Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide
By Kay Redfield Jamison

If you're looking for a book that is an excellent read and provides a thorough summary of current information associated with suicidology, I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of Night Falls Fast: Understanding Suicide by Kay Redfield Jamison (1999, Published by Alfred A. Knofp).

I enjoy reading, but I must admit that most of my reading at home is not about suicide. I usually try to keep a balance between my work and home life. That includes reading materials. This book was an exception. I began reading it at the office and, like many of the books I read for pleasure, I found it difficult to put down. It was a joy to find a book on issues of suicide that was so informative, yet so well written.

Kay Jamison has a unique writing style that allows her to weave together statistical information, scientific literature, historical perspectives and personal disclosure. She is so effective that I found myself caught up in the book in the same way I am with a good novel. Never did I feel as though I were reading a primer on suicide. Instead, I found myself engrossed in reading about people. People that could be my family, my neighbors or co-workers. And as I read, I found myself more energized to make a difference in suicide prevention.

As with each of you, I need to balance the demands of a busy schedule. Time doesn't allow us to read everything that goes to press. If you have time for only one book on the topic of suicide, Night Falls Fast is the one to get. As a QPR instructor, you'll acquire useful information and will enjoy yourself in the process.

Review by Vickie Watson