Suicidal

Why We Kill Ourselves

By: Jesse Bering

Narrated by: Joe Hempel

For much of his 30s, Jesse Bering thought he was probably going to kill himself. He was a successful psychologist and writer, with books to his name and bylines in major magazines. But none of that mattered. The impulse to take his own life remained. At times it felt all but inescapable.

Bering survived. And in addition to relief, the fading of his suicidal thoughts brought curiosity. Where had they come from? Would they return? Is the suicidal impulse found in other animals? Or is our vulnerability to suicide a uniquely human evolutionary development? In Suicidal, Bering answers all these questions and more, taking us through the science and psychology of suicide, revealing its cognitive secrets and the subtle tricks our minds play on us when we're easy emotional prey. Scientific studies, personal stories, and remarkable cross-species comparisons come together to help listeners critically analyze their own doomsday thoughts while gaining broad insight into a problem that, tragically, will most likely touch all of us at some point in our lives.

Authoritative, accessible, personal, profound - there's never been a book on suicide like this. It will help you understand yourself and your loved ones, and it will change the way you think about this most vexing of human problems.

©2018 Jesse Bering (P)2019 Tantor

Great info

This is just what I needed. Great info for my path. The timing is perfect. I can take care of things now.

The book I was looking for.

I thoroughly enjoyed this unapologetic and unashamed exploration of suicide. As another has pointed out and as thoroughly discussed in the book, publishing this sort of information may have moral implications by increasing the likelihood of at risk persons killing themselves. That said, as someone who has dealt with suicidal ideation from the time I was a young child, I appreciated the open minded and nothing off limits approach which helped me to explore many of the questions I’ve had surrounding the topic and as a result helped me feel less alienated. Jesse was bold enough to even have a dark sense of humor when discussing the topic. This again may bother others, but struck me as authentic and reminiscent of my own thoughts.

Beware

I didn't like this book. The author presents suicide as acceptable in some cases, which I did not think was appropriate. Also I was offended by his attempt to indoctrinate me with his atheist agenda. He was very belittling to people of faith. I don't have a problem with him being a non-believer, but the way he came across as superior for having figured out there's no God was elitist and wrong. I would not recommend this book.

Great read

Helped me see I’m not alone and started me on a journey of healing. Thanks to the author for being vulnerable.

A book about suicide where the author talks very little about suicide.

Much of this book is academic, self important prattle. If you want to know about suicide REID Kay Redfield Jamison's book Night Falls Fast.