The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression

One of the "best" books on depression...

And I've read a few of them. Solomon is a bit too blue-blooded for me to relate to completely, but his book is excellent. It's touching, informative, amazingly well-researched, and as exhaustive as any book on the subject that I've read. It concentrates on clinical or major depressive disorder, not on bi-polar (just a note). I would recommend it even for casual readers, though it is a bit hefty and convoluted as times.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW...

THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR THE EVERYDAY READER WHO WANTS A BIT OF ADVISE ON DEPRESSION. I FOUND IT OVERBEARING AT TIMES. THE PERSONAL STORIES KEPT MY ATTENTION THOUGH.

Excellent Read

This book was suggested by a psychologist knowing I was interested in learning more about this disease. I have a relative suffering from this and I have had much concern in years past. I found this book and the author to be very open and honest about Depression from his own experiences and research into additional areas of the disease. This book should be read by anyone experiencing depression or by anyone who knows someone who is clinically depressed.

Excellent researched novel.

read and re-read book many times to glean subtle inuendos. Positively brilliant. Am relating to it numerous times in my current masters' thesis. Highly informative, the best authority on the subject.

Valuable resource

I usually don't enjoy reading books concerning psychology, because they are usually very dry and clinical. However, after seeing Andrew Solomon discuss his book on television, I suspected that this book would be different, and I wasn't disappointed. Solomon's persona, both on-camera and in print, is very engaging, at times amusing. However, he doesn't attempt to downplay the darker features of depression. A major breakdown is portrayed in its starkness. At the same time, though, Solomon offers ingredients that I haven't found in most others texts: first, a chapter on the link between poverty and depression, which I have not seen treated adequately in other resources. Second, Solomon offers a vision of hope, but one that takes into account that relapses can and often do occur. What limits the rating on this title to 4 stars is one of personal preference: Solomon is a lot more optimistic about traditional medications than I am, and he views them more optimistically than so-called 'alternative' therapies. I'm not so sure this is the case. Highly recommended.

A depression masterpiece

I feel 'The Noonday Demon' lived up to the hype that several of my depressed friends gave it, in that it was absolutely thorough, quite insightful, and always interesting. Solomon clearly went to Herculean lengths in compiling this book, and I believe it deserves the accolades it has received. My favorite line is, 'Mood is like the climate, and emotions are like the weather.' I really learned a lot reading this and would recommend it to anyone interested in depression.

A Must Read for All

The Noonday Demon takes the reader for a poignant and realistic ride into the world of depression. This book is a must read for anyone suffering from unipolar or bipolar depression, anyone who loves someone who is suffering, and professionals alike. Although personal experience is often entangled with empirical conclusions, it is easy to relate to Solomon's account. With ease, Solomon simultaneously is able to connect to the reader's pain and leave the reader with hope.

Very fine writing.

Solomon's book carries you along on his journey. A socially conscious work combined with a beautiful writing style, now that's a combination to be found in just a few of the books in the category.

A must read

The Noonday Demon is a must read for anyone who suffers from or knows anyone who suffers from depression. Solomon's real-world account of his own illness and descriptions of others personal stories are remarkable. An incredibly well written and poignant read.

A comprehensive journey throught the world of depression

This is a landmark work in the history of depression. Never before has anyone described the emotions felt during depression so elegantly. Andrew's literary skill makes each page of this book a pleasure to read. The Noonday Demon is not only well-written, it is also extremely informative. The author takes us on a journey through personal experiences, provides detailed descriptions of medications and side affects, and explores the efficacy of alternative treatments. In the second half of the book he goes on to describe depression in multiple contexts such as history and philosophy. I have been a long time sufferer of depression and I have found hope in this book. It is a subject that I have long been ashamed to speak about outside of my therapist's office. Andrew works to remove the stigma behind this illness and bring all aspects of the disease to light. Depression has no cure, it something must be dealt with and treated on a daily basis. I find strength in the knowledge that so many others are successfully treating depression, even if they are not conquering it completely. The Noonday Demon is a remarkable work that should be read and reread.

Noonday Demon : An Atlas of Depression - A must read!

Noonday Demon : An Atlas of Depression is a must read! Andrew Solomon has written a classic to rival 'Darkness Visible' by William Styron. It is a moving, powerful personal story that leads to an unparalleled exploration of depression and its treatment. It is superbly written and researched, and as a psychotherapist I can recommend it to both clinician and layman.

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