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Sorrows of a CenturyInterpreting Suicide in New Zealand, 1900-2000 |
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An intimate analysis of the motives for suicide, set amidst the crises of the twentieth century.
In Sorrows of a Century, John Weaver describes how personal relationships, work, poverty, war, illness, and legal troubles have driven thousands to despair. His study is set in twentieth-century New Zealand where - in spite of high standards of living and a commitment to social welfare - citizens have experienced the profound losses and stresses of the human condition.
Focusing on New Zealand because it has the most comprehensive and accessible coroners' records, Weaver analyzes a staggering amount of information to determine the social and cultural factors that contribute to suicide rates. He examines the country's investigations into sudden deaths, places them within the context of major events and societal changes, and turns to witnesses' statements, suicide notes, and medical records to remark on prevention strategies. His extensive survey of twelve thousand cases also provides an insightful assessment of psychiatry and psychology in the last century.
In reviewing the motives and methods of suicide, Weaver points out the complications facing deterrence. Moving beyond the timeless present of the social sciences and the irrationality emphasized in psychology, Sorrows of a Century marshals testimony to highlight the historical context and rational conduct behind suicide.
Focusing on New Zealand because it has the most comprehensive and accessible coroners' records, Weaver analyzes a staggering amount of information to determine the social and cultural factors that contribute to suicide rates. He examines the country's investigations into sudden deaths, places them within the context of major events and societal changes, and turns to witnesses' statements, suicide notes, and medical records to remark on prevention strategies. His extensive survey of twelve thousand cases also provides an insightful assessment of psychiatry and psychology in the last century.
In reviewing the motives and methods of suicide, Weaver points out the complications facing deterrence. Moving beyond the timeless present of the social sciences and the irrationality emphasized in psychology, Sorrows of a Century marshals testimony to highlight the historical context and rational conduct behind suicide.
Details
Part of the McGill-Queen's/Associated Medical Services Studies in the History of Medicine, Health, and Society (number 40 in series)
456 Pages, 6 x 9
20 b&w photos, 25 tables, 17 diagrams
ISBN 9780773542754
February 2014
Formats: Cloth, eBook
“Powerful and poignant, Sorrows of a Century is a compelling approach to unraveling the mysteries surrounding the act of killing oneself.” Ian Dowbiggen, Department of History, University of Prince Edward Island
“Sorrows of a Century makes important contributions to New Zealand history, to histories of suicide, and to the wider scholarship of historical and archival methods. Impressively researched and thoroughly analyzed, it is clearly the work of an accomplished historian and writer.” Catharine Coleborne, History Programme, School of Social Sciences, University of Waitkato
"In this remarkable book, John C. Weaver looks at every suicide inquest in New Zealand for a full century - this is not a sample. The power of this book is the mass of human testimony and case histories, sensitively described and set in long-run historical context that drives home the complexity of the need some human beings feel to take their own lives and the critical role of the economy and social institutions in making troubled lives bearable." American Historical Review
"This landmark history [based on] a thorough search of the inquest files has yielded a more reliable total than that indicated by official reports, which were susceptible to compassionate under-counting. As 'keyholes' to the past, these files have yielded intensely personal information about hundreds of illustrative cases. The book makes for compelling reading." Journal of New Zealand Studies
“Sorrows of a Century makes important contributions to New Zealand history, to histories of suicide, and to the wider scholarship of historical and archival methods. Impressively researched and thoroughly analyzed, it is clearly the work of an accomplished historian and writer.” Catharine Coleborne, History Programme, School of Social Sciences, University of Waitkato
"In this remarkable book, John C. Weaver looks at every suicide inquest in New Zealand for a full century - this is not a sample. The power of this book is the mass of human testimony and case histories, sensitively described and set in long-run historical context that drives home the complexity of the need some human beings feel to take their own lives and the critical role of the economy and social institutions in making troubled lives bearable." American Historical Review
"This landmark history [based on] a thorough search of the inquest files has yielded a more reliable total than that indicated by official reports, which were susceptible to compassionate under-counting. As 'keyholes' to the past, these files have yielded intensely personal information about hundreds of illustrative cases. The book makes for compelling reading." Journal of New Zealand Studies
John C. Weaver is Distinguished University Professor at McMaster University and the author of A Sadly Troubled History: The Meanings of Suicide in the Modern Age and The Great Land Rush and the Making of the Modern World, 1650-1900.
Tables, Graphs, and Figures ix
Acknowledgments xiii
Preface xix
Introduction 3
1 Long-Term Perspectives: Chronology, Gender, Life-Course, Ethnicity, and Method 15
2 Relationships: Sex, Alcohol, and Violence, 1900-80 59
3 Dark Days and Golden Weather: Despair and Work, 1900-80 95
4 Life Diminished: Illness and Trauma, 1900-2000 125
5 Mental Illnesses: Representation and Therapy, 1900-2000 167
6 The Youth Suicide Panic: Framing a Mental Health Crisis, 1988-96 224
7 What Is Happening to Our Children? Youth Suicides, 1980-2000 254
8 Decisions: Impulse and Reason in Historical Time, 1900-2000 292
Conclusion: History’s Patterns and Prevention’s Obstacles 333
Appendix One: Methodology 341
Appendix Two: Writing Style 347
Notes 349
Bibliography 409
Index 429
Acknowledgments xiii
Preface xix
Introduction 3
1 Long-Term Perspectives: Chronology, Gender, Life-Course, Ethnicity, and Method 15
2 Relationships: Sex, Alcohol, and Violence, 1900-80 59
3 Dark Days and Golden Weather: Despair and Work, 1900-80 95
4 Life Diminished: Illness and Trauma, 1900-2000 125
5 Mental Illnesses: Representation and Therapy, 1900-2000 167
6 The Youth Suicide Panic: Framing a Mental Health Crisis, 1988-96 224
7 What Is Happening to Our Children? Youth Suicides, 1980-2000 254
8 Decisions: Impulse and Reason in Historical Time, 1900-2000 292
Conclusion: History’s Patterns and Prevention’s Obstacles 333
Appendix One: Methodology 341
Appendix Two: Writing Style 347
Notes 349
Bibliography 409
Index 429
9780773554863
$120.00 CAD
Cloth
9780773528970
$110.00 CAD
Cloth
