Rating: 
Summary: excellent
Review: This book is a must for those in clinical depression. She presents a real human being, a psychologist, wife, mother of a daughter, catholic, who descends into depression at 38. For those recovering, she illuminates and helps clarify where we have been and how it may have begun. Her recovery after a year-and-a-half is marvelously told in grim triumph. from: garth minegar
Rating:
Summary: Superb.
Review: This book is an incredible account of one woman's journey through depression. I was amazed at Ms. Manning's ability to describe her descent into the darkness and her struggle to survive. The most astonishing aspect of this account, which is described in a diary like form, is her amazing sense of humor. I had expected this to be a fairly serious book, given the subject matter, and was pleasantly surprised by how funny it could be. Like other reader's reviews, I found myself laughing out loud. And, when you're depressed that's quite a feat.I am very familiar with depressive illness and found myself relating on so many levels with this extraordinary woman-- from her sense of humor in the midst of such pain -- to her description of her Catholic upbringing. I not only found a kindred spirit -- but was given a true gift by merely reading this book. -- Thank you Ms. Manning.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic book on Psychology
Review: This book is extremily well written and really describes what it is like to be depressed. Depressed people and their friends and family could really benefit from this book. I've suffered from severe major depression, recurent for over four years. I notice virtually all the reviews for this book have been five-star. This one deserves ten. Thank you Martha Manning for your gift to us.
Rating:
Summary: Life saver
Review: This book literally saved my life over and over again. I had my family members read it so that they could start to understand a little of what my life had become. When I finally realized that I had no choice but to begin ECT to try to control my illness, I had nowhere else to turn. I am now finally living a fairly stable life, slowly working my way back to normalcy, whatever that is! I still turn to this book over and over again to reassure myself and to help deal with any setbacks. For those out there who are suffering from the lonely misery of severe, chronic depression, this is the right place to turn. There is no way to adequately thank you Martha Manning.
Rating:
Summary: Anyone who loves someone with depression should read this!
Review: This book turned my feelings about my own depression around 180 degrees. It made me realize I was not alone. In addition, I have asked those who love me and want to support me to read it. I belive Ms. Manning's ability to express how she felt on a day-to-day basis can help anyone understand what this disease is about. Living with depression is not easy. Ms. Manning helped me to understand that it doesn't have to be easy, but that it can be done. READ IT!
Rating:
Summary: Undercurrents
Review: This is a fantastic book for those suffering from depression as well as family members and friends. For those who have never suffered from depression it gives priceless insight into what a depressed person is going through. I gave it to my daughter who thanked me with all her heart that she could read the words of someone else who knew exactly how she felt. Wish I had had this insight years ago as my husband has suffered from depression as well and I could have been of more help sooner.
Rating: 
Summary: Readable and Meaningful
Review: This is an eminently readable account of one woman's struggle with serious depression, which must have given hope to thousands. To the outside world, Manning should have been able to *cope* with whatever life handed her. After all, she was a therapist herself, with a great marriage, a lovely daughter, and a supportive family. That she succumbed to this illness just points out the random nature of depression. As she said "There's no getting away from the wave that's got your name on it. The tide will come in whether you want it to or not." If Manning did nothing else than show what a difference treatment can make for those who are depressed, then she achieved a lot. I think she did much more, however, by showing the many faces of depression and how a person can be totally crippled by it. It was heartbreaking to read about Manning's daughter, Keara, coming to visit at the hospital wearing some of her mother's clothes so as to have "some piece of me to ....wear." Manning's humor was apparent when she commented on the handsomeness of her doctor, saying that it was reassuring to know that she could still be so "profoundly shallow"! Mental illness, unfortunately, is still in the closet. One can only hope that books like this will make a difference in how the public perceives it.
Rating:
Summary: Lost at sea, then found
Review: This slender volume is the best introduction to the subject available. We are fortunate that Dr. Manning shared with us her journey. This is a working woman's tale. Mother, wife, professional, Manning has a biting, often self-deprecating sense of humor. She steers us through depression's dark waters, but does so without being self-absorbed. Her account of E.C.T. is exceptionally compelling. This book is a lot of bang for the buck.
Rating:
Summary: Lost at sea, then found
Review: This slender volume is the best introduction to the subject available. We are fortunate that Dr. Manning shared with us her journey. This is a working woman's tale. Mother, wife, professional, Manning has a biting, often self-deprecating sense of humor. She steers us through depression's dark waters, but does so without being self-absorbed. Her account of E.C.T. is exceptionally compelling. This book is a lot of bang for the buck.
Rating:
Summary: I loved this book! It was honest and engaging.
Review: This was the kind of book that I was sorry when it ended - I could have gone on reading. In fact, I bought more of her books so I could. Dr.Manning's writing style lets you into her life and into her family in such a personal and honest way. She has a great sense of humor. As a Mental Health professional I am always looking for personal accounts of individuals' experiences of recovery. This is a book I will recommend and share with others.
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