Customer Reviews

A Can of Madness: Memoir on bipolar disorder and manic depression

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chipmunka Publishing are now offering a new edition of this very
special book, which is a classic.
Jason Pegler shares his journey through the high and low mood swings associated with his condition known as Manic depression, Bi-polar disorder.

I cannot recommend this book too highly to anyone who may have friends or family members struggling with this terrible affliction.

Having known Jason for just over a year now, I was completely shocked when I met him , as I would never have known how ill he had been had I not read his book first.

He comes across as being very angry,( rightly so ).

Having spoken with him many times about the inspiration behind his writing, I know the anger is part of his episodes, and writing about it is his way of dealing with it and moving forward.

He is so calm, gentle and level-headed, and has reached out his hand to me and rescued me from the struggles with my own illness by turning me into a published author overnight , and teaching me that illness can be an artistic, creative thing,

His calm gentle positivity and willingness to treat me as a human being with value has helped me to recover from my own episodes of severe paralysis and anxiety.

This book should be read by mental health service users, carers and medical professionals alike.

Jason is inspirational to all of us by making us see that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, and it is not only ok, but necessary for one's own recovery to speak out openly about mental illness.

Sufferers need never feel alone with their illness again after reading this ground-breaking text

I am in awe of the courage and honesty coming from this brave man's story, Keep spreading the word , Jason, We all need you.

Fiona Whelpton BA Author of "The Cycle Path"

Chipmunka publishing consultant, journalist, poet and musician.

The story of a young man determined to overcome his manic depression... This autobiography is written with self- effacement. It's very easy for the reader to have empathy for him, and to imagine his pain and his long fight. To recommend to all disorder sufferers, but also their family, friends, and the general public who wants to learn more about this illness. The happy end gives you the motivation to continue the struggle against the disease.

This autobiography by Jason Pegler is written in perfect words: a nice balance of humor and serious talking. A required reading for everybody who concerned, directly or not by manic depression.
In my top 5 books!

After finishing this book I was moved to tears of joy and sadness by the last page. Such a compelling book (definetly in my top 5 ever). I couldn't put it down. For all those people that aren't sure whether to buy it - look past the gloomy cover and the subject matter. This is both funny and gripping and not depressing to read at all. Its told in a very witty warts and all style which really gives this book the edge to other books in a similar genre. Having been part of the old rave scene I could relate to Peglars antics as a teenager. Also having a brother with scizophrenia I could relate to Peglars experiences with his illness, the effects on his relationships and his experience of the mental health system in the UK. However this book has mass appeal and is a potential bestseller, even for those people that aren't so closely linked to the subect matter. Tell your friends and friends of friends if you enjoy it as much as I did. This book says the unsaid and breaks many taboo's that sadly still exist in our society. Peglar teaches us that our experiences with mental health issues can be positive ones. A hugely optimistic book. I would recommend this book as compulsory to everyone, including sufferers looking for that little bit of light, families and friends effected by mental health issues, carers and anyone that wants to have a laugh, a cry and educate themselves all at the same time.

This is the most moving and personally affecting book I have ever read. It's one of those books you just can't put down. It takes you as close to the manic mind as you can possibly get.

What could have been a good account is spoiled by an angry (and perhaps immature) attitude. It perhaps gives some insight to mania but the message is confused by the author's anger and self inflated opinion of his own talent. He seems rather proud and boastful of his past history of violence, anti-social behaviour and demeaning outlook to women. He will not prove popular to the female readers. There are better and more rational books which would offer more to those of us who are interested in this area of health.

I need to write this response to the last review in Jason's defense. It hurts me to hear people taking Jason's book the wrong way.

Jason is one of the most amazing, wonderful, warm ,kind, caring, gentle and senstive people I have ever met,he is a close, trusted friend and colleague, who devotes his whole life to EMPOWERING nad HELPING others by being honest and open enough about the pain and mental anguish he suffered as a result of the violent behaviour which can be a direct manifestation of the mood swings associated with Bi Polar described in his book.

The behaviour is a direct description of some of the symptoms of this mental illness. The behaviour manifesting itself during Mental illness is NOT CAUSED BY THE PERSON WHO IS EXPERIENCING IT. IT IS NOT THE PERSON'S TRUE PERSONALITY , which is masked through the illness, and often becomes like a caged bird ready to take wing.HATE THE BEHAVIOUR, NOT THE PERSON. should be the rule of the thumb when meeting people like ourselves.
Jason is one of the bravest, caring people I have ever met and has touched and changed my life totally through his willingness to share my pain by being there for me whenever I need him, no matter how busy he is.

The NHS need to give Jason a key to the acute wards and let him loose in there for three months, then see how many people would walk out of there completely cured. I'm a walking testimony to how Jason's positivity can cure negative thinking and heal a low self esteem . and can't wait until the new book Curing Madness and the film Cans Of Madness comes out later next year.

Go for it Jason.............

The author has achieved his aim in writing a completely honest autobiography about coping with a mental illness. This book is suitable for everybody; those who are unaware of the tremendous difficulties of living with a mental illness will find this book very shocking as well as a rewarding read.

Very powerful, very emotional, and most of all honest book of all time. This book is worth reading!

A Can of Madness is the best book i have ever read on mental illness. Pegler tells us how it really feels with a gripping style, full of wit, humour, pathos, excitement, pain and laughter. His rare insight into his condition emans he takes himself and the reader from despair to denial then from self management to enlightenment. By the end Pegler has undergone a wonderful transformation making the reader cry, laugh and then support him in his mission to reduce the humiliation of the mentally ill. This beats Prozac Nation and A Child Called It. Spectacular. Also a book for the exstacy generation. I really cannot praise it enough. Read it today.