Who Says You're Dead?: Medical & Ethical Dilemmas for the Curious & Concerned Hardcover – October 8, 2019

As a healthcare professional myself, I can validate these situations happen more than the public are aware. It’s not always easy to make a decision and this book helps to see both sides of the argument.

This book is essential reading for anyone who think about the ethics of life and being. WIth the verbal economy of poetry and laser sharp insight into human experience, this book is elegant in breadth of consideration. It escapes the mire of over-complication. It's a great book and a wonderful gift. The wonderful author is the subject of the documentary film entitled, Jacob, now streaming on Amazon Video. He's also given us the delight of wonderful fiction. Thank you to this great author and wonderful human. Buy and read anything you can of his, they are all a treat.

This book contains 79 hypothetical cases, that will really leave you thinking. Most of the decisions are for those in the health care profession, but its also good for us potential patients, to think about these in moments of calm, rather than at time of crisis (Hint ,, its important to have a living will/advanced directive). The book is divided into 6 chapters “Inside the mind of a doctor”, “body parts”, “making babies”. “The good of the many”, “practical matters”, and “end-of-life issues”. Note that this book does not tackle “the likely irresolvable le question of when life begins”. There are tradeoffs of quality of life, and sanctity of life. Dr Appel, is very good at laying the tradeoffs of utilitarianism (the best good for the most people), individual rights to your own body (eg. Can you ask a doctor to surgically install a horn?)_, and individual freedoms, without offering a dogmatic answer. Medical resources are limited, and who should make decisions about allocation? In those cases where there are existing laws covering the case (e.g. HIPPA), they are presented, but even then there is some ambiguity. What is clear to me is that the technology and science of medicine has far surpassed our ethical understanding (eg. its now possible for a child to have 4 biological parents!), and way beyond our societies means of reaching a consensus

I liked the knowledge provided in a easy , understandable and well presented chapter, that by the way is not a long chapter . I am actually doing a presentation inspire in one of the chapters.From Knowledge in medical field to laws that protect those who practice this fields, to even decisions that could be taken to make it appear as if you are following those laws . Even when deep inside the decisions made could be self center ,rather than pro patient .Thank you again Jacob,

What a great find. Explore your own ideas about some of the ethical challenges medical professionals face. This is not a book that tells you what to think, but rather provides facts from many sides so you can make your own conclusions. Multiple sources are used to help guide you. This is like an intellectual conversation in book form. Well written, interesting, and witty. Enjoy!

A bit too dry and terse for my taste, I find this compilation of socially important topics overly reduced to key bullet points and pertinent synopses relevant to the topic at hand. I suppose I was hoping for better, more fully developed essays and a more engaging literary style of discourse.

My husband and I like to discuss interesting and controversial topics with a goal of improving our ability to listen to others who think differently in the hope that we can find common ground. This book has proved delightfully interesting, has provided lots of cited information and has helped us work on our goals.

I have previously only read his fiction works. This was an interesting and enlightening read. He is brilliant. If you haven't seen the documentary (JACOB) about him you will be spellbound by it.

Loved how different scenarios were presented, along with different aspects of what should be contemplated. very thought provoking, and shows how any given decision has both direct and indirect impacts. And while the first is easily addressed, the former is less visible but no less important.