lives? Philip Nitschke makes a powerful and moving case for individual choice in this debate."
– Professor Peter Singer
Princeton University
What the Critics say:
"You'll either be for or against euthanasia, but this book puts Nitschke and the debate in perspective"
Herald Sun (30 April 2005)
"Dr Nitschke writes eloquently, and the letters of thanks to him quoted in the book are incredibly moving. But this book is reasonably well balanced between his own arguments and his opponents ... For doctors especially, allow me to thoroughly recommend this book."
Focus - The Australian Doctor Magazine (June 2005)
Killing Me Softly is a radical and compelling examination of the current euthanasia debate.
Frustrated by continuing controversy and political inaction in this area, Philip Nitschke and Fiona Stewart present a powerful argument in favour of our right to die as we choose.
Their concerns include the way in which the medical profession has assumed ‘ownership’ of death, and the fact that existing laws restrict our end-of-life choices. They offer a future where a ‘Peaceful Pill’ could revolutionise euthanasia just as the contraceptive pill transformed birth control a generation ago.
This book is recommended reading, not just for those who already believe we have the right to choose a dignified death but also for anyone still to be persuaded.
Buy a signed copy ONLINE from Exit using our secure form OR DOWNLOAD our Fax-Mail order form
OR visit your local book shop.
Contents
Introduction - Coming to grips with death
1 - Will the real Philip Nitschke please stand up
2 - Lessons from Darwin
3 - The state of VE laws around the globe
4 - An unholy trinity - medicine, law and the church
5 - Palliative care - between the truth and lies
6 - What's wrong with slow euthanasia
7 - Tired of life
8 - Legal constraints and legal opportunities
9 - The joys of technology
10 - Exit clinics and workshops
11 - Peace in a pill
Conclusion - the empire strikes back
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Dr Philip Nitschke is the world’s leading authority on voluntary euthanasia, being the first doctor in the world to legally administer VE. He is now Director of Exit International.
Dr Fiona Stewart is a public health sociologist who has worked as an academic, newspaper opinion writer and consultant.
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