Hachette The Center Cannot Hold: My Journey Through Madness

Description

A much-praised memoir of living and surviving mental illness as well as "a stereotype-shattering look at a tenacious woman whose brain is her best friend and her worst enemy" ( Time ). Elyn R. Saks is an esteemed professor, lawyer, and psychiatrist and is the Orrin B. Evans Professor of Law, Psychology, Psychiatry, and the Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California Law School, yet she has suffered from schizophrenia for most of her life, and still has ongoing major episodes of the illness. The Center Cannot Hold is the eloquent, moving story of Elyn's life, from the first time that she heard voices speaking to her as a young teenager, to attempted suicides in college, through learning to live on her own as an adult in an often terrifying world. Saks discusses frankly the paranoia, the inability to tell imaginary fears from real ones, the voices in her head telling her to kill herself (and to harm others), as well as the incredibly difficult obstacles she overcame to become a highly respected professional. This beautifully written memoir is destined to become a classic in its genre. Review: Excellent book well worth your time and money - Wow. What can I say? This book is such an excellent read that I recommend it to everyone and anyone who is interested in reading an autobiography about a Jewish woman who overcame a livelong battle with a mental illness only to emerge victorious and highly successful, helping countless people in the process. I recently bought this book after researching similar ones on desertcart about schizophrenia. I wanted to read about the mental illness and share it with someone who also wanted to read and discuss the same book together. I was given the task of choosing such a book. After reading many book reviews, this one had the most reviews, most positive reviews, and when I read the synopsis, I decided it was it. This was the book. This book was so hard to put down. I read it from cover to cover in a matter of a few days. It would have taken me a shorter time, had I had the time to sit down and read it all in one go. It was a real page turner, really well written, highly entertaining and informative, and beautifully crafted. The real events in her life dealing with schizophrenia are sad and terrifying, but it was something she suffered through and remembered clearly enough to retell it in highly descriptive detail, drawing the reader in with every battle. I especially loved the ending, with her recent academic accomplishments and accolades and of course, her wedding to her husband. The Center Cannot Hold was a comforting and thrilling read for me. Although I could not relate to much of her life and experiences, the book was moving and touching. I highly recommend Elyn Saks's book, The Center Cannot Hold to my parents, friends, family, and husband as well as to everyone in the general public. It is an excellent book that is well worth your time and money. Review: Outstanding book - One of the best books I have ever read!