Jack London said, "The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage." That explains this book in it's fullest. The author starts this book off writing from the perspective of his childhood dating back to when he was 6 months old living on a commune at Synanon. He tells stories from his memory and takes you through tragedy and heartbreak experiencing what he lived through. The story is phenomenal and it provides the reader with this sense that where you come from significantly shapes where you will go. You get to see how Mikel Jollett used his tragedies and his challenges to propel him to his passions. The author provides insight on mental health issues and dealing with addiction problems in a way that hasn't been done before. This is a must read!