The Final Leap

February 27, 2012
Well-researched and thoroughly reported, Bateson examines the history and impact of suicides on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge via interviews and profiles of family members of people who have jumped from the famous structure; mental health, rescue, and suicide experts; Bridge District board members; and a few of the “ultra-select” group of unlikely jump survivors. Too often, however, this otherwise darkly enthralling read feels like a long op-ed in favor of erecting a suicide barrier. Bateson portrays the lack of a barrier as indicative of a belief that suicidal people are making a choice based entirely on free will, and argues forcefully against this and for our culture to become more compassionate. With such an important message, a survivor tells Bateson, “Good luck with your book. I hope a lot of people read it, and that it helps end suicides from the bridge.” Hopefully, its narrow focus doesn’t diminish its potential readership and cultural influence.

Starred review from April 1, 2012

One of modern engineering's most beautiful, and deadly, creations is San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. In this book, Bateson (executive director, Contra Costa Crisis Ctr.; Building Hope: Leadership in the Nonprofit World) advocates urgently for the erection of a suicide-prevention barrier at the world's most popular suicide site, whether it be a sufficiently tall railing, a safety net, or another alternative. Since 1937, some 1500 people have killed themselves by jumping the 220 feet from the bridge into icy, rocky, shark-infested waters. Bateson shares not only the stories of "jumpers" but also the grief of those left behind to mourn them. He also delves into the complex reasons for suicidal behavior. The appendixes pay tribute to the lives lost, listing victims' names and vital statistics. Bateson connects readers to resources such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (800-273-TALK), and the bibliography points to an additional wealth of resources, including interviews, studies, articles, books, websites, films, and more. VERDICT Bateson expertly handles the tragedy of suicide against the backdrop of the history and politics surrounding the bridge. This is a deep, dark, poignant, and powerful work.--Brian Smith McCallum, Arlington Heights Memorial Lib., IL

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