Never Give in to Fear: A Memoir [Paperback]

Marti MacGibbon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 29, 2010

Never Give in to Fear is a raw, unflinching account of an emerging standup comic's struggle with addiction ignited by maternal despair. In 1984, despite a scheduled appearance on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Marti MacGibbon begins a drug-fueled descent into the underworld. With brutal honesty, humor, and clarity, Marti vividly describes her experiences as she rides her downward spiral: a near-miss with a notorious serial killer, a series of tragically hilarious misadventures in the California drug world, and a terrifying account of imprisonment at the hands of Japanese organized crime, to name a few. A thrilling story of hope and redemption, Never Give in to Fear introduces readers to a remarkable woman who triumphs over addiction, learning how to give, and to accept, love and forgiveness. Foreword Clarion Reviews Five Stars (out of Five): "...MacGibbon is self-aware, and is able to show the humor of the moment without losing the tense pacing of her story. The memoir whips along, hardly taking breath...What makes Never Give in to Fear shine is MacGibbon's ease with her story. She doesn't apologize for who she is, and she doesn't try to win over the reader. It's just the facts, ma'am, and by the time the first chapter is over she's already on a roll. Honest to a fault, in ruthless pursuit of the story, MacGibbon's memoir is captivating from the very first sentence. MacGibbon has written--and lived--her way through a forbidding place. It's wonderful to not only read her story, but to know that she has flourished in her years of recovery. A memoir that offers hope, even in the worst of times, Never Give in to Fear is a terrific read. It's the perfect book for a reader in recovery, though MacGibbon's real-life adventures will be equally appealing to anyone who needs a little more adrenaline in their reading list." -- (Claire Foster) "It's amazing that Marti MacGibbon survived her harrowing life and had the guts to recount it...not too preachy, the author's candor and sense of humor keep the pages turning." -- Suzanne Daly, the bohemian.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

Never Give Into Fear is successful as a motivating tool and touching story. Marti's natural humor helps balance the book into a tale of both hurt and healing. This is a book everyone needs to read. It is not only a story about the danger of drugs, but about the power of the human spirit. - Star Rating: 5 out of 5, San Francisco Book Review

About the Author

Marti MacGibbon, CADAC II, is a certified addiction treatment professional, veteran standup comic, and inspirational motivational speaker. A member of the National Speakers Association, she electrifies audiences with the power to change, grow, and achieve. She also speaks to raise awareness about recovery from addiction and fighting human trafficking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (July 29, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1452815100
• ISBN-13: 978-1452815107
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Marti MacGibbon, CADAC-II, I-CADC, is a veteran standup comic, inspirational motivational speaker, author, and substance abuse counselor who inspires, entertains, and moves listeners to overcome fears, create possibilities, and make real changes in their lives and the lives of others. Marti is a member of the National Speakers Association. She is also a member of the California Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC), and the Indiana Counselors Association on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (ICAADA).

Marti's personal story is powerful and uplifting. She is a survivor of human trafficking, addiction and homelessness who rebounded to live an exultant and prosperous life. Her knack for storytelling and humor makes her a favorite with audiences as she recounts the negative beliefs and poor choices that led into her downward spiral, then changes tack and relates specific principles and techniques she used to turn her life around and succeed in fulfilling her dreams. Marti's warmth and high energy onstage is contagious, and audiences come away feeling that anything is possible, and armed with simple techniques they can use to transform their lives.

Marti's first work, "Never Give in to Fear," is a deeply moving, tragicomic cautionary tale -- a story of hope and redemption, conquering fear, and how love prevails. It chronicles a standup comic's struggle with, and recovery from, addiction. Throughout this narrative, the author is brutally honest about her struggles with addiction. With humor and fearlessness, she takes full responsibility for all of her wrong choices.

But Marti's tale shines with love and forgiveness, and shimmers with hope. It is a powerful comeback story with a dynamic, satisfying closure. Readers come away feeling uplifted; inspired with the concept that hope, love, redemption, and laughs are always with us. Most of all, "Never Give in to Fear" is just plain fun to read -- never a dull moment!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book, June 27, 2011

By 

Karen Warner "Book Lover" (Brisbane, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Never Give in to Fear: A Memoir (Paperback)

Never Give Into Fear is a roller coaster ride on the addiction train that takes us to the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Marti MacGibbon's book is filled with mind-boggling misadventures from the sex trade in Japan to the homeless haunts of the river people to the drug dealers in the seamy back alleys of San Francisco. Marti's story shows just where the insanity of addiction can take us. Sometimes funny, often poignant, and frequently heartbreaking the book reads like fiction but is rooted in an honesty the challenges not to look away. Surely this book will serve as a cautionary tale for anyone who is tempted by the "glamour" of drugs. Ultimately, Marti's story is one of redemption and we rejoice in her recovery.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very compelling and inspiring story!, June 21, 2011

By 

Judy Kohman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Give in to Fear: A Memoir (Paperback)

Marti MacGibbon's memoir is a very compelling account of her descent into despair and drug addiction. It is an insightful look at how an addict is sucked into the cycle of dependency and how it is difficult to overcome the hold that drugs can make on a person's life. The story also relates how she ultimately triumphs over the addiction by channeling her own tenacity and with the love and support of family and friends. It was an inspiring read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a thrill ride! Still thinking about it weeks later..., May 1, 2011

By 

ivygirl1 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Never Give in to Fear: A Memoir (Paperback)

This is an amazing story of a woman sharing her life story that happens to deal with the consequences of addiction. And addiction took her to some very interesting places. And not some nice, recreational easy-going addiction - this woman was full on. I mean, you can't make this stuff up! And she's funny. An inspiring story of a woman running away from herself, then coming back and facing all the reasons she ran away in the first place. A thrill of a ride - couldn't put it down. Read it twice in one sitting. Would make a great film.