Genre: Biography
Description:
“THE DRAMATIC STORY OF A PIONEERING MAN, HIS MERCURIAL MIND AND A
SOCIETY IN LIMBO.
Lowell Klessig’s posthumously-released story, infused with reflections
by his son Lukas, provides an intimate window into one man’s life in flux with
bipolar disorder. As the author narrates a postwar upbringing and describes the
manic-depressive travails of developing his identity, he offers us a view into
the turmoil of the times – and of his mind.
Through mania- and danger-filled months fighting for Civil Rights,
protesting the Vietnam War and furthering the Conservation Movement, we see the
purpose that sustained him. Through darkened panes, we witness the isolation
and malaise of depressive winters that nearly took his life. This masterful
chronicle allows us to peer into a restless and kinetic existence in one moment
and a chasm of fatigue and hopelessness on the next page.
It’s a bipolar journey that you won’t ever forget.”
Author:
“Lowell Klessig led a life of action, ambition and accomplishment. He
directly participated in the Civil Rights and Peace Movements. In addition, he
became a celebrated conservation leader and environmental advocate in
Wisconsin, the nation and around the world.
Lowell won the Wisconsin Idea Award and UW-Extension’s Teacher of the
Year Award, among many other recognitions. His research and work served as the
basis for several conservation laws. All along the way, he wrote, published and
taught the ideas and lessons garnered from a multitude of experiences.
Lowell passed away in 2014 after a year-long battle with CJD - a rare
neurodegenerative disease. This book is his first written chronicle of the
anxiety, mania and depression that shaped his shortened life.”
“Lukas Klessig lives at the family ranch in Wisconsin, managing the
care of forests, fields, gardens and buildings. He also looks after his Mom,
monitors the family’s investments and, occasionally, tries to be creative.
Lukas is a proponent of mental health advocacy, animal welfare,
outdoor living and physical activity. He spends winters in southern Florida.
His beloved cat Shaddy often loiters nearby, supervising his activities.
This is his first book.”
Appraisal:
This biography has three parts, each adding to the overall experience
of reading the book.
The first and most significant part is the main book which I’ll
discuss first. This contains selected writings from the journals of Lowell
Klessig, chronicling his unique life, interspersed with sections from his son
providing additional perspective or context. I’ve long felt that any random
person has had experiences that put in the proper perspective with a good
writer presenting the story could make for entertaining and enlightening read.
Doing this with a biography for most people would be pushing it, but most
people don’t have the interesting life that Lowell Klessig did. I found the
story appealing for the perspectives it gave me on mental health struggles from
the standpoint of the person going through the struggle. I enjoyed the
historical perspective from someone who was on the ground, fighting for equal
rights for everyone and to get the US out of the war in Vietnam in the 60s as
well as environmental issues in later days.
The second section and third section might be viewed as bonus sections
and labeled in the book as the “postlude.” It has additional short writings
that give additional insight into the authors that either didn’t fit into the
main story or in a couple instances told the full story of something that was briefly
mentioned in the main book where the story was worthwhile, but the full story would
have been too much of a tangent in the main storyline. The second section are
pictures of some of the people, places, and events. The pictures are color for
those reading paper or a color-capable device.
While outside of what I typically look for in a book, I’m glad I gave
this one a chance. It was thought provoking and exposed me to a lot of perspectives
that should help me understand those with mental health struggles a bit better.
Buy now
from: Amazon US Amazon UK
Format/Typo
Issues:
No significant issues
Rating: ****
Four Stars
Reviewed
by: BigAl
Approximate word count: 55-60,000 words
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