This book is about a mental breakdown, slow recovery, and post analysis. As I read the first part, it was very easy for me to say that I have never been even vaguely close to this mentally ill. It struck me at the time, also, that this guy was very traumatized by his religious upbringing, albeit, seemly a rather common one. The second part which is the halfway house portion of the recovery, is really more the same, but with a more upbeat disposition. These first two parts are personal accounts of the author from 30 years earlier, in which he supposedly was "really out there" and yet somehow has clear insight on what was happening at the time. While both his personal journal and medical records have given him some strong hints of what happened back then, the writing presumes a "truth" that I found quite suspect. Finally, the last part is really a dialogue of various mental health professionals and the author, who has since become one himself. It reads like you expect it might, if you were overhearing a graduate seminar on mental health issues...except for one key point. It takes totally for granted a religious basis for everything that happened earlier and since. This is ultimately a religious accounting, suitable for The 700 Club. It is not a study on mental health. ( )