Hendin, Herbert, Suicide in America, Norton, 1996.

Hendin, a psychiatrist, casts new light on the problem of suicide. He demonstrates that treatment of seriously suicidal people is possible. He shows how American social policy toward suicide is marked by misconceptions. He also evaluates the right-to-die movement.

Jamison, Kay Redfield, Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide, Vintage, 2000.

Jamison, a psychiatrist, explores the psychology of those who commit suicide, especially people under the age of forty. She discusses manic-depression, suicide in different cultures and eras, suicide notes, suicide methods, preventive treatments, and the devastating effects of suicide on loved ones. The book includes many anecdotes about people who have committed suicide.

Marcus, Eric, Why Suicide?: Answers to 200 of the Most Frequently Asked Questions about Suicide, Attempted Suicide, HarperSanFrancisco, 1996.

Marcus, whose father committed suicide when Marcus was twelve, examines suicide from a variety of angles in a question-and-answer format. This...