Play Audiobook Sample
Changing My Mind: A Memoir Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.02) - 271 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Canadians fell in love with Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s beautiful and high-spirited bride when he brought her to the world stage as the youngest First Lady in the history of the country.
But the situation wasn’t as rosy as it seemed. Plagued by mood swings and unprepared for public life, Margaret became increasingly isolated at 24 Sussex, as her depression alternated with bouts of mania. As her behavior became more puzzling - even to Margaret herself - she did her best to mother her three young sons and stand by her husband. She finally broke down soon after their marriage dissolved.
As time went by, Margaret achieved a fragile stability, remarrying and bearing two more children. But the tragic loss of her son, Michel, in a skiing accident and the passing of Pierre Trudeau a few years later were too much to bear, and Margaret became severely ill.
After years of struggle to find the right doctors and the right treatment, Margaret has rebuilt her life once again. At 62, she is a vibrant, happy, and healthy woman who is an inspiration to us all.
Also included in Changing My Mind are essays by three of Canada’s pre-eminent mental health professionals who explore some of the treatments available to patients today.
Download and start listening now!
"The book was definitely a page-turner, even though I am not fascinated with Pierre Elliott Trudeau's life and entourage nor have I ever been. There's something about Margaret Trudeau that made me want to know more. She always seems so upbeat, yet was a PM's wife. She married P.E.T yet partied with some of the Rolling Stones and had an affair with Ted Kennedy. Her life was full of contrasts. For a big part of her life, she was lost and this is clearly explained and well detailed throughout the book. As for her life-struggle with bipolar disorder, I thought she could have given a more in-depth view. Yes she does mention when she was depressed and when she was manic but it's mostly up, down, up, down without a lot of description. The doctors in the afterword reveal more than she does, saying that she was once so paranoid that she thought her second son, Sacha, was going to kill her. Overall, I'd say it was a good memoir."
— Stéphanie (4 out of 5 stars)
Changing My Mind Listener Reviews
-
" This book was terrible. Margaret Trudeau comes across as whiny and astounding in her lack of self-awareness. Not recommended unless you are a Trudeau buff. Read for book club. "
— Nicole, 2/20/2014 -
" Margaret Trudeau has little to no endearing qualities. I found the book depressing and her self centered. "
— Nancy, 2/5/2014 -
" A quick and easy read. Poignant and touching - Margaret's willingness to share openly. I appreciated the candidness with which she wrote. "
— Kate, 1/31/2014 -
" I got this book on my Kindle app on my iPhone, to see if I could actually read a book on my iPhone. So far it is working, probably because the book is so lightweight and gossipy. "
— Marcia, 1/22/2014 -
" I enjoyed the stories about her life with Pierre and the kids. But otherwise found her to be annoying. It felt like she spent the first half of the book name dropping, and then the second half blaming Pierre for everything. Despite the fact that she repeatedly says she needs to stop blaming others for her problems. I wonder if there's a personality disorder along with the bipolar. "
— Dianna, 1/20/2014 -
" It gave me a deeper understanding of bi-polar perhaps but not much sympathy for Margaret as I don't think she could blame everything she did on her condition. "
— Marie, 1/15/2014 -
" enjoyed her perspectives...could have used a much better editor as it was somewhat repetitive. "
— Kyra, 1/6/2014 -
" Ms Trudeau shares her battle with bipolar disorder with brutal honesty. Her losses of both her son,Michel and his father,former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau,were made more traumatic by her illness. I couldn't put this book down. "
— Crystal, 11/27/2013 -
" I gave up 80 pages in. Boring. Me, me, me, me was all there was to it. Spoiled, silver spoon in her mouth, self pitying - blah. "
— Bob, 11/20/2013 -
" A courageous depiction of coming to terms with bipolar disease from the wife of former Prime Minister, Pierre Elliot Trudeau. "
— Kathy-Diane, 11/4/2013 -
" This was a great perspective on how one had lived with bipolar disorder. It was a deep memoir about family and a debilitating disease. Kudos for her! "
— Louise, 9/5/2013 -
" unique descriptive of manic depressive lifestyle and consequences. "
— Janet, 8/23/2013 -
" Simply astonishing! I experienced so many emotions while reading this biography. Margaret Trudeau was honest, open and unselfish in this book. I can't stop thinking about her and her life experiences. "
— Holly, 7/24/2013 -
" She wrote very honestly about her battle with mental illness over past decades. I enjoyed reading the book. "
— Vionna, 4/2/2013 -
" An honest account of her struggle with mental illness and gaining control of her life. "
— Marva, 3/19/2013 -
" A scant number of pages actually present good information on mental health, but too much of the book is self serving name dropping. "
— Mary, 12/25/2012 -
" Excellent read!!! What a life...very brave to share her story. "
— Rena, 12/19/2012 -
" A harrowing and hopeful memoir! "
— Ruth, 11/30/2012 -
" This book needs a better editor. Too much useless repetition. "
— Louise, 10/5/2012 -
" does a great job describing mental illness from inside & outside "
— Martha, 10/3/2012 -
" I loved reading about Pierre - how bizarre to be 21 and dating the Prime Minister. Margaret's life is extraordinary and she's helping to shed light on bi-polar disorder by sharing her experiences. "
— Theresa, 8/29/2012 -
" I found this book to be very inspiring and helped me to understand the realities of mental illness. "
— Alana, 6/20/2012 -
" I think this book did exactly what it set out to do. "
— Amanda, 6/12/2012
About Margaret Trudeau
Margaret Trudeau is Canada’s former first lady.