This is a fairly straightforward factor analysis of suicidal crises. The author aligns himself with all those who consider it an existential problem and a sign of our times. He criticises judgmental attitudes and regards an empathic approach as the most helpful mode of communication, a way of reaching into the inner darkness of the afflicted. It is this personal approach which, in his view, creates the possibility for defeat to change to victory, for the intent to death to change to a wish for life. The major part of this work concerns itself with the suicidal tendencies of the successful, gifted, striving, demonically-driven person, the incarnation of which in German literature is Goeth's Faust. The moment of success is filled with emptiness and the wish, conscious or unconscious, for meaning of another quality.

Although it does not add anything significantly new this is a well-written and sensitive paper on a subject of universal interest.