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Living Better
- How I Learned to Survive Depression
- Narrated by: Alastair Campbell, Fiona Millar
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
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Living Better
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Summary
Last Christmas I almost killed myself. Almost. I've had a lot of almosts. Never gone from almost to deed. Don't think I ever will. But it was a bad almost.
Living Better is Alastair Campbell's honest, moving and life-affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an autobiographical, psychological and psychiatric study which explores his own childhood, family and other relationships and examines the impact of his professional and political life on himself and those around him. But it also lays bare his relentless quest to understand depression not just through his own life but through different treatments. Every bit as direct and driven, clever and candid as he is, this is a book filled with pain, but also hope - he examines how his successes have been in part because of rather than despite his mental health problems - and love.
We all know someone with depression. There is barely a family untouched by it. We may be talking about it more than we did, back in the era of 'boys don't cry' - they did you know - and when a brave face or a stiff upper lip or a best foot forward was seen as the only way to go. But we still don't talk about it enough. There is still stigma, and shame, and taboo. There is still the feeling that admitting to being sad or anxious makes us weak. It took me years, decades even to get to this point, but I passionately believe that the reverse is true and that speaking honestly about our feelings and experiences (whether as a depressive or as the friend or relative of a depressive) is the first and best step on the road to recovery. So that is what I have tried to do here.
Critic reviews
"I thought I knew everything there was to know about Alastair but Living Better reveals so much more." (Tony Blair)
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- Mark
- 12-05-21
Practical, Intelligent and Moving
This book is accessible and very touching. Alastair’s frankness is refreshing, never self pitying and totally relateable whether you’re a high flyer or not. Fiona’s chapter is also practical and although the battles clearly continue, encouraging. Thank you both for speaking out and for reading your own stories.
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- Mrs M French
- 12-07-22
Love him or loathe him
AC is a wonderful writer and communicator and he brings to life, depression and crucially learning to live with it. A huge presence I suspect, in good and bad times. His determination to help himself and others is admirable.
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- Ailsa
- 18-04-23
A beautiful memoir and guide
Hearing someone else describe what I feel is so validating. This book offers practical advice, interesting commentary and more than anything, reveals the voice of the experience so many of us have living better with depression.
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- Mr JAMIE L HAWKINGS
- 07-01-21
Incredibly Insightful!
Beautifully written. For someone who does not suffer with depression or anxiety this book has provided me an insight of how crippling it is to people who do. People who may be closer than we think!
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4 people found this helpful
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- J Scothern
- 30-09-20
Outstanding - resonated along with much learning
So much 'clicked' for me with this book. Similar experiences shared with much learning. Alistair's writing is so honest, open and sincere. The book has made me appreciate that mental health doesn't just effect me in the ways it does but also Alistair and, I'm sure many many others. To bare the soul so openly is refreshing, at times funny (though terrible!)and a real comfort to aid strength, recovery and development.
Even though it's up to all of us to find our own solutions, Alistair explains his which really really helps. Thank you.
Thanks also to Audible. Over time I've understood my auditory learning style and love the platform.
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- amanda
- 07-01-22
Well worth a listen
I listened to this book in one day while I walked and later painted by numbers. It is very well written and read and as a person living with someone who suffers from depression at times I recognised many things. When someone is trying to describe how they are feeling it can be hard to know if the listener really understands but to see it in print from someone else can be reassuring. It has helped us talk about things and discuss best ways to deal with everything. I am also hoping that when they listen to it they will better understand how I am feeling and how their behaviour and words have been difficult for me but at the same time I don’t feel as bad as I can understand that it is the illness and I am the person closest to them so am often the one they can be their true self with however much I would prefer to be with the sociable happy part of him. Golly that is a long sentence. Don’t judge my grammar.
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- Happy Mum
- 03-06-23
The book I needed to hear
I’ve just listened to this, in bed, in one go, and it’s excellent on so many levels. AC is a great writer and narrator who has experienced an interesting but challenging life. So much bereavement and grief. I’m trying to navigate my own depression/anxiety and there is so much food for thought here. I’m inspired by the tolerance and love of Alistair’s wife and family. They think he’s worth it. Perhaps mine do too.
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- KB
- 18-06-23
A whole new perspective
Thank you so much Alastair (and Fiona!) for this book. I’ve struggled for years with depression and anxiety, and listening to your story I feel a little less alone in the world.
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- CrazyMaisy
- 05-02-24
Something for everyone
I think this book has something for everyone, no matter how much or little you already know about mental illness. Highly recommended. 
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- Caroline
- 14-01-21
Very honest book
I found this a really fascinating and honest account of AC's battles with depression and his genuine attempts to help others affected by mental illness. I have (luckily) had no experience of this so it really opened my eyes to the toll it takes. I really liked the fact that the author read it.
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1 person found this helpful