In 1994 as a result of their alcoholism, Lilian and Murdoch MacDonald were down and out, sleeping rough in the streets and parks of Cambridge, the English university town where, a quarter of a century before, Murdoch had studied for an honours degree. Refusing to accept what they consider to be the outmoded myths and dogma of Alcoholics Anonymous, Lilian and Murdoch set about searching for the underlying causes of their self-harming behaviour problem, which they discovered lay in childhood. Although Lilian and Murdoch's upbringing caused their problems, they themselves take full responsibility for their drinking, most importantly because taking responsibility for one's own actions is the starting point on the road to recovery. As a result of their endeavours, the couple are today back home in Ayrshire, Scotland, leading normal lives again, with their problems of alcoholism and Lilian's associated eating disorder well and truly behind them. Controversially, they are also now able to drink alcohol responsibly again, if and when they so wish.This book is the inspiring story of their journey.
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
Review
Phoenix in a bottle addressed issues that my family and I have been struggling with for a while now. A member of my extended family took a similar path to Murdoch and Lilian MacDonald. Many of the stories that Lilian and Murdoch tell sound hauntingly familiar. From conning family members out of money to Lilian s relating of her early days; there are many similarities between our family and their own. I found the stories that Lilian and Murdoch tell serve as useful warnings to others. They allow one to see the depths that people will sink to all while reminding them that redemption is always possible. Our family has had to suffer through many of the same trials and initially Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the answer... I think Murdoch and Lilian provide a useful call to arms for alternative drug and alcohol treatment programs that do not believe drug and alcohol abuse and dependency are untreatable. I personally believe that when it comes to drug and alcohol treatment, one size does not fit all. I put faith in alternatives to AA that believe one does not require higher power in order to recover and that people are in control of their own behaviors. Phoenix in a Bottle makes a strong case for wanting to pursue alternatives to AA. --Paul Berry
an excellent insight into the life of an alcoholic and what it is like to be dependant on alcohol to get you throught the day. I have no interest in drinking and am actually T-total. I came across this book through a friend by chance and I definitely recommend it to anyone. Not only does it cover the turmoil that both Lilian and Murdoch suffered due to their addiction but it also gave an incredibly account of Lilian's past and why she struggled. The details on her eating disorder really struck a chord as it is something i have suffered from too and made me consider my own life and past events that might have made me become obsessive about controlling food. I can not recommend this book enough. It proves that these things can be beaten with some determination, love and without having to turn to a life of denial. well done. 14 Sep 2005 --A customer
an excellent insight into the life of an alcoholic and what it is like to be dependant on alcohol to get you throught the day. I have no interest in drinking and am actually T-total. I came across this book through a friend by chance and I definitely recommend it to anyone. Not only does it cover the turmoil that both Lilian and Murdoch suffered due to their addiction but it also gave an incredibly account of Lilian's past and why she struggled. The details on her eating disorder really struck a chord as it is something i have suffered from too and made me consider my own life and past events that might have made me become obsessive about controlling food. I can not recommend this book enough. It proves that these things can be beaten with some determination, love and without having to turn to a life of denial. well done. 14 Sep 2005 --A customer
About the Author
Lilian MacDonald was born in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland in 1943, where she and her brother and sister spent their childhood. Her grandparents had a smallholding where they worked as market gardeners. As an adult, in spite of her alcoholism and eating disorder, Lilian has worked successfully in several varied spheres, most notably owning and managing a country inn in South Ayrshire. Lilian married Murdoch in 1993, and has two children from a previous marriage, John and Elaine. Murdoch MacDonald was born in Putney, London in 1946. After graduating from Magdalene College, Cambridge, he first worked in banking, and then public relations. He wrote a regular column in a prestige Scottish business magazine, hosted and produced a weekly radio programme and took part in a television series, both about family finance. Since Lilian and he resolved their alcohol problem, Murdoch now writes for the business page of three local newspapers in Ayrshire, and in addition runs his own PR business. He also has two children from a previous marriage, Kirsty and Grant.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
|
There are no customer reviews yet.
|
|||
|
Video reviews
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product).
|
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
