Cicely Saunders

Dame Cicely Saunders OM died earlier this year and must be counted as one of the most significant medical innovators of the 20th century. Her headmistress said of her 'I should be greatly surprised if anything deterred her once shd has decied to embark on a piece of work'. Her seminal contribution in creating the hospice movement in the UK is documented in this extensive collection of letters. For the editor it is a real labour of love. He introduces the three sections with biographical material while footnotes identify both people and the background to references in the letters. They are full of passion, practical vision, humour and humanity and make for engrossing reading, especially for those with medical interests.