1998-07-22 Schizophrenia: Two Intelligent Insights

Being one of Mr. Stuart Emmons's past professors, I was especially intrigued and fascinated by his straightforward, open, and touching account of his encounter with schizophrenia. Whenever a bright, conscientious student disappears abruptly after finishing a course, one ponders about his sudden departure and wonders what has happened to him. For this reason Stuart's candid and illuminating story was especially welcomed. Craig's experience is equally insightful. Together they give the layman a rare opportunity to probe into the inner thoughts of intelligent and articulate men as they cope, relate, create, exist with paranoid schizophrenia. Most laymen, including me, are terribly uninformed, even misinformed, and sometimes insensitive to this mysterious illness. The book should be read at least twice, the first time ignoring the psychologists' repetitious notes which disrupt the flow of the images, thoughts, and actions of the narrators. Their notes can be read! as a whole. Then each of the stories can be reread. The book reintroduced Stuart Emmons to me and we have subsequently exchanged many letters. I highly recommend this relatively slim volume with its tremendous impact and positive message. And congratulations to two courageous and compassionate writers--Stuart Emmons and Craig Geiser.