The single most important character in this book is the author herself. While revealing little about her background, this ground-breaking project was clearly within her sphere of specialized interest and was successful only due to her determination to make a difference for the terminally ill and their families. Her European background, where death is discussed openly and handled in a healthy way, was at odds with the cultural customs she observed in this country. Almost single-handedly, Dr. Kubler-Ross broke open this field for Americans and ultimately, changed the way we deal with this sensitive subject.
On Death and Dying