DigeeBooks

Oprah's Book Club pick

Number one New York Times best seller

One of the New York Times Top 10 Books of the Year

One of the Wall Street Journal Top 10 Books of the Year

Named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Time, Slate, Smithsonian, The New York Post, and Amazon

The heartrending story of a midcentury American family with 12 children, six of them diagnosed with schizophrenia, that became science's great hope in the quest to understand the disease.

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 12 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 10 Galvin boys, one after another, 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 Institute 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 amid 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, best-selling and award-winning author Robert Kolker uncovers one family's unforgettable legacy of suffering, love, and hope.

Journey into the extraordinary life of the Galvin family in "Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family" by Robert Kolker. This gripping narrative delves into the lives of twelve siblings, each affected by schizophrenia, and their parents' unwavering dedication to understanding and caring for them.

Follow the Galvins through their struggles and triumphs as they navigate the challenges of living with mental illness. Witness the unwavering love and resilience of parents who refuse to give up on their children, even when faced with overwhelming odds.

Kolker's captivating storytelling weaves together personal narratives, scientific research, and historical context to provide a comprehensive portrayal of mental illness and its impact on individuals, families, and society. "Hidden Valley Road" offers a profound exploration of the complexities of mental health, the importance of family, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Discover the remarkable story of the Galvin family and gain a deeper understanding of schizophrenia and its far-reaching effects. "Hidden Valley Road" is a must-read for anyone seeking to better comprehend the realities of mental illness and the extraordinary power of love and perseverance.