5150 - One Who Flew Into The Cuckoo's Nest (Paperback)

by Kathi Stringer (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A true story about personal journey in the following domains: Psychiatric Hospital(s), DID, Borderline PD, PTSD, Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Transsexualism, and Infantilism. First time a book is published that resonates with the psychiatric hospital progress notes. More FEEDBACK: I finished reading the book last night at 03:12 AM. I could not let go of it. I could not close my laptop. I went out to meet some friends but hurried back. This time it's a winner: taut, tense prose; a plot as captivating as any thriller's; a real-life story that reads like a nightmare and that ends in personal redemption. Couched in a lean and muscular text, all the important themes are here: self-discovery, one against the many, iconoclastic rebel faces down the system, justice for all, mental illness as a mechanism for social coercion. What a ride! What a treat! Brilliant. Sam Vaknin Ph.D.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kathi Stringer (July 12, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615153593
• ISBN-13: 978-0615153599
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #182,972 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A journey into Hell and out to Reality., December 14, 2007

By	Joseph Silverthorn "Professor, Researcher" (Bremerton, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kathi Stringer has written a personal account of her journey through the hell of the misinformed and sometimes biased world of the mental patient that very little is known of. She illustrates how misinformation, bias, and control over-ride the need for realistic investigation, research and compassion when it comes to over-burdened public systems. She has also, shown the ability, like people similar to herself, to rise above the quagmire they sometimes find themselves thrust into, to combat the system and make things better for herself and others. I found her trial, sadly, similar to others who have shared the abuse, neglect, and isolation she has endured. I enthusiastically suggest that this is a helpful tool for any social-worker, psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist that may deal with someone who exibits similar personality traits to Kathi's. It is a very useful tool for assisting one to understand, somewhat, what she has been through. The book is interesting, informative and realistic.

Joseph Silverthorn, Professor and Researcher
Bremerton, Washington

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5150 The One Who Flew Into The Cuckoo's Nest, December 14, 2007

By	Paula Minegar - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book goes to a different level, I haven't read anything like it. I felt a different emotion with every turn of the page. When I could put it down, I recapped the previous pages over and over in my mind. I wish I had a tenth of the strength this author has. A great read, a shocking education.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, January 9, 2008

By	Jim Gottstein (Anchorage, Alaska) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

5150 is an extraordinary and compelling account of mistreatment at the hands of the mental health system after an extremely abusive and terrifying childhood. It is also a testament to the human spirit. Kathi Stringer has been subjected to more cruelty than it seems possible anyone could endure. She emerges from true hell to help others, but hardly intact. Grippingly written, this book uniquely intersperses hospital progress notes with the narrative and gives an objection by objection account of legal proceedings by a lawyer really fighting for her client. This is a real world account by someone labeled crazy who is everything but. This is an important and highly recommended book, especially for mental health professionals, family members, and others who are interested in knowing how involuntary commitment is experienced.