His Bright Light : The Story of Nick Traina

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Summary: Learning experience for everybody
Review: I found this book a learning experience for anyone who wants to know more about Bipolar (Manic Depressiveness).For someone who knows anybody with this disease I'm sure there will be times that you can relate to.Nick Traina was a very talented young man whose life was filled with extreme highs and dark lows.You cannot help but feel genuine sympathy for those people who are affected by this illness wether it be the victim or family and friends of those caught up in this situation.In this day and age with all the information and technology available I find it really sad that it took so long to diagnose Nick as having Bipolar and I feel that maybe he would never have taken his own life if something had been done sooner to help him.He may still be here today-we will never know.Having a medical background I have seen many a patients that have displayed these kinds of syptoms and I'm sure there are many more people undiagnosed and not receiving the help they need.I found this book a very interesting and absorbing read told with frankness and honesty.I feel that anyone who reads this book will come away more educated in this area and I know that you will keep a little piece of Nick Traina with you when the book is closed.

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Summary: For Danielle Steel fans only
Review: I tried reading this book without success. Usually I can read just about anything on this subject - I've been living with schizophrenia/manic-depression for as long as I can remember, and an early death has been my goal since I was five - but somehow this book does not move me. I get the impression that Ms Steel is more concerned with keeping up with her image as a sensational writer than sharing her story with the world. I could relate to Nick in some ways, since I am also a musician, among other things, but something about this book repulsed me, and for the first time in my life I actually traded in a book at a used bookstore instead of adding it to my library. For anyone interested in a more captivating and heartfelt account of a mother's struggle with an emotionally ill child, I highly recommend Deborah Spungen's "And I Don't Want to Live This Life" - the tragic story of 'punk queen' Nancy Spungen. It is much more 'real'.

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Summary: The Family Disease..Manic Depressive Illness
Review: Manic depressive illness affects not only the consumer but the family, friends, employers, and most everyone in contact with the illness. One of the real tragedies is that due to confidentiality family are often excluded from the treatment and diagnosis process. This book demonstrates that financial ability can prolong and definitely elevate the kind of treatment available. Speaking from experience in our family insurance limits are used up quickly..and one of the real hazzards to the consumer is that new doctors almost always want to "try" something new on the patient..our daughter was doing well on lithium for a year..crashed again due to going off lithium..and then a new doctor put her on Depkote..which did not work for her..she's crashed again..fled a hospital in Hawaii..and is now rehospitalized in Oregon...a nightmare going on so far for 3 years..two young kids..divorce..unemployed again..and what of the other children in these families?....the sick one gets the attention..and others are part of the cycle..and get lost in the whirlwind around the illness..think it couldn't happen to you?.....not until one walks in the shoes of the consumer or the family can true understanding occur. This book made me feel better about our "limited" funds available for our daughter..and that she is still alive..thank God.

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Summary: link80, nick lives forever...
Review: This is the best book I've ever read I love the band link80 and when i found out that danielle steel was his mum i was like ahh cuz i love her books too i think it's a great story and everyone should read this book...

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Summary: Close to home
Review: His Bright Light touched very close to my heart and my own experiences. I too have a son with ADHD and tendicies of anger and mild depression, although not as severe as Nick's. This book helped me realize I was not alone in my every day struggles to help my son and those around him to understand this disorder. The struggles with school, family & friends is difficult & frustrating as they just don't seem to understand that this disorder is very real and connot be controlled because you want it to be. I recommend this book to everyone not just those that deal with depression and ADHD. Through this book I fell educators and bystanders could learn a great deal of insight to this disorder and in turn hopefully become more aware and develope a better understanding of those afflicted with it, thus being more patient and able to deal with them in a appropriate manner instead of labeling them as incorrigable kids/adults. Most are, as Nick was, very loving and caring individuals who just need a little more patience and encouragement then others. Thank you Danielle for writing this touching story about your son it will be a book always found on my shelf, read often and recommended to all.

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Summary: So True.
Review: As a fellow musician who has attempted suicide many times, I could entirely relate to Nick and his story. I do not usually enjoy reading Danielle Steele's novels, yet this one touched my heart.

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Summary: This is a great book
Review: Danielle Steel out did herself on this book. I felt like I could relate with her and Nick because one of my friends life ended because of this illness. This book shows how loving and strong Danielle Steel is and how determined she was to help her son. Its worth reading

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Summary: My thoughts
Review: When i read the book His Bright Light I could relate to alot of the stuff in it. I can see bits of my step-son in Nick.He has been diagniosed with ADD.After I read Your book I was sure the doctors were wrong.He has been rediagnoised with Asperger's disorder.I can't thank you enough for writing such an imformative and moving book.I laughed and cried over and over agian.It has been awhile sense I read the book but I can tell you I still carry it around in my heart.I have aksed others who know my wonderful step-son to please read your book.I hope it will open doors for others as it has for me.What a luck Family you have for having had such a wondr=erful person in your lives.Thank You for a new look on my step-son's life.We now understand him abit better.This may or may not follow your review guiled lines but I hope You will at least forward it to Ms.Steele.I really want her to kwow how graetful I am to her.

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Summary: Nick Traina's legacy through the eyes of his mother, Steel.
Review: The book ,His Bright Light, tells about the true life story of Nick Traina through his mother ,Danielle Steel. She explains the journey he had living with manic - depression. She brings his memory to life with stories of laughter and unbearable pain that he endured before commiting suicide in 1998. This book brings home the bitter reality for many men and woman , as well as their family, doctors,nurses and friends, in an emotional, honest and painful biography. I recommend this book to anybody who knows someone living with manic-depression. You will understand a emotional handicap like this with more insight, knowledge and tolerance after you read it.

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Summary: FANTASTIC BOOK
Review: I loved this book and admire Ms Steele for writing it. ..It took a lot of courage oon her part for sure. Another author who write very much like Danielle, and also has lot of courage is Barara Jeanne Fisher. ! If you want to read a book that goes straight to your heart, read her Stolen Moments . . .It is a beautiful story of unrequited love. . .for certain the love story of the nineties. I intended to give the book a quick read, but I got so caught up in the story that I couldn't put the book down. From the very beginning, I was fully caught up in the heart-wrenching account of Julie Hunter's battle with lupus and her growing love for Don Lipton. This love, in the face of Julie's impending death, makes for a story that covers the range of human emotions. The touches of humor are great, too, they add some nice contrast and lighten things a bit when emotions are running high. I've never read a book more deserving of being published. It has rare depth. Julie's story will remind your readers that life and love are precious and not to be taken for granted. It has had an impact on me, and for that I'm grateful. Stolen Moments is written with so much sensitivity that it made me want to cry. It is a spellbinder. What terrific writing. Barbara does have an exceptional gift! This book was edited by Lupus specialist Dr. Matt Morrow too, and has the latest information on that disease. ..A perfect gift for someone who started college late in life, fell in love too late in life, is living with any illness, or trying to understand a loved one who is. . .A gift to be cherished forever.