Written by a journalist who interviewed all the adults involved in Emily's illness and death, this remarkable book records several years of living with a brutal progressive illness and a decision to resist prolongation of life.  Since it was published in 1987, discussion of the right to die has become more public, but the issues it raises remain pressing for ethics committees, families, and patients.  Once in the hospital, it is very difficult to retrieve control over end-of-life decisions that have become increasingly complicated as the means to prolong life functions have become more sophisticated and routine.   Malcolm's narrative, which weaves together the material he gathered in extensive interviews and Emily's own words, is compelling, reflecting the considerable work he has done as a journalist on the medical, legal, and ethical dimensions of end-of-life decisions.  This is an important book to make available to those facing such decisions.  Though it was written 25 years ago, it continues to speak to an urgent issue for those who suffer from terminal conditions and their families.