An Unquiet Mind

A Memoir of Moods and Madness

By: Kay Redfield Jamison

Narrated by: Kay Redfield Jamison

Length: 2 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A deeply powerful memoir about bipolar illness that has both transformed and saved lives—with a new preface by the author.

Dr. Jamison is one of the foremost authorities on manic-depressive (bipolar) illness; she has also experienced it firsthand. For even while she was pursuing her career in academic medicine, Jamison found herself succumbing to the same exhilarating highs and catastrophic depressions that afflicted many of her patients, as her disorder launched her into ruinous spending sprees, episodes of violence, and an attempted suicide.

Here Jamison examines bipolar illness from the dual perspectives of the healer and the healed, revealing both its terrors and the cruel allure that at times prompted her to resist taking medication.

©1995 Kay Redfield Jamison (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

“An invaluable memoir of manic depression, at once medically knowledgeable, deeply human and beautifully written ... at times poetic, at times straightforward, always unashamedly honest.”—The New York Times Book Review

“Stands alone in the literature of manic-depression for its bravery, brilliance and beauty.”—Oliver Sacks

“Jamison’s [strength] is in the gutsy way she has made her disease her life’s work and in her brilliant ability to convey its joys and its anguish.... Extraordinary.” —Washington Post Book World

For anyone with bipolar or curious about it or lithium

It's a quick listen and narrated by the author, whose emotion is carried on her voice. This is great story for learning about bipolar and lithium.

Great book!

Gives hope to mental health professionals who are also struggling with this illness. Thank you.

Very insightful look

For someone who has suffered from what is now known as Bipolar Disorder for most of her life. This book was reassuring and insightful.

Personal insight into mental health struggles

Really helpful for my own struggles to hear in detail everything the author has been through. Recommend for sure

Listen closely: there's much to learn

Kay Redfield Jamison speaks with rare authority, personally and academically. When my wife listened to a few minutes of this book while we were out working in the garage, she said that she'd find the narration of An Unquiet Mind unbearable. I might, too. Except for the fact that the author's voice, in my opinion, may say something about bipolar disorder and the treatment: it isn't easy to have to take medicines that quiet an Unquiet Mind, though they may be utterly necessary. As well, I found the story so compelling that the narration faded into the background. There were, however, times when her voice, however monotone it was, shifted. Those moments coincided with some breakthrough or change in her story. In this moments, when she spills all her pain to her psychiatrist, when her first boyfriend dies, and other events, left me feeling like I needed to pull off the road. It's like you're riding along with a friend and they begin to tell you some utterly unknown and dark secret. The cadence suddenly drops off and you hear their voice crack and you can't stop listening but feel you need to pause to take it all in. As one who sees bipolar patients on a frequent basis, though not for therapy, hearing Jamison read AND tell her story deepened my understanding and compassion for those who struggle with bipolar (my recollection is that she prefers manic-depressive) disorder. Her academic and personal knowledge will continue to help me be a better helper. I will listen to more of her books.

One additional note: We live in a bipolar society with everyone divided into their own polarized Camp. Jamison does a magnificent job of creating the case for taking medication, for therapy, for getting credible help. There is no easy and no unscientific fix. A polarized approach helps no one, not in psychology and not in life.

Riviting and captavating.

I absolutely loved this book. Once I started it, I couldn't stop. It personally helped me a lot. The narrator is Kay Redfield Johnson. It was great to not only hear here story, but to hear it directly from here.

Singular first person story of madness.

If you could sum up The Unquiet Mind in three words, what would they be?

Fascinating, inspiring,touching

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kay the narrator, because she was clearly going outside her private comfort zone to tell her story.

Which scene was your favorite?

When her lover was being buried with the English military honors.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no.

Quick, helpful listen

Very quick, yet FULL of wisdom, scientific knowledge, and shared experiences that will have the reader feel as if they are understood, as well.

Eye opening and emotional, regardless of whether or not you suffer from a mental illness

It's rare to find a non-fiction book that is so educational and eye-opening, yet reads as effortlessly as a fiction novel. By the time you're done with it, you'll know more about manic depressive disorder/bipolar disorder than you would from any textbook.

The only reason why I didn't rate it 5 stars overall is because this audiobook version is not the same as the current edition on sale now. This may not be an issue for most people (I like to read along with the book) but it's still important to know, especially if you've been assigned to read this book for a class. The audio and written versions aren't TOO different, but the written version does include a really interesting chapter regarding the author's opinion of the term "manic-depressive" being changed to "bipolar".

Manic Depressive Memoir

I ordered this book after hearing it had high reviews. I was under the impression that the author would be discussing bipolar disorder. But, instead, the author narrated her personal story with manic depression. The author narrates with such a monotone that it was a difficult listen and not enticing. It was only a short 3 hour listen.