William Cope Moyers

Review by Family Resource Centre Volunteer, Nicole:

Tell us what you thought about the book / title. How did the book make you feel? What did you learn?
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It gave the author's personal experience on addiction as well as many other individuals who have suffered/ are suffering from addiction that he has aided. I find it was helpful to read other individuals' stories as there are parallels in these stories to my own (I have a sibling who has suffered from addiction for over 15 years). I learned about the strong role psychology has behind addiction as this was emphasized in majority of this novel. This book made me feel less isolated and less like a family member suffering from addiction is a problem I have to face on my own. This book is making me strongly consider signing up for an Alcoholics Anonymous group to get the support system offered by them.


What were some of your favourite parts in the book/title? What did you find the most useful? Why?
I really appreciated how the author depicted a step by step journey of recovery. I think this would be very beneficial for individuals seeking recovery from their addiction but not sure what treatment path to take. I really enjoyed how the author talked about the importance of breaking stigma regarding addiction. I also appreciate how the author normalized addiction and greatly emphasized that it can effect anyone regardless of their gender, age, sex, socioeconomic status, religion, citizenship or ethnicity.


What was your least favourite aspect of the book/title? What do you think could have been better?
My least favorite aspect about the book was how it solely focused on Alcoholics Anonymous/ Narcotics Anonymous as a means to recovery. I would have preferred if the author explored different perspectives of addiction and recovery as AA/ NA is not the only way individuals can recover from addiction.


What inspired you to choose this title?
I thought a book written from the perspective of an individual suffering with substance abuse would give a very valuable perspective on this topic.


How has your life (or the life of your loved one) been affected by reading this title?
I believe I have a deeper understanding of the psychological background behind substance abuse. I think this will cause me to be more compassionate to my sibling who suffers from substance abuse. I also believe this book has provided me with some helpful tips on how to not internalize guilt and how to practice self-care in this difficult situation.


Do you recommend any similar titles to this one?
A Family Guide to Concurent Disorders… (más)

Some books stay with you long after you put them down, and this is one of them. It was one of my best reads of 2007.

How can the story of one person's struggle to understand that he could not manage his own alcohol/drug addiction be so riveting? Moyers was able to compel me to keep turning pages because I HAD to know if he was going to make. This is a memoir, so of course I knew he didn't die, but in the thick of the story the reader can still get caught up in the question. His life made a good story, and he knew how to tell a good story.

The book had two problems:. First, the book desperately needed a good editor. Second, it seemed he was trying to stuff two or three books into one. Despite these shortcomings, the story shines through, and more than carries the day.

Broken is both a page turner and an inspiration.… (más)