In his illuminating history, Georges Minois examines how a culture's attitudes about suicide reflect its larger beliefs and values - perspectives on life and death, duty and honor, pain and pleasure. Minois addresses a wide range of questions drawn from theology, law, literature, science, and medicine. Under what circumstances has suicide been honored or condemned? On what grounds, if any, can it be justified? Under what conditions do suicides increase or decrease? Does legislation make any difference?

Does religion? How does the historical record disclose or obscure suicides? Minois concludes with comments on the most recent turn in this long and complex history - the emotional debate over euthanasia, assisted suicide, and the right to die.