American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life

Name: American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life
Price: 17.87 USD
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Rating: 4.7 (19 reviews)

4.7 of 5 Stars: History - American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life

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Book Synopsis: A Silent Spring for the human body, this wide-ranging, genre-crossing literary mystery interweaves the author's quest to understand the source of her own condition with her telling of the story of the chronically ill 19th-century diarist Alice James—ultimately uncovering the many hidden health hazards of life in America.

When Jennifer Lunden became chronically ill after moving from Canada to Maine, her case was a medical mystery. Just 21, unable to hold a book or stand for a shower, she lost her job and consigned herself to her bed. The doctor she went to for help told her she was “just depressed.”

After suffering from this enigmatic illness for five years, she discovered an unlikely source of hope and healing: a biography of Alice James, the bright, witty, and often bedridden sibling of brothers Henry James, the novelist, and William James, the father of psychology. Alice suffered from a life-shattering illness known as neurasthenia, now often dismissed as a “fashionable illness.”

In this meticulously researched and illuminating debut, Lunden interweaves her own experience with Alice’s, exploring the history of medicine and the effects of the industrial revolution and late-stage capitalism to tell a riveting story of how we are a nation struggling—and failing—to be healthy.

Although science—and the politics behind its funding—has in many ways let Lunden and millions like her down, in the end science offers a revelation that will change how readers think about the ecosystems of their bodies, their communities, the country, and the planet.

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Experience an eye-opening journey through the hidden health hazards of life in America with "American Breakdown: Our Ailing Nation, My Body's Revolt, and the Nineteenth-Century Woman Who Brought Me Back to Life." This captivating literary mystery, reminiscent of "Silent Spring," delves deep into the author's quest to uncover the truth behind her own mysterious illness, intertwining it with the compelling story of Alice James, a chronically ill diarist from the 19th century.

From the moment Jennifer Lunden became bedridden and lost her job at just 21 years old, she was determined to find answers. Ignored and dismissed by doctors, she stumbled upon a glimmer of hope in the form of Alice James' biography. Discover how Alice's struggle with neurasthenia, a devastating illness often brushed aside as a mere fad, resonates with Lunden's own journey and sheds light on the countless obstacles faced by millions.

In this meticulously researched and thought-provoking debut, Lunden skillfully explores the history of medicine, the impact of the industrial revolution, and the perils of late-stage capitalism. Prepare to be captivated as you witness a nation grappling with its own well-being, while failing to find a solution. Uncover the shocking reality behind the scenes and learn how science, despite its limitations, offers a revelatory perspective that will forever change the way you view your body, your community, your country, and the entire planet.

Join the movement towards better health and a deeper understanding of our interconnected ecosystems. Embrace the powerful message of "American Breakdown," and embark on a transformative journey that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the world around you.

Ready to dive into this extraordinary tale? Get your hands on "American Breakdown" now and prepare to be enlightened. Shop now and discover the groundbreaking fusion of mystery, history, and personal discovery that awaits you.

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