Poles Apart : A Touch of Madness

From Mt. Cook to the Cuckoo's Nest; from the physical and spiritual fulfillment of the highest mountains to the social degradation of a seclusion cell in a psychiatric hospital; from international acclaim to police brutality and dosing with unexplained drugs in his home town. The opposite poles of mania and depression. Poles Apart tells of some of the extraordinary determination and extremes in the life of a sensitive and gentle man. The story is told with an innovative combination of poetry and prose, at times funny or sad, at others angry or despairing, but always engrossing. The author has since received written apologies from clinicians and management in connection with his treatment. His book raises major issues about mental health care in New Zealand. It is required reading for anyone whose life has been touched by mental illness, either personally or through friends or family.Bishop, Graham is the author of 'Poles Apart : A Touch of Madness', published 2000 under ISBN 9781877228421 and ISBN 1877228427.