A history of the right-to-die in America, Filene has achieved a remarkable balance of the specific and the general, the personal and the objective. His analysis of the interaction between the American focus on the individual and the basic human need to relate to others is fascinating. A book that deals with an experience which we all share and yet must all go through alone, I was brought to tears several times.

In The Arms of Others is an extremely moving story of people, including the Quinlan family, who have faced agonizing decisions about whether to continue to maintain life support for a comatose loved one. The book gives a clear picture of the laws and medical practices that families deal with...and will provide readers information to help them make up their own minds. The story is gripping as a novel. I found it profoundly stirring, even though I don't have such a life-and-death decision before me now.

I enjoyed reading this coming of age book. Growing up with six brothers, I found that I could identify with the male teenage struggle to understand where one comes from and where one might be headed. The writing was simple, clear and humorous. As Murray Baum learns from his history teacher, he is a player as well as a researcher of life. Once he decided to be a player, he opened himself up to a few interesting adventures.