Journey from Madness to Serenity: A Memoir: Finding Peace in a Manic-Depressive Storm [Paperback]

Vanessa Y. Sawyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000 | ISBN-10: 1587217643 | ISBN-13: 978-1587217647

"Journey From Madness To Serenity" is a testament to having faith in God. This true story tells how the author's faith and love for her son compelled her to fight manic-depression.

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: 1stBooks Library (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587217643
• ISBN-13: 978-1587217647
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,441,191 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Triumphant Journey..., December 29, 2000

By 

April D. Mack (Folsom, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Journey from Madness to Serenity: A Memoir: Finding Peace in a Manic-Depressive Storm (Paperback)

Much more than the dull, ubiquitous "let me tell you my story" books weighing down shelves at the bookstores, Akilah takes you on a life journey with her through some personal, emotional and mind blowing experiences. Her detailed accounting of events leaves you never wanting to put the book down to see how she triumphed or fell prey. She has demonstrated her ability to bring you into the life of a diagnosed Manic Depressant and help you to understand and read the symptoms leading up to such a diagnoses. I truly enjoyed the education and research she provides to help someone else who maybe having some of the same challenges. She should be praised for her accomplishments in spite of her circumstances. Most of us couldn't have done it in our right minds!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!! Inspirational, informative, and spiritual., December 3, 2002

By 

R. Ziegler "joyfully_serving_God" (Rawlins, WY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Journey from Madness to Serenity: A Memoir: Finding Peace in a Manic-Depressive Storm (Paperback)

This book is truly a success story. Akilah takes you inside her life, mind, and heart. I feel it an honor to have had the opportunity for Akilah to share her personal story with me. Akilah not only addresses the issues of being afflicted with Manic-depressive illness but shares her intimate thoughts of self-doubt and the feelings of inadequacy in addition to how men attempted to manipulate her in to believing they were some extraordinary men and the only one willing to take on the burden of this illness with her. My heart went out to her when I read the part regarding the lack of support she recieved from the person she probably needed it most from, her mother. How could a mother make a child feel less of a person? How could a mother justify those actions? How could a mother contribute to these feelings of inadequacy supporting a man who is too weak and pathetic to assist a woman in becoming stronger because her weak moments are his only security, wishing them never to leave for fear that she may realize she could do a lot better than him in the selection of a partner. That isn't love. There is no justification for it. I salute you Akilah. I am also afflicted with manic-depressive illness and refuse to allow anyone to use this illness to mask their own inadequacies. The love of God be with, comfort, guide, and protect you always.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good Buy and Share book!, October 10, 2002

By 

Angelina Lovie "escapen2art" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Journey from Madness to Serenity: A Memoir: Finding Peace in a Manic-Depressive Storm (Paperback)

This book is definitely not one of those "Woo Me" stories. Instead it's an inspirational story of one persons experience with manic-depression. The author brings not only her remarkable compassion and but also a bit of research to bear on this devastating dilemma.

I read the book in one day. I shared with a friend, and he read it in one day. Therefore, I would say this is not one of those books full of unnecessary detail, yet the author holds you with an interesting story. Akilah, shares with you her life with manic depression, with clear and precise events that takes you into her life. It doesn't get too technical in regards to mental illnesses or depression. If you have background knowledge on depression and mental illnesses, you could probably relate more. However, if you haven't, it explains enough to move you along. The author gives you enough background to understand how manic depression alters one's life.

I encourage persons living with depression, to share this book with close friends to help them gain a better understanding of how depression can alter your lifestyle. Reading Akilah's story will help close friends understand 'What Not To Say'to a person with manic depression, and how to recognize the signs. Many peoples first reaction dealing with loved-one with depression is to attribute all their actions to being depressed. Ultimately, those loved ones make the mistake of assuming they amplify all feelings and emotions.