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Living Better

How I Learned to Survive Depression

Alastair Campbell author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:John Murray Press

Published:3rd Sep '20

Should be back in stock very soon

Living Better cover

This book offers a profound insight into Alastair Campbell's struggles with depression and the importance of open conversations about mental health.

In Living Better, Alastair Campbell shares a deeply personal narrative about his lifelong battle with depression. Through candid reflections, he reveals the profound impact that mental health struggles have had on his life, relationships, and career. The book serves as both an autobiographical account and a psychological exploration, delving into his childhood experiences and the various treatments he has pursued in his quest for understanding and healing. Campbell's honesty shines through as he recounts moments of despair while also highlighting the glimmers of hope that have accompanied his journey.

This insightful work goes beyond merely recounting struggles; it challenges the stigma surrounding mental health. Campbell emphasizes that depression is a common experience, affecting countless families and individuals. He discusses the societal pressures that often discourage open conversations about mental health, arguing that vulnerability should not be seen as a weakness. Instead, he advocates for the importance of sharing one’s experiences as a crucial step toward recovery.

Living Better is not just a story of pain but also one of resilience and love. Campbell reflects on how his achievements have been intertwined with his mental health challenges, suggesting that the two can coexist. This book is a testament to the power of honesty and connection, encouraging readers to embrace their feelings and seek support in their own journeys.

Superbly readable, supremely useful. Unflinching, clear-eyed, honest, raw and revealing, this book may be the most important achievement of Alastair Campbell's vivid and varied life. For anyone who has lived with depression or lived with someone who lives with depression LIVING BETTER will be indispensable and - potentially - even a life-saver * STEPHEN FRY *
I thought I knew everything there was to know about Alastair but LIVING BETTER reveals so much more. It is typical of him to take his own struggles and lay them out so candidly to help those who have depression deal with it and help those who don't - like me - understand it better. Alastair is living proof that it is possible to have depression and yet achieve so much * TONY BLAIR *
Very touching, I'm sure it'll help many people. It made me feel less alone * MARIAN KEYES *
A book about hope and about love and how they can conquer all * DELIA SMITH *
As a fellow sufferer, I found LIVING BETTER fascinating, compelling and totally relatable. There were times it moved me to tears, other times it had me smiling and laughing, but above all it made me reflect that I am not alone, and that there are always new things we can do to help others, and to help ourselves. If everyone read and acted on this book, the world would be a better place * DENISE WELCH, of Coronation Street and Loose Women *
It's an astonishing book. I feel I understand depression so much better. It is pacy and full of good concrete ideas. And although it is a serious subject there are times it is very funny -- SIMON MAYO
It pains me to say so but this is a really good book. And it has changed the way I think about mental health and mental illness -- PIERS MORGAN
This book will be so helpful to so many people, people who have depression, and people who love them -- SUSANNAH REID
LIVING BETTER is a profound and moving book and everyone should read it * JOHANN HARI, author of Lost Connections *
It is fascinating to see how someone seen as strong and tough can talk so openly about his vulnerabilities. I've no doubt that many sportsmen and women will both identify with and learn from LIVING BETTER * MARO ITOJE, Saracens and England rugby player *
Deeply personal and revealing * OBSERVER *
Deeply honest . . . [Campbell] articulately reflects on these issues in sharp detail, creating an all-encompassing and intricate look into mental health. This incredibly nuanced read will resonate with anyone * The i *
A startlingly frank account of the rollercoaster moods which Campbell traces back to his childhood * Daily Mail *
Part deeply personal memoir, part self-help book, but above all a love letter to his family, and especially to Fiona, his partner of 40 years -- Sonia Delesalle-Stolper * Libération *
[Campbell] writes movingly about his lifelong struggle with depression * The independent, Best Self-Care Books for 2021 *

ISBN: 9781529331820

Dimensions: 218mm x 142mm x 36mm

Weight: 420g

320 pages