Cracked, Not Broken

Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt

By: Kevin Hines, Dr. Daniel J. Reidenberg - foreword

Narrated by: Kevin Hines

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most recognizable structures to define a modern city. Yet, for author Kevin Hines the bridge is not merely a marker of a place or a time. Instead, the bridge marks the beginning of his remarkable story. At 19-years-old, Kevin attempted to take his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge - a distance which took four seconds to fall. Recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder, Kevin had begun to hear voices telling him he had to die, and days before his attempt, he began to believe them.

The fall would break his body, but not his spirit. His story chronicles the extraordinary will of the author to live mentally well in the face of his mental illness: bipolar disorder with psychotic features. With each mental breakdown, however, the author's desire to live mentally well - and to be a mental health advocate - pulls him from the depths of his condition. Kevin's story is a remarkable testament to the strength of the human spirit and a reminder to us to love the life we have. His story also reminds us that living mentally well takes time, endurance, hard work, and support. With these disciplines in place, those living with even very difficult diagnoses can achieve better lives for themselves and those who help to support and care for them.

©2013 Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. (P)2018 Tantor

Amazing book!

Highly highly recommend this book to everyone! Listening to it directly from Kevin Hines was so powerful. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, this was very impactful.

Awesome man, great book

He has spoken for my squadron before, and I was thrilled bro know that he had a book. I love that he is the one talking. I love his voice, and he is the best person to tell his story.

Mental Health

Thanks for sharing your story Kevin. Found your story insightful to the struggles that occur to anyone who is affected by the mental health of self or someone who knows someone with suicidal thoughts. Would have liked to hear more about how the individual can find their way out of dark places, and where to go for help. Overall, I would recommend your memoir to anyone dealing with suicidal thoughts, and those who have a friend, family member, or works in the mental health field who struggles with their own fears. - Linda Mitchell

Good read,

I didn’t know really what to expect other than what the tittle offered. I was surprised at how good of a story it was, it’s a personal take on a personal journey with a few offered tips. It’s a good read, more of a story than a manual . Worth the read.

great book but...

I was anxious to hear this book as I grew up in the Bay Area and was familiar with his story. I am so glad to hear Kevin Hines is doing well. I typically enjoy listening to books narrated by the author. Not this time. He reads it too fast! Does he ever draw a breath? Some sentences he runs together. He just needs to slow down a bit.

I couldn't stop listening.

I follow Kevin on social media, have seen videos and have been and continue to be completely intrigued by his story. I battle
depression and anxiety and his story gives me hope and courage to not give up.

wow

At 1st I struggled to listen to his voice telling the story. But then I realized how important it was for me to hear HOW he told his story. It gave me insight into his personality that I don't believe I would have thought of.

Inspiring story of learning how to deal with Serious Mental Illness

The narrator took some time to get used to, but it’s important to note the the author is narrating his own story, which makes it more powerful in my opinion.
Serious topics addressed. Helps bring light to some struggles with Bipolar disorder. Good book of people with mental illness, people who love people with mental illness, and those who work with people who have mental illnesses.

Appreciation

We see people everyday, but don’t really see what others are really going through. Mr. Hines thoughtfully shares his story. Thank you Sir

Not what I expected but awesome.

I was thinking the book was going to be a little more educational in a sense, I didn’t read anything about the book prior, other than seeing one of Kevin’s videos online and having recently survived a suicide attempt I didn’t need to read the blurb.

Once I understood this is just him telling his story I could embrace it. So inspiring, and his voice acting is great as is the recording.

This is my first review after hundreds of books but this message is amazing.