Didn't finish. Interesting, but not compelling for me. I can see how it could be compelling for others, though. ( )

Mimi Baird writes about her brilliant father who had some revolutionary insights into bipolar disorder long before anyone else did. He was involuntarily committed over and over to mental institutions, and she was kept from knowing much about him until she was an adult. In fact, I think she didn't write this book until she was in her 60s or 70s. I just found out Brad Pitt has optioned it for a movie. How's that for continuing to grow even in older age? ( )

Beautifully written. Excellent read. Touching story of mental illness told through medical records, diary entries and a manuscript. ( )

I have read half of this book, twice. Each time I reach the half way point I peter out and never pick it back up. I even tried the audio book version. I'm not sure what it is about this book, but I can't seem to care about any of the people in it. It's odd because it's right up my alley. I love medical books, especially ones that are non-fiction and about abnormal psychology, but Dr. Baird provides no insight for me.

this beautifully written account of one man's suffering and treatment of manic depression during the early 1940s, as told years later by his daughter, who did exhaustive research. book is both heartbreaking and hair-raising, i found it hard to put down and, once i got into it, to pick up. ( )