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A Fractured Mind: My Life with Multiple Personality Disorder Audiobook
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(3.06) - 377 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In 1989, Robert B. Oxnam, the successful China scholar and president of the Asia Society, faced up to what he thought was his biggest personal challenge: alcoholism. But this dependency masked a problem far more serious: Multiple Personality Disorder. At the peak of his professional career, after having led the Asia Society for nearly a decade, Oxnam was haunted by periodic blackouts and episodic rages. After his family and friends intervened, Oxnam received help from a psychiatrist, Dr. Jeffery Smith, and entered a rehab center. It wasn’t until 1990 during a session with Dr. Smith that the first of Oxnam’s eleven alternate personalities – an angry young boy named Tommy – suddenly emerged. With Dr. Smith’s help, Oxnam began the exhausting and fascinating process of uncovering his many personalities and the childhood trauma that caused his condition. A Fractured Mind is the powerful and moving story of one person’s struggle with this terrifying illness. The audiobook includes an epilogue by Dr. Smith in which he describes Oxnam’s case, the treatment, and the nature of multiple personality disorder. Oxnam’s courage in facing his situation and overcoming his painful past makes for a dramatic and inspiring book.
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"It's amazing what a human mind is capable of to protect itself to survive through severe trauma, and to cope with live's pressures. I find this book an interesting introduction to the world of someone living with MPD. Even though there are other books out there written by MPD patients, i was originaly fascinated by all the accomplishments of Oxnam the 'Asian Expert'. It's about the private battles of someone who enjoyed public successes. The end of the book includes notes by the psychiatrist so it ended on a more technical note, which I think is a nice balance."
— Gypsy (4 out of 5 stars)
A Fractured Mind Listener Reviews
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" I am loving and fascinated by this book so far. As a psych major, I never managed to study abnormal psych, but I was always interested in it, especially multiple personality disorder. I'd heard an interview with the author and have been looking forward to reading this for awhile. "
— Kieffala, 2/18/2014 -
" Great Book, could not put it down. It's true too "
— Susan, 2/11/2014 -
" If you ever wanted to get into the mind of someone with multiple personality disorder, this book is a great way to do it. The writing style is that of each of the personalities speaking through themselves to their psychiatrist trying to integrate to form a functional individual. The great thing about this story is how the author was so easily able to hide his disorder for 50 years while still working in close contact with past presidents, foreign diplomats, and the secret service. "
— Amanda, 2/10/2014 -
" Interesting insider view of multiple personalities. This book differs from others in the genre by focusing on the internal life of the personalities rather than on the abuse that caused the split. "
— Tania, 2/4/2014 -
" I got this from the library for a quick read. Hoping it was going to be good like Sybil. Not so much... It was alright, I was getting bored so it took longer to get through "
— Sarah, 1/18/2014 -
" It started out interesting but the last third, or quarter, was more annoying than interesting. Robert, the narrator, does a lot of name dropping and loves to pat himself on the back. "
— A, 1/5/2014 -
" This book helped me get a handle on some behaviors with which I was having difficulty. Didn't find accounts of the same behaviors in other books addressing this topic. Still having difficulty with the same behaviors, but it's good to know there are others out there having the same difficulties ;-) "
— Beth, 12/28/2013 -
" Fantastic. For anyone who has watched the rollerskaters and rollerbladers in central park on saturday and sundays has seen this gentleman on sundays. He balances a bottle on his head. When I read this part of the book I had a moment of clarity, I said out loud "oh my god I have seen this guy". "
— Amy, 12/24/2013 -
" Was just as good as Sybil. Just hearing about the torment that he felt and lack of control makes you wonder how life can be so unfair. "
— Alicia, 11/24/2013 -
" This was a really great autobiography. It was interesting to read from his various alters point-of-view. It gave so much info about the disorder. Had to read it for a class...but would suggest it to anyone interested in MPD (DID). "
— Jess, 11/20/2013 -
" I tend to prefer fiction, but this was an enjoyable change. Presented an interesting, more believable prespective by having each personality contribute to the book. Very fast paced for a memoir. "
— Michaela, 11/8/2013 -
" This guy is friggin' crazy! He has 11 different personalities in the "castle" within his head ... if he weren't such an educated scholar, I would think he was a complete lunatic. I probably should mention that I read mostly memoirs and nonfiction. "
— Dana, 8/28/2013 -
" I loved this book...I couldnt stop thinking about it the entire week after I read it! One of those books that completely rocks how you think... "
— Stacy, 4/24/2013 -
" Terima kasih untuk MyDeejee. Rasanya semua buku yang dia beli, selalu memikirkan diri saya. Nanti saya beli buku yang selalu memikirkan dirinya. Hahahahahahaha....... "
— Antonini, 1/27/2013 -
" What an amazing and articulate account of life with MPD. Very well written and accessible. "
— Allison, 11/28/2012 -
" This is a fascinating memoir of Robert Oxnam and his experience with multiple personality disorder. Oxnam is a very successful man who was in his 50's when he was diagnosed with MPD. Early childhood trama was the initator for his MPD. Truly fascinating. What a brave man. "
— Cindy, 9/13/2012 -
" i don't want multiple personality disorder. "
— Lisa, 7/25/2012 -
" Good insight into multpile personality disorder (MPD) It was amazing to see how people interact with it and how despite it He could find love and acceptance. "
— Alicia, 7/1/2012 -
" The BEST memoir I've ever read. Absolutely fascinating. "
— Angela, 8/25/2011 -
" As with other encounters with multiple personality disorder, it seems like science fiction. I liked this biography, except at the end when he gets all excited about his Unitarian experience. "
— Magda, 5/1/2011 -
" I loved this book...I couldnt stop thinking about it the entire week after I read it! One of those books that completely rocks how you think... "
— Stacy, 4/5/2011 -
" Best book ever written on this disorder. The author has been a very high achiever. Remarkable. Also doesn't go into too much detail about the childhood trauma so it doesn't feel exploitive. Very educational. <br/>Top notch. Alana loved it too. "
— Cindy, 3/4/2011 -
" sebelas kepribadian yang berbeda saling berebut untuk mendominasi.<br/>tapi kerennya, robert bisa mengurangi sebelas kepribadian tersebut hingga tinggal 3.<br/>yaitu tommi, wanda, dan robert sendiri.<br/><br/>aku belum selese baca sih. hehehehe "
— Susie89, 2/8/2011 -
" What an amazing and articulate account of life with MPD. Very well written and accessible. "
— Allison, 5/1/2010 -
" Good insight into multpile personality disorder (MPD) It was amazing to see how people interact with it and how despite it He could find love and acceptance. "
— Alicia, 3/15/2010 -
" I am loving and fascinated by this book so far. As a psych major, I never managed to study abnormal psych, but I was always interested in it, especially multiple personality disorder. I'd heard an interview with the author and have been looking forward to reading this for awhile. "
— Kieffala, 12/30/2009 -
" This is a fascinating memoir of Robert Oxnam and his experience with multiple personality disorder. Oxnam is a very successful man who was in his 50's when he was diagnosed with MPD. Early childhood trama was the initator for his MPD. Truly fascinating. What a brave man. "
— Cindy, 9/29/2009 -
" As with other encounters with multiple personality disorder, it seems like science fiction. I liked this biography, except at the end when he gets all excited about his Unitarian experience. "
— Magda, 4/28/2009 -
" Was just as good as Sybil. Just hearing about the torment that he felt and lack of control makes you wonder how life can be so unfair. "
— Alicia, 3/12/2009 -
" Interesting insider view of multiple personalities. This book differs from others in the genre by focusing on the internal life of the personalities rather than on the abuse that caused the split. "
— Tania, 2/4/2009 -
" This guy is friggin' crazy! He has 11 different personalities in the "castle" within his head ... if he weren't such an educated scholar, I would think he was a complete lunatic. I probably should mention that I read mostly memoirs and nonfiction. "
— Dana, 10/22/2008
About William Dufris
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.