Bipolar General

My Forever War with Mental Illness

By: Maj. Gen Gregg F. Martin USA (Ret), Gen. Martin E. Dempsey USA (Ret) - foreword

Narrated by: George W. Sarris

Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Maj. Gen. Gregg Martin cut a striking figure in the Army: athletic, quick witted, devout, and studious, he was a natural leader. Thanks to his engineering and leadership knowhow, Martin was chosen to lead the thousands of combat engineers who paved the way for 100,000 Army troops to battle their way to Baghdad in 2003. Only years later would he learn how the pressure of organizing dozens of simultaneous life-or-death missions each day altered the biochemistry of his brain. The Iraq War triggered what military and Veterans Administration psychiatrists ultimately diagnosed as late-onset bipolar disorder, a chemical imbalance that sends sufferers whipsawing between grandiose imaginings and suicidal depressions. His increasing erratic behavior led to his forced resignation as president of the National Defense University and ended his military career.

Bipolar General offers a candid account of Martin's personal journey with undiagnosed mental illness as he rose through the ranks of the United States Army. He discusses why his condition went undiagnosed for so long and explores what can be done both within and outside the armed forces to diagnose and treat mental illness. Bipolar General should be of value to those with mental illness and to the communities of family, friends, and caregivers surrounding them.

©2023 the U.S. Naval Institute (P)2023 Tantor

This book can help save lives

Great read/listen on Audible. This is a phenomenal contribution to better understanding bipolar disorder from a first-hand account. It provides great insights from family and colleagues who provide their own perspectives on Gregg's descent into the disorder and recovery. It provides clues on how to potentially detect signs in others and how to get help. Had this book been written three years ago, I might have been better able to see the signs in my son's West Point roommate and been able to intervene before he took his own life. I served with Gregg Martin as a subordinate in 2010 and was witness to his hypomania which enabled him to be extremely effective...until it didn't. I did not learn of his later struggles and path to recovery until 2018. It took courage to write this book and be so open but he did so in order to help save others. Read or listen!!

Great book about mental health

General Martin’s book is groundbreaking. To have a prominent Army general write such an honest and transparent book about his struggle with bi-polar disorder is profound and will shine a light on mental illness in a positive way. Many will read this book and recognize that either they or people they know may be suffering without a diagnosis. Hopefully, at a minimum, the US military system will take note and make improvements to mental health care for service members and their families. The threat of losing your security clearance is a definite deterrent in the military system for someone to seek mental health care they might need, as General Martin points out. The military health care and security systems must work better together to take care of our service members.

Anyone with mental health concerns for themselves or family members or friends should read this book. It might just change their life or the life of someone they love—perhaps even save a life.

Say it louder!

I spoke with you briefly at the Mental Health Symposium held aboard NAS Jacksonville in Florida and could tell that you're genuine with your words on mental health and military service members. Thank you for sharing your experience with us and for using your voice to help others who maybe reluctant to seek help. Furthermore, thank you for shining a light on the VIP treatment as it pertains to certain leaders. I think far too often this is overlooked and people stay in positions they shouldn't hold and make life harder for those they"lead." Your story is compelling and brought to my attention some things about bipolar disorder that I wasn't aware of. I will make it an effort to recommend your book to others as I feel that it will help many active duty service members seek help.

Great story. Not so great narration.

Raw testimony of an extremely important topic! Thank you sir for your honesty and vulnerability!

Bad narration detracts from important message

Hearing a patient describe his own mania, depression, delusions, and grandiosity should be revelatory. But the narrator doesn’t do the story justice. He pronounces it BYE-polar DIS-order (rather than biPOlar disORder). He has a strange cadence in which he puts unnecessary pauses between words. He say “radar” like he’s a cross between George W. Bush and Forrest Gump. It’s too bad. This is an important story. I applaud General Martin for sharing his darkest personal details in an effort to broaden awareness of mental illness. I only wish I had purchased the text rather than the audiobook.

Not just a book

Bipolar General is a testament to the human spirit’s indomitable will to overcome, to rise above, and to embrace life in all its complexity.

I loved my soldiers

Gregg Martin takes us on an eye-opening ride with his book "Bipolar General," highlighting how being real, understanding, and seeing things from different angles are the real deal in leading others. It's a heartfelt reminder that leadership isn’t about being the toughest in the room; it's about being brave enough to show your true self, especially in places where guys are expected to always be strong. This book is a game-changer, showing that empathy and openness, especially when dealing with mental health issues, can actually make you a legend, not just during your career but even after you've hung up your boots. It’s a five-star must-read for anyone looking to lead with heart and make a real difference.

Important for leaders as well as those suffering from mental illness.

I met Gregg at a Christian conference we were both speaking at. We were both retired MGens talking to ROTC cadets. I had no idea that Gregg was suffering from bipolar disorder. When Gregg asked me to review his book the title shocked me. As I read it I realized just how important it is for both leaders and those suffering from one of the many mental illnesses. It was doubly important for me as I have close friends and people who worked for me suffering from bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD or some other mental challenge. This is a long book but its importance makes it worth the time it takes to read or listen to it.