Rating: 
Summary: I wish I could have met him, he seemed like a great person.
Review: I could not put the book down, which is saying a lot because I have a 2 year old and a 3 year old. I have been a fan of Danielle Steel's for a long time. I feel like I met her son, Nick, and was there with the family every step of the way. I was so inspired by the wonderful relationship she had with Nick and how they shared so much of eachother with one another. I only hope I can have good communication between myself and my children. I think and now know that she is a wonderful mother and put her children first. I feel like Nick (and her other kids too) know exactly how much she loves them and cares for them and she would never have to say "I wish I would have told them how much I love them" after a family member died. I hope the book can help other people with Bipolar and also learn to be more open and loving with your family.
Rating: 
Summary: Mother's story of the manic-depressive son's fall to suicide
Review: Danielle Steel's biography of her son, a brilliant, handsome boy who was finally diagnosed as atypical manic-depressive, and his eventual suicide at age 21 was a disappointment. It is also an autobiography of Ms. Steel's struggle with her son, the disease, and the medical-psychiatric community over her son's condition. While a compelling story (the photographs throughout the book make the suicide all the more tragic), Ms. Steel's narration can be taken as somewhat one-sided. I would wish more insight into the effects of Nick (the son) on the family, his adoptive father, and those around him. These relationships she handles in almost off-handed observations ("all the children loved Nick") but several pages later ("the family was delighted to have a dinner without Nick's disturbances"). While Nick was sent to numerous psychiatrists, hospitals and schools, Ms. Steel had the tendency to allow him to leave the schools or care of the psychiatrist(s) the moment he decided the treatment became in any way uncomfortable, and seemingly on just his say-so. We never are told the incidents that get him expelled from schools with warnings never to return.With a bit more depth, this story might have been a truly great and helpful narrative of a tragic figure, and might have been of immense assistance to those with similar children who would wish to attempt to prevent the same fate from befalling their child. Perhaps the author can re-look at the events of Nick Triana's life in several years, after the understandable pain of his death has more time to heal, and write a revised and more insightful edition.
Rating:
Summary: It was sad, but very beneficial
Review: I picked up this book the day it hit the shelves and finished it three days later. I knew Nick Traina for more than two years, he was a wonderful person who had a terrible disease. He suffered from manic-depression which afflicts many people. Basically, the book starts with his life and ends with his death. Imagine being manic-depressive your whole life and always staying in hospitals, seeing shrinks and psychiatrists. Nick unfortunately went through all that ever since he was a kid, his family not knowing of his illness until he was a teenager. They always knew he wasn't "just like any other kid", he was special. Nick achieved more than most will in a lifetime in 19 years. That's pretty amazing. He knew what it felt like to be successful, happy, have a great band, lots of friends and a wonderful family who cared so deeply for him. (And still do.) As Danielle wishes this book will bring hope to many people, so do I, as a guide in life. The book wasn't supposed to be out until today, September 20th, in remembrance of Nick. It has been one year today since he passed away. After reading this book, whether you knew Nick or not, you'll definetely fall in love with him.
Rating:
Summary: an hard book to read-but must be read!
Review: Okay, okay, like a lot of people I have made fun of Danielle Steel's books-but His Bright Light just blew me away and broke my heart. The way she tells about his struggle with bipolar disease but yet remained charming and loving is amazing. It reminds me of a quote by Anne Lamott-"To have written your version is an honorable thing to have done....you have put it down on paper, so that it won't be lost." Nick Traina's story will never be lost, thanks to Danielle Steel.
Rating:
Summary: Danielle's Sorrow
Review: After watching an interview with Danielle Steel on 20/20, I turned to her website and then amazon.com. I purchased the book, His Bright Light: Nick's Story, read it, and I must say I am amazed. Danielle wrote a *wonderful* book about a *wonderful* person... Manic-depression is a truly troublesome disease, and any parent should read her book and be aware of the symptoms. It is treatable, but it has to be diagnosed first.
Rating: 
Summary: Heartbreaking ... Felt like I knew Nick ...
Review: I am 27 years old, have bipolar, and often cried during my reading of
this book. I read most of it. At times, I felt I couldnt finish
reading it, because the pain described by Danielle Steel is so real.
God Bless her for writing it. I felt more heartbroken about Nick
than any woman who broke my heart in the past. I think the phrase
"brilliant mind, heart of gold, and tortured soul" sums up a
lot of it. It's amazing to describe so much in those few words.
I've research bipolar very extensively since accepting it almost
two years ago. I felt this book hit me hardest in terms of emotional
response. Danielle Steele's phrases, "Fly well my darling
boy, till we meet again" and one about this not being the book I
planned to write and dedicate for you brought tears to my eyes.
Rating:
Summary: My 1st Danielle Steel Book...Ever.
Review: I admit it. I've never read a Danielle Steel book. I've never been interested enough, although I know many people who rave about her. Her stories just aren't necessarily my "cup of tea." However, I was highly recommended this true-story book about her son's life by a friend of mine, so I decided to give it a try. I got to experience DS's flair for writing and its conversational style. It was very easy to read and held my interest. Pages flowed into the next. I can see her widespread appeal. Not only was the story sad yet uplifting, but "His Bright Light" helped me to understand manic depressive behavior intimately as DS learned it herself over the years. It was quite the lesson in psychology for those who don't want to get bogged down with or can't quite grasp the technical or scientific aspects of it. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more about the disease, her son's life, as well as DS's life. She provides some great autobiographical material for those interested. It's a quick read, and it'll be worth the effort, especially if you know someone with similar challenges in their own life...
Rating:
Summary: One of the most ....
Review: Touching stories I ever fread.
I read this book about 3 years ago and I still get moved by it's reallity whenever I cross it. Amazing true story.
Rating:
Summary: My 1st Danielle Steel Book...Ever.
Review: I admit it. I've never read a Danielle Steel book. I've never been interested enough, although I know many people who rave about her. Her stories just aren't necessarily my "cup of tea." However, I was highly recommended this true-story book about her son's life by a friend of mine, so I decided to give it a try. I got to experience DS's flair for writing and its conversational style. It was very easy to read and held my interest. Pages flowed into the next. I can see her widespread appeal. Not only was the story sad yet uplifting, but "His Bright Light" helped me to understand manic depressive behavior intimately as DS learned it herself over the years. It was quite the lesson in psychology for those who don't want to get bogged down with or can't quite grasp the technical or scientific aspects of it. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to know more about the disease, her son's life, as well as DS's life. She provides some great autobiographical material for those interested. It's a quick read, and it'll be worth the effort, especially if you know someone with similar challenges in their own life...
Rating:
Summary: Very stimulating
Review: This well-written story shares the experiences of one family with a Bipolar young man who ultimately commits suicide. Although interesting, most parents cannot afford full-time bodyguards for their child,nor some of the other interventions that the wealthy and famous author could--even though they didn't work. While this is a touching story, it can be somewhat depressing for parents struggling to find ways to prevent their child from becoming suicidal. Other resources can provide more practical advice that helps parents successfully handle the daily challenges of parenting a bipolar child. --Sheryl Gurrentz, author
"If Your Child is Bipolar: A Parent-to-Parent Guide to Living With and Love a Bipolar Child"
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