Product Description
In her revealing bestseller Call Me Anna, Patty Duke shared her long-kept secret: the talented, Oscar-winning actress who won our hearts on The Patty Duke Show was suffering from a serious-but-treatable-mental illness called manic depression. For nearly twenty years, until she was correctly diagnosed at age thirty-five, she careened between periods of extreme euphoria and debilitating depression, prone to delusions and panic attacks, temper tantrums, spending sprees, and suicide attempts. Now in A Brilliant Madness Patty Duke joins with medical reporter Gloria Hochman to shed light on this powerful, paradoxical, and destructive illness. From what it's like to live with manic-depressive disorder to the latest findings on its most effective treatments, this compassionate and eloquent book provides profound insight into the challenge of mental illness. And though Patty's story, which ends in a newfound happiness with her cherished family, it offers hope for all those who suffer from mood disorders and for the family, friends, and physicians who love and care for them. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

Brilliant Madness
An articulate first person account of living with bipolar disorder.provides a thorough look from the perspectives of both the patient and a professional psychiatrist.

bipolar
Even though I look at bipolar differently, less as a liablility than as a gift that has a cost, I find this book excellent.The biographical style is a great way of exploring mutual experiences.It was a big help the first time I read it.It is a big help now.

Fantastic Book
For those who want a greater understanding of bi-polar and to be able to relate to someone who also suffers with this disorder this is a fantastic book. You will really get into this book. It is written so well that it is an easy read. Not only does it offer the perspective of the sufferer (Patty Duke) it also gives you the medical point of view and knowledge in easy to understand language. I highly reccommend this book to those having bi-polar disorder. Is a great book to read if someone you are close to suffers from this mental illness because you will certainly gain new insight as well as a better understanding.

Excellent
Bipolar is new to our family, and although we do not have the extremes like Patty Duke shares in her book, this book explained so much of what has been happening in the past 15 years.Bipolar behavior/symptoms can be scary and threatening, but it is very treatable.Thanks for writing this book, Patty and Dr.It's a huge help!

a brilliant madness
This is an excellent book to read if you want to know the basics of depression and bipolar illnesses.The rotating format--a chapter of behavior and then an explanation of that behavior--helps in understanding the disorders ... Read more

Product Description
Call Me Anna is an American success story that grew out of a bizarre and desperate struggle for survival. A harrowing, ultimately triumphant story told by Patty Duke herself--wife, mother, political activist, President of The Screen Actors Guild, and at last, a happy, fulfilled woman whose miracle is her own life. (Nonfiction) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (29)

Call Me Anna

I have always liked Patty Duke.I went to see her do a personal interview for publicity for one of our Community Theatres here in Spokane, Wa.She was very inspiring and told about some of the terrible things she had done before she was diagnosed and mentioned this book.Found it on Amazon's website and purchased it.Very interesting read about her terrible childhood living with her agents at the time.Anna lives in our community and loves her life here.She is still active in some of our theatre productions in the surrounding area.

Great Read
I grew up with Patty Duke and found this story very interesting and sad. I believe she is a strong person and applaud her for telling this, sometimes not too flattering, story about herself. I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in autobiographies.

Exceptional
This detailing autobiography "Call Me Anna" from Patty Duke was a fascinating and insightful read.I highly recommend it!

Parfait
This book was purchased as part of a group of books to be donated to a local library from a local NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)affiliate.This book, along with other books, was purchased to help educate others about mental illness.It is a good addition and has had good reviews.

A life-changing book about mental illness
This is one of the most important books that has ever been published.
Ms Duke was one of the first celebrities to share her personal experience with mental illness.This book helped to eliminate stigma, and has allowed many people to realize that mental illness isn't a character flaw. ... Read more

Product Description
Patty Duke is one of the few former child actors who has survived the transition from child to adolescent to adult and gone on to greater fame and success in her adult years. Academy Award-winner, television comedy series star, talk-show hostess, author, and aspiring director, this multi-talented actress has become an entertainment industry phenomenon. Researchers as well as film, television, and theater buffs will be interested in Eberly's research guide, which presents a biography of Patty Duke together with complete and detailed listings of her television, movie, and stage appearances, awards, and recordings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A MASTERPIECE!
Stephen Eberly has not only mastered the art of Patty Duke, but is also modest in leaving out that he is a wonderful french teacher at a high school! BRAVO STEPHEN!!! we're waiting for the next one!

-an avid reader, maria Iavosa

Patty Duke Book A Winner
This is an interesting book to read especially if you are a fan of actress Patty Duke.It does cover most of her extensive work in films, television and on stage.And, an impressive career it is indeed.It even covers Patty's years as a recording artist for United Artists Records.However, there is no photo copy of her popular album, SONGS FROM VALLEY OF THE DOLLS and this seems like a strange ommision.Other than that it is a book worth having in your own private library.

Perfect for the True Patty Duke fan...
This is the perfect book for those who want to know all about Patty Duke's intensive work in all the different aspects of the entertainment world. It is well written and covers the actress life both personal and professionally. I enjoyed reading it. ... Read more

Product Description
Anderson provides an unprecedented probe into the inner workings of the quiz shows. He details their "honest" beginnings and explains how the practice of supplying answers grew out of a desire to keep popular contestants on the air as long as possible to boost ratings. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Gem
"A terrible thing to do to the American people." - President Eisenhower

Remarkable. This unassuming little book, 226 pages and part of a mostly forgotten series on American Studies, is an entertaining and authoritative account of the 1950's Quiz Show scandals.

This is one of the great tales of America in the middle of the 20th century. As TV becomes established as the dominant and most personal force in media, the public becomes possessed with Quiz Show mania -- the drama of individual contestants earning larger and large amounts of money. The contestants become media stars. The hype grows until a contestant declares that he was instructed to lose on purpose (to new star Charles Van Doren.)

The frauds are exposed, descending into government investigations, reprisals, legal actions, and a general loss of innocence.

Author Anderson tells the story with gusto and detail.

With 15 pages of footnotes, a Bibliography, and Appendices including -- most amazing -- actual transcriptions of kinoscopes of a couple of shows. ... Read more

Product Description
NYC Broadway Playbill Playhouse Theatre 11-2-59 Play had 719 performances ... Read more