DigeeBooks

12 children.
6 of them diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Science's greatest hope in understanding the disease.
___________

*ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVOURITE BOOKS OF 2020*

*TIME 100 Must-Read Books Of 2020 Pick*

*New York Times bestseller*

*Selected as Oprah's Book Club Pick*

'Startlingly intimate' - The Sunday Times

'Grippingly told and brilliantly reported' - Mail on Sunday

'Unforgettable' - The Times

For fans of Educated, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and Three Identical Strangers

Don and Mimi Galvin seemed to be living the American dream. After World War II, Don's work with the Air Force brought them to Colorado, where their twelve children perfectly spanned the baby boom: the oldest born in 1945, the youngest in 1965. In those years, there was an established script for a family like the Galvins - aspiration, hard work, upward mobility, domestic harmony - and they worked hard to play their parts. But behind the scenes was a different story: psychological breakdown, sudden shocking violence, hidden abuse. By the mid-1970s, six of the ten Galvin boys, one after the other, were diagnosed as schizophrenic. How could all this happen to one family?

What took place inside the house on Hidden Valley Road was so extraordinary that the Galvins became one of the first families to be studied by the National Institutes of Mental Health. Their story offers a shadow history of the science of schizophrenia, from the era of institutionalization, lobotomy, and the schizophrenogenic mother, to the search for genetic markers for the disease, always amidst profound disagreements about the nature of the illness itself. And unbeknownst to the Galvins, samples of their DNA informed decades of genetic research that continues today, offering paths to treatment, prediction, and even eradication of the disease for future generations.

With clarity and compassion, bestselling and award-winning author Robert Kolker uncovers one family's unforgettable legacy of suffering, love and hope.

'An extraordinary case study and tour de force of reporting' - Sylvia Nasar, author of A Beautiful Mind

'This book tore my heart out. It is a revelation-about the history of mental health treatment, about trauma, foremost about family-and a more-than-worthy follow-up to Robert Kolker's brilliant Lost Girls'
-Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Dare Me and Give Me Your Hand

'Hidden Valley Road contains everything: scientific intrigue, meticulous reporting, startling revelations, and, most of all, a profound sense of humanity. It is that rare book that can be read again and again'
-David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon

Embark on a captivating journey into the heart of a hidden world with "Hidden Valley Road," a compelling true story by Robert Kolker. This gripping narrative delves into the lives of the Galvins, a seemingly ordinary family from Colorado Springs, whose lives are forever changed by the arrival of six adopted children with schizophrenia.

In this unflinching portrait of a family in crisis, Kolker meticulously pieces together the Galvins' extraordinary story, weaving together personal accounts, medical records, and scientific research to provide a nuanced understanding of schizophrenia and its profound impact on individuals and their families.

As the Galvins navigate the complexities of their new reality, they face unimaginable challenges, including institutionalization, debilitating symptoms, and the stigma associated with mental illness. Yet, amidst the darkness, there are moments of resilience, love, and unwavering hope.

Through Kolker's masterful storytelling, "Hidden Valley Road" offers a profound exploration of the human condition, the boundaries of science, and the unyielding power of the human spirit. It is a testament to the extraordinary strength of families and the enduring bonds that can withstand even the most formidable obstacles.

Delve into the pages of "Hidden Valley Road" and be captivated by this poignant tale of love, loss, and the unbreakable human spirit. This is a story that will stay with you long after you finish reading, prompting deep reflection on the nature of mental illness, the complexities of family dynamics, and the resilience of the human spirit.