In his early thirties, Danny Evans had a smokin' hot wife, a new baby boy, and the highest paying job he'd ever had. Then, in the span of one week,...
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Apr 29, 2010
Leila
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May 23, 2009
Torrie
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This is the book equivalent of standing in gym class naked. It's raw, brutally honest, and laugh out loud funny. Danny bravely talks about his struggle with depression without depressing you.
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Jan 02, 2011
Daniel
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One of my resolutions for the 2010 year was to read 50 books. On December 30, I was at 49 and needed a quick read to finish the year. A Christmas gift from one of her cousins, Steph suggested that I read Danny Evans' Rage Against the Meshugenah and after seeing its enormous typeface, I decided to go for it. I was 40 pages away from finishing when I got sleepy and went to bed on the evening of December 30. The 31st came and went and I forgot to finish it. So there you go: I failed my New Yea
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Jan 20, 2010
Lori
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This is Evans' recounting of his battle with clinical depression. It’s a powerful tale, written with his trademark wit, insight, and honesty. It’s an obvious labor of love, and also an obvious attempt to reach out to other men (and women) who either battle with depression or have a loved one that battles depression. For those not in the know, meshugenah is the yiddish word for crazy.
What was great about this book is how any person can see bits of their own life in it. How anyone can id More...
What was great about this book is how any person can see bits of their own life in it. How anyone can id More...
Nov 29, 2009
Sondra Santos
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Last week, I went to Danny Evans‘ book signing here in Escondido. It was pretty deceiving, since we walked into the large bookstore and explored the entire store without finding Dad Gone Mad or anything that remotely looked like there was an event going on somewhere in the vicinity. In fact, we almost left, my friend making fun of me for driving such a long way on the wrong night, or driving to the wrong location. Then, I asked an employee to help me figure it all out once I had the Dad Gone Mad
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Jun 27, 2010
Sarah
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Instead of a synopsis or blurbs, the back jacket of this book excerpts a passage from the first chapter, a hilarious shout-out to Evans' first therapist, named Neil Diamond (no relation). Highlight: he spends much of his time with Dr. Diamond trying to work up the courage to say, as he's leaving a session, "Thanks, Doc. Good times have NEVER been so good." HAAAA! As it turns out, this jacket copy was an excellent PR decision, as that passage is the only really funny thing in this b
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Oct 24, 2009
Kevin
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I've read many books about depression and the one thing I never paid attention to until listening to an interview with Danny Evans, is that they're all written from a woman's perspective. Very little exists about depression from a male's perspective.
Along comes Danny Evans, a man whose blog I've been reading for a few years. He's alluded to his depression in his blog but he's never gone into it to the level that he does in this book.
With a strong wit and deep insight and More...
Along comes Danny Evans, a man whose blog I've been reading for a few years. He's alluded to his depression in his blog but he's never gone into it to the level that he does in this book.
With a strong wit and deep insight and More...
Oct 30, 2009
Betsy (Gray Matter)
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I have to be honest, I was a little iffy on the book as I was reading it. There were so many times I wished Danny would have stayed in his "authentic" narrative as, at times in an effort to inject humor, I felt that it broke the flow of the powerful story he was telling about his battle with depression.
I was also a little frustrated by his "Jackie Mason-esque" Jewish "schtick" when talking about growing up in a very religious house, it was so contrary to More...
I was also a little frustrated by his "Jackie Mason-esque" Jewish "schtick" when talking about growing up in a very religious house, it was so contrary to More...
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Jan 30, 2010
Dinah
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I'm wrestling with this one. My poor review of this book probably has as much to do with me as with Mr. Evans. The book starts off strong on two counts: humor, and a few truly evocative descriptions of living with depression. Unfortunately it's all downhill from there.
The book mostly becomes about the author's Daddy issues, recounting therapy sessions and fights with his wife. This is roughly as interesting as listening to an acquaintance rehash his/her dreams.
My bigger More...
The book mostly becomes about the author's Daddy issues, recounting therapy sessions and fights with his wife. This is roughly as interesting as listening to an acquaintance rehash his/her dreams.
My bigger More...
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Feb 21, 2011
Tracyj
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A very interesting look at depression and what goes on in the mind and body when you are in the throes of depression. Funny at times, however I couldn't help feeling that he was trying a little too hard to be funny - the humor just felt forced in parts. He also jumps around sometimes chronologically which was confusing. While I realized he writes a blog and exerpts from this book were lifted directly from his blog, other parts that weren't supposed to be from the blog still felt bloggish. I know
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Aug 15, 2009
Shannon
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I laughed, I cried, I snorted and I read aloud so my Dad could do the same.
He asked to borrow it when I am done. You can have it tomorrow Dad.
Danny masters hilarity as he trudges through a valley I pray to never see myself. The insights are snarfably perfect in their timing and precise in their messages.
In sickness and in health indeed. Thanks for the reminder Danny, I am glad you are where you are with this illness and grateful for having come across More...
He asked to borrow it when I am done. You can have it tomorrow Dad.
Danny masters hilarity as he trudges through a valley I pray to never see myself. The insights are snarfably perfect in their timing and precise in their messages.
In sickness and in health indeed. Thanks for the reminder Danny, I am glad you are where you are with this illness and grateful for having come across More...
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Feb 14, 2010
Indra
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**spoiler alert** The title is irresistible, and it got me to pick it up and buy it. The blurb was good, too. I appreciated Evans' humor and that he has the cojones to tackle depression from a male perspective. The humor and the honesty about what depression feels like and is on a daily basis were the strengths of this book, in my opinion--that said, the loose ends tied up awfully suddenly and neatly: his corner got turned because of his kids. The writing is fine, but I wasn't able to connect
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May 25, 2010
Lynn
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The title of Danny Evan's raw book about his battle with depression, Rage Against the Meshugenah, is derived both from the name of the band whose most famous song's refrain is "Fuck you! I won't do what you tell me!" (Rage Against the Machine) and the Jewish word for crazy--Meshugenah. That combination alone compelled me to read this book.
But this isn't just a funny book about depression. Evans "outs" his depression in a way that is deeply moving and hysteric More...
But this isn't just a funny book about depression. Evans "outs" his depression in a way that is deeply moving and hysteric More...
Dec 10, 2009
Jessica
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Danny Evans was a young husband and new dad in September 2001, when he lost his job just days before 9/11. The combination of personal setback and national tragedy sent him into a spiral of clinical depression. This memoir details his struggle to get his life back in order, with the requisite doses of humor and poignancy. His gift as a writer is that he really nails the emotions and experiences that occur during a moderate to severe depression, and he is not afraid to share personal details.
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Feb 26, 2010
Noelle
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I thought it was a "sometimes laugh out loud" funny and HONEST account of what it's like to realize you're suffering from depression as well as the journey to get well. Like his writing style and feel like it was a good read. Although I'm female, I thought it was interesting for a man to tell it from his perspective, especially since they're more likely to suffer in silence or even not admit that they are sick. Really enjoy Danny Evans' blog too!
Jun 24, 2011
Michael
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I don't regret reading the book, but i certainly didn't find it as captivating or as funny as many of the other readers that have reviewed it on here have. Or, perhaps there sense of humor is easier to reach than mine. It's so short of what I'd consider a great memoir (such as Name All the Animals or Dandy in the Underworld) that it barely registered with me. I rather doubt that any of it will stay with me very long.
May 04, 2010
Dayna
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There are a lot of books about depression and mental illness, and I've read quite a few. Rage Against the Meshugenah is a memoir of a father's struggle to overcome depression. It was a quick and easy read but was not my favorite in the genre. Maybe I just can't relate to a macho, Jewish dad of two? I don't know.
I felt like the author was a bit of a chauvinist and that he wasn't very respectful of his wife. It was clear through the book that he loves his wife very much, but something More...
I felt like the author was a bit of a chauvinist and that he wasn't very respectful of his wife. It was clear through the book that he loves his wife very much, but something More...
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Aug 07, 2009
Pam
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Danny Evans is the writer behind the popular blog, Dad Gone Mad. This is his first book.
RATM is a raw account of his dealing with clinical depression as jewish man as well as how this affected his young family. Despite the subject, this book is not depressing.
If you have ever experienced major depression or know someone who is, you should definitely read this book. If you haven't, well, you should read it anyway.
RATM is a raw account of his dealing with clinical depression as jewish man as well as how this affected his young family. Despite the subject, this book is not depressing.
If you have ever experienced major depression or know someone who is, you should definitely read this book. If you haven't, well, you should read it anyway.
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Jun 06, 2010
Amy
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I loved this story, mainly because hearing a man talk about his depression (in a hilarious way, to boot) is such a rare thing in our society. You'll find yourself rooting for Danny throughout the story, even in those moments when you know his depression is so deep and all-consuming that his family is suffering as a result. (Danny's wife, Sharon, is a saint.) Overall, this is a hysterical account of what is truly a sad illness, one that destroys the lives of many people. Kudos to Danny for pu
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Jul 28, 2011
I loved this book! It was a bit slow to start but had me laughing out load many times. One of the reviews says that anyone can find a part of themselves in this book. I found a little bit of 'me' in a lot of it. I don't suffer from depression like he did but still it woke me up a bit. I'm glad I read it. I'm just a little better off for doing so. Great book!
Feb 01, 2010
Cody
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I can totally identify with this guy's story. I even have the "power surges" or "zaps" in my head that he does. I would love to know what they are and how to get rid of them!
A great book for anyone who has ever had depression, is depressed or loves someone who is battling depression...and anyone else who loves to laugh!
A great book for anyone who has ever had depression, is depressed or loves someone who is battling depression...and anyone else who loves to laugh!
Aug 24, 2009
Porterhall
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Danny's book about his journey through depression is a wonderful read. His story is told with a lot of humor and brutal honesty. I have been reading his blog for a long while and love his writing style. I highly recommend "Rage...", especially if you or someone you know is suffering from this hidden disease. Thank you, Danny, for writing it.
Feb 07, 2010
Amy
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Danny Evans did the seemingly impossible. He wrote a funny book about depression. Having struggled with depression myself, I found myself nodding along with Danny's insights too many times to count. While a man seems to struggle in different ways than a woman (or maybe it's just a different struggle person to person) I found a lot of wisdom in what Danny had to say and even found myself wondering if I shouldn't seek counseling again for some things I might need to work through.
I fo More...
I fo More...
Oct 23, 2009
Yak
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A Jewish man chronicles his depression and recovery, including too much information about his sex life and childbirth. He's so enamored with being a funny potty-mouth in many parts that it's hard to take him seriously when he IS being serious, like musing on what he really wants to do with his life vs. just having a job, but still an amusing and mostly sympathetic character. Definitely more of a blogger than a novelist though.
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Jul 12, 2010
Nancy
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An interesting memoir about a man struggling with depression and his climb out. He is honest, humorous and crass at times. However, his honest look at how depression altered his life was revealing and frank. He shares his use of medications and therapy in an effort to "get well." As he goes through the process he went through and how his life is forever altered due to this illness. An interesting perspective while at times amusing and raw.
Aug 02, 2010
Jessica
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Reading this out of couriosity to see if it is as bad as Heather reports it to be. ;)
Now that I have read this book, while I do agree that is it a bit of a rambeling session, it was also very intertaining and humours. Danny Evans manages to put an enlightening, funny twist on his ordeals w/ depression.
Now that I have read this book, while I do agree that is it a bit of a rambeling session, it was also very intertaining and humours. Danny Evans manages to put an enlightening, funny twist on his ordeals w/ depression.
Feb 05, 2010
Mari
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Meh. There's some good writing in here, but this book lacked a cohesive narrative. It's a memoir, but it jumped back and forth. It definitely read like the blog that it was based upon.
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Oct 25, 2011
Franny
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A memoir about a young father's struggle through a 2-year long depression. A little vulgar in parts. Would especially recommend to a man struggling with depression.
Aug 26, 2009
Dina
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Snort-out-lound funny. Really raw account of his descent into depression and his fight to get his life back. really worth the read, whether you're depressed or not.
Jun 23, 2010
Erin
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Interesting read, particularly for folks who have or suspect they have gone through depression. Not sure if I ended up liking the author or not.
