Do not despair : the cultural significance of suicide in America, 1780-1840 / by Richard James Bell.

[2006], ©2006.

551 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

"Specifically, this investigation examines five arenas of contention about the mission of the republic in which conflicting ideas about suicide played central, formative roles: the expansion of print culture, campaigns to abolish slavery and reform the criminal justice sytem, the anti-drowning movement, crusades against drinking, dueling and gambling, and the bitter denominational squabbles that accompanied the Second Great Awakening." -- [Abstract].

doctoral Harvard University 2006.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 466-551).

Photocopy. Ann Arbor, Mich. : University Microfilms International, 2008. 22 cm.