WHEN DOES A PERSON STOP BEING A PERSON?: Review

[Arnold R. Beisser], who is now in his 60's, was victimized by polio in his 20's, and though he became a quadriplegic in an iron lung he never yielded to the agonies and inconveniences of his condition. He gives the impression in his writing of limitless bravery, as well as a capacity for profound thought that has helped him in his latter-day career as a professor of psychiatry in Los Angeles, an author of many books and a respected medical consultant. These would seem accomplishments enough even if it were not noted what he had to give up: some 40 years ago he was a doctor, won a national tennis championship and enjoyed an active social life. One cannot help saluting his courage. ''A Graceful Passage'' is the account of a remarkable and rarely downcast trip from the cradle to the cemetery (where, at this writing, I am glad to say he has not yet arrived).