Asylum
Hollywood Tales from My Great Depression: Brain Dis-Ease, Recovery, and Being My Mother's Son
Published on 24. April 2012
Book
Hardback
296 pages
978-1-60286-135-0 (ISBN)
Description
In this deeply moving and resourceful memoir, beloved actor-director and New York Times bestselling author Joe Pantoliano takes aim at the stigma attached to what he calls "brain dis-ease" by writing candidly and humorously about his own journey through clinical depression and addiction. Most people know Joe Pantoliano from his memorable roles in such blockbuster movies as The Matrix, Risky Business, The Fugitive, and Memento, or from his Emmy-winning performance on The Sopranos. But despite all this success, the actor, known as "Joey Pants," struggled with what he later found out was clinical depression-or brain dis-ease, as he calls it. Asylum is the story of Joe's quest for the Hollywood success he was sure would cure him, and the painful downhill spiral into depression and addiction that followed his success. Weaving deeply personal experience together with informative discourse, this memoir creates an unflinchingly honest portrayal of the true nature of the disease, as well as Joe's own eventual diagnosis, recovery, and ongoing efforts to educate others and remove the stigma from mental illness.
Reviews / Votes
Andy Garcia "A must read! Joey Pants gives us insights so valuable that one can only call his courage to share a blessing for all." Tommy Lee Jones "Joey has written a brave, fascinating book. It is astonishing what people will put themselves through for the privilege of acting. Maybe we just can't help it." Andrew Davis, director of The Fugitive "Bravo! Joe Pantoliano's very honest, moving, hilarious, and tragic telling of a life's journey is both profound and enlightening. Asylum will make anyone who reads it a more generous and understanding human being." Robert Irvin, M.D., Instructor of Psychiatry,Harvard Medical School "Pantoliano's book reveals his ever-evolving understanding of himself and his disease through a retrospective analysis of his life's most painful and jubilant experiences. The book provides a model of inspiration and courage for those who suffer from mental illness in silence to come forward and seek the life-changing help that is currently available." Jacqueline Lerner, Ph.D., Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology, Boston College "Joey Pantoliano shows insight, humor, and brilliant storytelling as he unpacks his life to understand his challenges. Joey has opened himself up so that others can benefit from what he has discovered about mental illness. No one should miss this candid and richly told memoir." Richard M. Lerner, Ph.D., Bergstrom Chair in Applied Developmental Science; Director, Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development, Tufts University "With honesty, humor, and integrity, Joey Pantoliano uses his life story to inspire hope that each of us can thrive despite emotional challenges and family turmoil. Joey's story exemplifies the fundamental human capacities for resilience and positive growth."More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
8 pages b/w photos
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-60286-135-0 (9781602861350)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Joe Pantoliano was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. He has more than one hundred movie, TV, and stage credits, and won an Emmy Award for his work on The Sopranos. His first book, Who's Sorry Now? The True Story of a Stand-up Guy, was a New York Times bestseller. Pantoliano is also the founder of No Kidding, Me Too!, a nonprofit organization "whose purpose is to remove the stigma attached to 'brain dis-ease' through education and the breaking down of societal barriers." He produced and directed the documentary No Kidding! Me 2!, an intimate look at the experiences of Americans living with mental illness. He lives in Connecticut.