The Beast: A Journey Through Depression (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: New York, Washington Post, American Express (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

A good investigative reporter will dig deep into her subject, attempting to enlighten her readers' knowledge. Washington Post reporter Thompson does that here, although in this case the subject is the personally difficult one of her own "beast" --her history of depression. Drawing on her journals from adolescence onward, Thompson details her emotional and mental history in brief, impressionistic scenes, creating a mosaic of the human mind's emotional complexities. Colloquially referred to as "the doldrums" or being "blue" or "low," depression has come to be regarded as a genuine illness, something requiring not only counseling, but medical intervention. Depression affects millions, and costs the U.S. economy $43.7 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity. Thompson fleshes it out informatively and compassionately. Anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly by depression will appreciate her work. Raul Nino --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

In an eloquent, unflinchingly honest autobiography, a journalist recounts her struggle with depression, which culminated in a terrifying bout with suicide, and her search for an understanding of and a cure for it. Reprint.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Plume (October 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452276950
• ISBN-13: 978-0452276956
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #527,819 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book for those who suffer with depression, July 10, 1998

By A Customer

What hope and comfort the author gives to the depressed person or their loved ones. The author has clearly expressed the suffering one does when they are depressed, often able to put in writing my very own thoughts and fears. This book gives hope of recovery from re-current depression and gives tools that anyone with a mental illness can use, despite the fact that it wasn't meant to be a "this is how to fix your life book". It is the story of one woman and her trials with re-curring depression and how she overcame her "Beast". A must read for anyone involved in mental health or suffering with depression. I keep my copy close at all times to refer to when I feel I have lost hope of ever being "well". If you feel the same I would strongly encourage reading this book.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Painfully, necessarily honest, July 23, 1999

By A Customer

Although not as poetic as Styron, funny as Manning or star-studded as Conkrite in their wonderful depression accounts, The Beast occupies a unique niche because of the author's brutally honest account of her low self esteem and acceptance-starved pysche that existed in spite of her career successes. I felt Ms. Thompson had looked inside my brain and revealed to me things I had never even admitted to myself.

Yes, depression is an illness, with biological as well as psychological roots. But, while I would like to think of myself as an innocent victim of depression, it is closer to the truth to admit that I have held to incorrect perceptions since childhood that may have pre-disposed me to this illness. Ms. Thompson has accepted that painful fact about herself, and has shared it to our great benefit.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEAST A JOURNEY THROUGH DEPRESSION, December 20, 1999

By A Customer

I have read many books on Depression and other mental health problems since the summer of 1993 and this is the best that I have read yet. I would highly recommend it to anyone that either suffers with, or knows someone who suffers with Depression. The way Ms. Thompson has written this book really hits home for me and it was inspiring to know that there are people who have overcome this terrible disease and are successful at their chosen careers. IT IS THE BEST, THANK YOU MS. THOMPSON FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.