This insightful, compassionate, and lucidly written handbook by a world renowned cardiologist is also a personal testimonial by a surviving cancer patient and an informative guide to end-of-life issues. Dr. Basta relies on his medical expertise and first-hand experience with a life-threatening illness to critique our death-denying, technologically obsessed culture, while giving patients the means to take control of their final days. To ensure that patients are empowered to provide for their final needs, he provides a revolutionary, clear, simple, and medical-scenario-specific Advance Care Plan, which gives each of us the opportunity to execute all-important life-and-death decisions before we are afflicted with a serious health problem and before decisions are irrevocable.In sum, this book is a tribute to the highly treasured doctor-patient relationship. Readers who feel that doctors have lost touch with the patient's perspective will welcome Dr. Basta's empathy and caring tone.