Cicely Saunders is universally acclaimed as a pioneer of modern hospice care. Trained initially in nursing and social work, she qualified in medicine in 1958 and subsequently dedicated the whole of her professional life to improving the care of dying and bereaved people. Founding St Christopher's Hospice in London in 1967, she encouraged a radical new approach to end-of-life care, combining attention to physical, social, emotional, and spiritual problems, brilliantly captured in her concept of ‘total pain’. Saunders' ideas about clinical care, education, and research have been hugely influential, leading to numerous prizes and awards in recognition of her humanitarian achievements.

This book presents a selection of her vast correspondence, together with the author's commentary. The letters of Cicely Saunders tell a remarkable story of vision, determination, and creativity. They should be read by anyone interested in how we die in the modern world.