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Living Better: How I Learned to Survive Depression
Last Christmas I almost killed myself. Almost. I've had a lot of almosts. Never gone from almost to deed. Don't think I ever will. But it was a bad almost.
Better to Live is Alastair Campbell's honest, moving and life affirming account of his lifelong struggle with depression. It is an autobiographical, psychological and psychiatric study, which explores his own childhood, family and other relationships, and examines the impact of his professional and political life on himself and those around him. But it also lays bare his relentless quest to understand depression not just through his own life but through different treatments. Every bit as direct and driven, clever and candid as he is, this is a book filled with pain, but also hope -- he examines how his successes have been in part because of rather than despite his mental health problems -- and love.
We all know someone with depression. There is barely a family untouched by it. We may be talking about it more than we did, back in the era of 'boys don't cry' - they did you know - and when a brave face or a stiff upper lip or a best foot forward was seen as the only way to go. But we still don't talk about it enough. There is still stigma, and shame, and taboo. There is still the feeling that admitting to being sad or anxious makes us weak. It took me years, decades even to get to this point, but I passionately believe that the reverse is true and that speaking honestly about our feelings and experiences (whether as a depressive or as the friend or relative of a depressive) is the first and best step on the road to recovery. So that is what I have tried to do here.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2020
118 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Alastair Campbell
104 books196 followersAlastair John Campbell is a British journalist, author, strategist, broadcaster, and activist, who is known for his political roles during Tony Blair's leadership of the Labour Party. Campbell worked as Blair's spokesman and campaign director in opposition (1994–1997), then as Downing Street Press Secretary, and as the Prime Minister's Official Spokesperson (1997–2000). He then became Downing Street's director of communications and spokesman for the Labour Party (2000–2003).
Since his work for Blair, Campbell has continued to act as a freelance advisor to a number of governments and political parties, including Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania. He was an adviser to the People's Vote campaign, campaigning for a public vote on the final Brexit deal. He is the editor-at-large of The New European and chief interviewer for GQ. He acts as a consultant strategist and as an ambassador for Time to Change and other mental health charities. Throughout his time in Downing Street, Campbell kept a diary which reportedly totalled some two million words. Selected extracts, titled The Blair Years, were published in 2007. He expressed an intention to publish the diaries in fuller form, which he did from 2010 to 2018. In 2019, Campbell was expelled from the Labour Party after voting for the Liberal Democrats in that month's European elections. In 2022, Campbell launched the podcast The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart, which has been the top politics podcast in the UK in the Apple rankings since its launch.
Since his work for Blair, Campbell has continued to act as a freelance advisor to a number of governments and political parties, including Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania. He was an adviser to the People's Vote campaign, campaigning for a public vote on the final Brexit deal. He is the editor-at-large of The New European and chief interviewer for GQ. He acts as a consultant strategist and as an ambassador for Time to Change and other mental health charities. Throughout his time in Downing Street, Campbell kept a diary which reportedly totalled some two million words. Selected extracts, titled The Blair Years, were published in 2007. He expressed an intention to publish the diaries in fuller form, which he did from 2010 to 2018. In 2019, Campbell was expelled from the Labour Party after voting for the Liberal Democrats in that month's European elections. In 2022, Campbell launched the podcast The Rest Is Politics with Rory Stewart, which has been the top politics podcast in the UK in the Apple rankings since its launch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
November 26, 2021
informative read about mental health and should be a must read for everyone as helps awareness of this illness. Campbell is open and frank about his depression and his life with MH.
September 23, 2020
This was the best book I've ever read or listened to on the experience of depression. I related on far more levels than I anticipated - the range of tools that he offers as potential help for the days when you are scoring above 5 on the 1-10 depression scale were also extremely varied and I know some do work for me, but others not so much having used them myself. this was really helpful in reinforcing just how much our individual experiences are individual and generalising "if you have depression you will feel X" really has no place in an empathetic society. I would love for this to be compulsory listening for everyone who ever makes the error of saying "what have you got to be depressed about?" or "you just need to think positive thoughts and you will buck out of it" prefereably at a fairly young age. If I'd recognised my "bit of a low" times were depression there would have been a lot fewer breakups and/or job changes in my life. The honesty about the relationship with suicidal ideation was also refreshing, for some of us these thoughts are part of the coping, and we have different ways to help ourselves ensure we stop short of 10. Because Alistair has been such a public figure, and such a focus for so much antipathy I hope the book is more impactful, not just amunition for the trolls who think all life works in a very black/white all or nothing way, and fail to recognise that mostly life is nuanced.
December 30, 2021
Brutally honest and revealing account of living with depression. Tough to read at times due to its resonance but Alistair eloquently touches upon many important emotions/themes (grief, addiction, guilt, family, friendship) with such compassion and humility.
Really would recommend this to anyone either coming to terms with their own mental health or looking to understand it further.
Really would recommend this to anyone either coming to terms with their own mental health or looking to understand it further.
August 1, 2025
Our wellbeing and emotional happiness should take precedent over work and superficial titbits of life. It’s easy to say such a thing, but near impossible to act on. Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell reveals his battle with depression, and how he’s living better in his latest book of the same name. At a time where the mental health of many is under consistent strain, Living Better couldn’t have released at a better time.
Part autobiography, part mental-health guide, Campbell’s writing blurs the line between personal experience and fact-finding expedition. There are attempts made consistently throughout this piece to do away with the taboo of talking about your mental health. For that, Campbell should be commended, especially after generations of “manning up” or “putting the right foot forward”, he attempts to undo some of that damage by giving thoughtful recollections of what addiction, depression, anxiety, and workaholism entail.
Quite a loose narrative appears from time to time, and some chunks feel a tad forgettable. Campbell details his early life and relationship with his brothers in vivid detail and a level of honesty that surprised me, but the latter half of the book feels rather underwhelming. Pacing does feel like an issue to some degree, with some chapters ending far too soon, others eating up whole swathes of paper. There is certainly value to be found within, but much of it comes from the odd line here or there, rather than the chapter on the whole. It’s worth digging through the build-up to see what pay-off there is. Some advice feels rather obvious, but without the explanation before it would be just an empty gesture, so it’s nice to see Campbell explains the simplest of quips used when combating stigmas surrounding mental health.
Our mental health and emotional wellbeing are unique to us, it’s an individual experience and no two people will be identical. Living Better does a good job of detailing that, offering up a wide array of helpful tips or medical procedures available to those suffering. Campbell offers up a deep-dive of his mind, in the hopes of helping someone else. An admirable attempt at guiding those who need a little bit of help.
Part autobiography, part mental-health guide, Campbell’s writing blurs the line between personal experience and fact-finding expedition. There are attempts made consistently throughout this piece to do away with the taboo of talking about your mental health. For that, Campbell should be commended, especially after generations of “manning up” or “putting the right foot forward”, he attempts to undo some of that damage by giving thoughtful recollections of what addiction, depression, anxiety, and workaholism entail.
Quite a loose narrative appears from time to time, and some chunks feel a tad forgettable. Campbell details his early life and relationship with his brothers in vivid detail and a level of honesty that surprised me, but the latter half of the book feels rather underwhelming. Pacing does feel like an issue to some degree, with some chapters ending far too soon, others eating up whole swathes of paper. There is certainly value to be found within, but much of it comes from the odd line here or there, rather than the chapter on the whole. It’s worth digging through the build-up to see what pay-off there is. Some advice feels rather obvious, but without the explanation before it would be just an empty gesture, so it’s nice to see Campbell explains the simplest of quips used when combating stigmas surrounding mental health.
Our mental health and emotional wellbeing are unique to us, it’s an individual experience and no two people will be identical. Living Better does a good job of detailing that, offering up a wide array of helpful tips or medical procedures available to those suffering. Campbell offers up a deep-dive of his mind, in the hopes of helping someone else. An admirable attempt at guiding those who need a little bit of help.
October 4, 2020
A brave book with a noble aim, Alastair Campbell expressed a desire to challenge the taboo around mental illness and hopefully help others through his book. More of a biography through the lens of mental health/illness than a more general book about depression, it is deeply personal. Unsurprisingly some politics creep it, but I hope that having someone who is well-known speak so candidly about his struggles will indeed help to challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness, across the political spectrum.
July 3, 2021
I enjoyed reading this. Read it in a day and enjoyed Alistair's honest reflections on his depression/alcoholism/workaholicism and his family history of various difficulties.
I'm really pleased he's using his platform to speak about mental health as it's needed.
I was also really pleased that he talked to several psychiatrists who acknowledged the lack of evidence for the medical model of psychiatric difficulties and the need to look at individual's stress/vulnerability make up and more importantly what works for them. Alistair raved about an extremely simple jam jar model of understanding his illness that really empowered him to take charge of his own recovery. All good.
So I was disappointed at the missed opportunity to explore the wide range of psychological theories about mental health and collaborative approaches to working out individual formulations/interventions. CBT and one new therapeutic model aside there was no mention of decades worth of literature on 'what works' in psychotherapy. If we want to truly revolutionise mental health in the future we need to break out of the medical model perspective. Did nobody point him in the direction of Lucy Johnson's Power Threat Meaning paradigm?
We don't need to fund the NHS to the point where people can see a psychiatrist twice a week when they are struggling. I am not anti psychiatry (disclaimer I am a clinical psychologist and have worked with amazing psychiatrists) but imho the answer is collaborative team work with a range of professionals/therapists/community/self help groups (and I know Alistair will hate to hear this but activities like yoga too). It would have been nice if as a strategist he could have seen this but it appears his own singular focus on winning and finding THE answer means he really struggles with the fact that for a large part of it we don't know yet. Thus the way forward is for us to start with the psychological knowledge base accumulated so far, a humble acceptance of what we don't know and to compassionately collaborate on the way forwards by listening to people with lived experience.
Politically it left me wondering what life would be like if instead of voting into power men with maladaptive competitiveness we let their more well adjusted wives run the show....
I'm really pleased he's using his platform to speak about mental health as it's needed.
I was also really pleased that he talked to several psychiatrists who acknowledged the lack of evidence for the medical model of psychiatric difficulties and the need to look at individual's stress/vulnerability make up and more importantly what works for them. Alistair raved about an extremely simple jam jar model of understanding his illness that really empowered him to take charge of his own recovery. All good.
So I was disappointed at the missed opportunity to explore the wide range of psychological theories about mental health and collaborative approaches to working out individual formulations/interventions. CBT and one new therapeutic model aside there was no mention of decades worth of literature on 'what works' in psychotherapy. If we want to truly revolutionise mental health in the future we need to break out of the medical model perspective. Did nobody point him in the direction of Lucy Johnson's Power Threat Meaning paradigm?
We don't need to fund the NHS to the point where people can see a psychiatrist twice a week when they are struggling. I am not anti psychiatry (disclaimer I am a clinical psychologist and have worked with amazing psychiatrists) but imho the answer is collaborative team work with a range of professionals/therapists/community/self help groups (and I know Alistair will hate to hear this but activities like yoga too). It would have been nice if as a strategist he could have seen this but it appears his own singular focus on winning and finding THE answer means he really struggles with the fact that for a large part of it we don't know yet. Thus the way forward is for us to start with the psychological knowledge base accumulated so far, a humble acceptance of what we don't know and to compassionately collaborate on the way forwards by listening to people with lived experience.
Politically it left me wondering what life would be like if instead of voting into power men with maladaptive competitiveness we let their more well adjusted wives run the show....
May 25, 2025
As someone dealing with depression and anxiety I found this a strangely comforting book. In some parts while reading it was simultaneously like being kicked in the teeth by how accurate to myself some of the elements were, a difficult-to-view reflection of the hollowness and the thought processes that lead to the hurtful behaviour against yourself and others, and an almost cathartic experience when I saw it laid out in black and white.
When talking about his own experiences of mental illness whether his or through family, Campbell is frank and candid throughout without being harsh and I found the tone to be an easy one to 'listen' to and read. The Afterword written by Fiona Campbell matches in tone and though short is in itself an important read, and provides an understanding of what it's like to live with from another angle.
Like The Happy Depressive I think this is one book that will stay with me, both on my shelf and as a supportive reminder. Aside from that, it's given me different perspectives to think about in relation to my own experiences of mental illness and how I've been attempting to approach it.
(And yes, I absolutely will be trying out the jam jar.)
When talking about his own experiences of mental illness whether his or through family, Campbell is frank and candid throughout without being harsh and I found the tone to be an easy one to 'listen' to and read. The Afterword written by Fiona Campbell matches in tone and though short is in itself an important read, and provides an understanding of what it's like to live with from another angle.
Like The Happy Depressive I think this is one book that will stay with me, both on my shelf and as a supportive reminder. Aside from that, it's given me different perspectives to think about in relation to my own experiences of mental illness and how I've been attempting to approach it.
(And yes, I absolutely will be trying out the jam jar.)
August 31, 2023
This was the first book I read when I was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in August 2023, where I write this review now. This pierced the cloud of emptiness and isolation in a way nothing else has. I class it as required reading for anyone in the throes of chronic mental illness, and as a comforting hand to assist friends and family traverse this difficult time in their loved ones life.
This raw and emotional story resonated and reassured me, in ways I couldn’t imagine a book could. Striking a chord with my own experiences, and the things I was too afraid to verbalise out loud, this was truly one of the most impactful pieces of work I’ve ever read.
This raw and emotional story resonated and reassured me, in ways I couldn’t imagine a book could. Striking a chord with my own experiences, and the things I was too afraid to verbalise out loud, this was truly one of the most impactful pieces of work I’ve ever read.
October 15, 2022
A compelling and extremely personal narrative, although at the beginning a little bit messy, this book is both an autobiography and one's meditation on the more general nature of depression.
I love the fact that he explores a lot of approaches to taming it, but does not propose any single perfect solution (although he himself medicates), but rather invites the reader to explore their own mental health, to feel what gives one mental space. There is a lot in the book, including breaking misconceptions about suicides, and class-A drugs, but overall it simply invites people to see mental health realistically and on par with physical health, and just to be kinder and more thoughtful about it.
This book helped me a lot. I always admired Campbell for his work, I now respect him more for his personal journey.
I love the fact that he explores a lot of approaches to taming it, but does not propose any single perfect solution (although he himself medicates), but rather invites the reader to explore their own mental health, to feel what gives one mental space. There is a lot in the book, including breaking misconceptions about suicides, and class-A drugs, but overall it simply invites people to see mental health realistically and on par with physical health, and just to be kinder and more thoughtful about it.
This book helped me a lot. I always admired Campbell for his work, I now respect him more for his personal journey.
April 26, 2024
Very eye opening especially for someone with little personal experience of the topic. Contains advice which is incredibly helpful, affirming and relevant for everyone.
November 1, 2020
Kúsok all over the place, ale veľmi úprimný pohľad aj na svet politiky a duševného zdravia. Aj u nás by sa dala napísať.
October 3, 2022
Although the author is an insufferable narcissist, I found this book to be an important tool to talk about and remove the stigma around depression and more generally mental health.
I don’t think I am depressed (even though I definitely suffer from the occasional burnouts) but I have generalised anxiety disorder and I found some of the conversations and tools in the book to be helpful in my situation too. There are a couple of useful lists in the book for crisis prevention.
Depression is a fascinating but sad subject and I only hope that more people can get the help they need. This book might help with that.
I don’t think I am depressed (even though I definitely suffer from the occasional burnouts) but I have generalised anxiety disorder and I found some of the conversations and tools in the book to be helpful in my situation too. There are a couple of useful lists in the book for crisis prevention.
Depression is a fascinating but sad subject and I only hope that more people can get the help they need. This book might help with that.
December 17, 2020
My company invited him to give a (zoom obvs) talk on mental health. I'll admit I attended more out of curiosity to hear what the former robust Blair spin doctor had to say. Well preconceived notions were dispelled as he spoke very well for an hour with honesty, humility and nice touches of northern humor (he was born in Yorkshire, I never knew). So I decided to get his book as who doesn't need some mental health advice in this shitty year. Its probably more of an interesting honest look at his life and depression than a typical how-to book. But that made it more interesting and resonant to me, to hear about when he was manically running Blairs press or the Fleet Street hothouses in the 80s/90s when he was a political journalist and then the search for health and meaning after his resignation in the 00s.
September 10, 2020
Much better than I thought.
I often find when people talk about their own mental health it can just be the most self involved thing ever. With no goal other than to talk about how hard one's life is.
Campbell didn't do that. He was personal but practical. Lots of actionable suggestions.
Continual references were paid to his wife Fiona and what she'd been through at his side.
I found his giving a pro and contra on medication healthy. His transparency around his own medication was brilliant for fighting stigma.
Campbell did say that the myth of people with psychotic illnesses either being creative geniuses or murderous needed to be dispelled. Whilst his work does much to dislodge the latter, I worry about the former. He contextualises his successes with recourse to his 'addictive personality' and 'workoholism' so not sure if that rather gives weight to the idea of his being a creative genius rather than discrediting it.
What I liked:
- Family history
- Interviewing different sides of the debate (re. medication)
- Endorsement of pyslosibin (magic mushrooms) as medication and experimental drug trials
What I didn't like:
- Fiona only having a chapter / found it difficult to relate to her. What did she think and feel when AC hit himself in the face? Or when he told her he was having suicidal feelings. What do you say to someone when they say that? We need more transparency around how to deal with this conversation. Because if we are going to talk more about mental health, then we need to know how to respond.
- Private education took a bashing but what about private health care?? Pretty sure AC didn't see his shrink for a decade on the NHS? I don't expect him to have done but I do expect him to have been transparent about it.
Still. Very good.
I often find when people talk about their own mental health it can just be the most self involved thing ever. With no goal other than to talk about how hard one's life is.
Campbell didn't do that. He was personal but practical. Lots of actionable suggestions.
Continual references were paid to his wife Fiona and what she'd been through at his side.
I found his giving a pro and contra on medication healthy. His transparency around his own medication was brilliant for fighting stigma.
Campbell did say that the myth of people with psychotic illnesses either being creative geniuses or murderous needed to be dispelled. Whilst his work does much to dislodge the latter, I worry about the former. He contextualises his successes with recourse to his 'addictive personality' and 'workoholism' so not sure if that rather gives weight to the idea of his being a creative genius rather than discrediting it.
What I liked:
- Family history
- Interviewing different sides of the debate (re. medication)
- Endorsement of pyslosibin (magic mushrooms) as medication and experimental drug trials
What I didn't like:
- Fiona only having a chapter / found it difficult to relate to her. What did she think and feel when AC hit himself in the face? Or when he told her he was having suicidal feelings. What do you say to someone when they say that? We need more transparency around how to deal with this conversation. Because if we are going to talk more about mental health, then we need to know how to respond.
- Private education took a bashing but what about private health care?? Pretty sure AC didn't see his shrink for a decade on the NHS? I don't expect him to have done but I do expect him to have been transparent about it.
Still. Very good.
September 16, 2020
A brilliant insightful read and as it quotes on the front cover “could save someone’s life”.
Very pertinent read for these times when everyone’s mental health is being challenged.
Very pertinent read for these times when everyone’s mental health is being challenged.
September 19, 2021
One of my favourite books is 'All in the Mind' by Alistair Campbell, a fictional tale of a therapist who turns out to be more unwell than his patients, with a very powerful ending that has stuck in my mind ever since. It was incredibly well written and felt so real - and from it I knew the author must have personal experience of mental health struggles. So when I learnt that Campbell was bringing out a book of his experience with depression, I was curious to read it.
I applaud anyone that is brave enough to share their personal mental health battles, especially when they're in the public eye. Although the stigma around mental illness has definitely improved in recent years, there is still a lack of understanding, and physical health always seems to take precedent (even though physical and mental health are so interwoven). I am so tired of a lack of funding to mental health services - even with all the talk out there of the importance of mental health, very little ever seems to change.
'Living Better' is Campbell's personal journey with depression - from his childhood and family tragedies involving suicide and a brother with schizophrenia, to his time in politics working with Tony Blair, his addiction to work and alcohol, his experience of psychosis, and finally he shares what treatments and methods have worked for him in terms of managing his depression. Interestingly, his wife wrote the afterword and offers her advice for anyone in a relationship with someone with depression... of course Campbell couldn't let her have the last word though, and wrote an afterword after her afterword - updating the book with a list of what has helped him through lockdown.
I did find this book interesting; it offers practical strategies of managing depression that Campbell was given by psychiatrists. I particularly liked the jam jar exercise- a visual representation of your vulnerabilities (things you can't change e.g. genetics) and protective factors (things you can change e.g. strength of relationships/meaningful activities) against depression. I'm sure this book could be helpful for anyone wanting strategies like this. For me though, I found it all a little simplistic and surface level. I wanted him to dive deeper in his exploration of depression and different treatments. A little disappointing.
I applaud anyone that is brave enough to share their personal mental health battles, especially when they're in the public eye. Although the stigma around mental illness has definitely improved in recent years, there is still a lack of understanding, and physical health always seems to take precedent (even though physical and mental health are so interwoven). I am so tired of a lack of funding to mental health services - even with all the talk out there of the importance of mental health, very little ever seems to change.
'Living Better' is Campbell's personal journey with depression - from his childhood and family tragedies involving suicide and a brother with schizophrenia, to his time in politics working with Tony Blair, his addiction to work and alcohol, his experience of psychosis, and finally he shares what treatments and methods have worked for him in terms of managing his depression. Interestingly, his wife wrote the afterword and offers her advice for anyone in a relationship with someone with depression... of course Campbell couldn't let her have the last word though, and wrote an afterword after her afterword - updating the book with a list of what has helped him through lockdown.
I did find this book interesting; it offers practical strategies of managing depression that Campbell was given by psychiatrists. I particularly liked the jam jar exercise- a visual representation of your vulnerabilities (things you can't change e.g. genetics) and protective factors (things you can change e.g. strength of relationships/meaningful activities) against depression. I'm sure this book could be helpful for anyone wanting strategies like this. For me though, I found it all a little simplistic and surface level. I wanted him to dive deeper in his exploration of depression and different treatments. A little disappointing.
December 26, 2020
I wouldn't have bought this book, and only read it because my son passed it on to me after he'd read it.
It's an interesting book for anybody, not just those who have experienced depression themselves. Everybody gets the occasional low mood, and some of the self-help tips may be widely applicable. Personally, I am extremely fortunate in never having experienced proper depression of the kind Campbell describes, yet his techniques for getting out of a trough were fairly familiar to me. Many, if not most, people will know someone who gets bouts of depression even if they don't suffer with it themselves, so it's useful to get this insider's viewpoint.
For me, the most interesting aspects of the book were the biographical details. I didn't know a lot about Alastair Campbell, except that he had been Tony Blair's right-hand man, and had a reputation for being a sweary, egocentric enforcer (allegedly the inspiration for Malcolm Tucker in Armando Ianucci's comedy The Thick of It). The book doesn't do much to change that picture, but it does fill out the character a lot. I was delighted to learn that Campbell plays bagpipes - not just as a pastime, but rather seriously, and formerly at competition level. He also composes tunes. I found the family history and very Scottish roots fascinating and it certainly revealed a more humane and humble character than I had previously realised was there.
That said, I felt that the book wasn't especially well-written. It felt rushed, possibly written as a stream-of-consciousness outpouring without a pre-planned structure. But perhaps I'm being picky. I've read a lot of high quality writing recently, and have become more critical of offerings that don't match up. It must have been ok, as I did finish it, and found it quite interesting.
The penultimate chapter gave a particularly useful insight as it was written by Campbell's wife Fiona Millar. She offers her view of the experience of being married to Alastair Campbell for four decades (difficult, but never dull), and offers advice to anyone sharing their life with a depressive. This chapter was meant to be the last word in the book, but (perhaps typically) Campbell takes it back and provides a postscript, written after the start of the pandemic, with some reflection on the mental health effects of lockdown.
Overall, worth a read, and many might find valuable lessons in this book.
It's an interesting book for anybody, not just those who have experienced depression themselves. Everybody gets the occasional low mood, and some of the self-help tips may be widely applicable. Personally, I am extremely fortunate in never having experienced proper depression of the kind Campbell describes, yet his techniques for getting out of a trough were fairly familiar to me. Many, if not most, people will know someone who gets bouts of depression even if they don't suffer with it themselves, so it's useful to get this insider's viewpoint.
For me, the most interesting aspects of the book were the biographical details. I didn't know a lot about Alastair Campbell, except that he had been Tony Blair's right-hand man, and had a reputation for being a sweary, egocentric enforcer (allegedly the inspiration for Malcolm Tucker in Armando Ianucci's comedy The Thick of It). The book doesn't do much to change that picture, but it does fill out the character a lot. I was delighted to learn that Campbell plays bagpipes - not just as a pastime, but rather seriously, and formerly at competition level. He also composes tunes. I found the family history and very Scottish roots fascinating and it certainly revealed a more humane and humble character than I had previously realised was there.
That said, I felt that the book wasn't especially well-written. It felt rushed, possibly written as a stream-of-consciousness outpouring without a pre-planned structure. But perhaps I'm being picky. I've read a lot of high quality writing recently, and have become more critical of offerings that don't match up. It must have been ok, as I did finish it, and found it quite interesting.
The penultimate chapter gave a particularly useful insight as it was written by Campbell's wife Fiona Millar. She offers her view of the experience of being married to Alastair Campbell for four decades (difficult, but never dull), and offers advice to anyone sharing their life with a depressive. This chapter was meant to be the last word in the book, but (perhaps typically) Campbell takes it back and provides a postscript, written after the start of the pandemic, with some reflection on the mental health effects of lockdown.
Overall, worth a read, and many might find valuable lessons in this book.
June 25, 2023
I must admit I am not one for self help books or books from that genre/ area for whatever reason but I really enjoyed reading this one. Maybe because it was the first one I’d properly read or maybe because it was authored by someone who, listening to their podcast twice a week, you feel like you know somewhat better / are more connected to, I don’t know. Campbell speaks of the medical treatments and lifestyle changes in his life that he has used with regards to his mental health. It was interesting to hear of his experiences with different medications and treatments etc. and their effect or lack of. The part on lifestyle choices and their effect on living better was very interesting and thought provoking and are definitely ones that I am actively considering and looking into implementing. Very interesting book as I say and one that I would recommend and one that had much more of an impact on me than I thought it would going into it.
January 4, 2024
I think the amount of reading I’ve done on the science of mental health would’ve given me a good insight. How wrong I was. It’s one thing understanding mechanisms, but another to understand the manifestations.
I think Campbell really hits home in what mental health can look like in its darkest times, and it’s not pretty, but it’s essential for anyone, because we will all be touched by a mental health issue in one way or another.
Overall, really enjoyable yet harrowing at times but will definitely help me to empathise more with mental health sufferers, and not to (naively) dismiss their struggles as just a bad day.
Thanks Matthew for the book!
I think Campbell really hits home in what mental health can look like in its darkest times, and it’s not pretty, but it’s essential for anyone, because we will all be touched by a mental health issue in one way or another.
Overall, really enjoyable yet harrowing at times but will definitely help me to empathise more with mental health sufferers, and not to (naively) dismiss their struggles as just a bad day.
Thanks Matthew for the book!
February 2, 2021
Of all the self help books I’ve read; memoirs and stories of depression - I never thought I’d find myself relating so closely with the mind of someone such as Alastair.
Within this book, there are analogies, revelations and explanations of depression that I’d never have thought of before.
Whilst there are certainly dark, and potentially triggering elements to this book - it really has been an excellent and eye opening read.
Within this book, there are analogies, revelations and explanations of depression that I’d never have thought of before.
Whilst there are certainly dark, and potentially triggering elements to this book - it really has been an excellent and eye opening read.
December 18, 2024
everyone’s experience with depression differs and yet this book portrayed it in its truest form with such an in depth look into the mental illness and ways it can affect you aswell as the people around you. interesting reads and heavy for people with depression as some parts can hit a little too close to home
March 4, 2024
Really interesting. A must-read for anyone wishing to understand more about depression, from a personal perspective. Campbell's writing is easy to read, despite the (at times) heavy subject-matter.
March 4, 2023
It gets better (the book and the depression)
January 4, 2024
5 stars for the most open and descriptive personal account of severe depression I've read. To document the topic with such frank honesty and in doing so produce a book that feels positive-minded throughout is a testament to AC's thoughtful yet direct approach.
February 25, 2024
7/5
Brilliant for sufferers and not. Truly insightful and open.
Brilliant for sufferers and not. Truly insightful and open.
July 26, 2025
I really benefited from reading this. A very personal tale from Alastair Campbell, but one that I imagine will be the experience of a lot of other people. Despite the subject matter, it genuinely left me feeling more optimistic about mental health and our ability to improve it.
December 2, 2022
Since I started listening to (and absolutely loving) The Rest Is Politics, a podcast which Alastair hosts alongside Rory Stewart, I really wanted to read more of his writing.
I really enjoyed this book - it was moving, insightful and gave a lot of useful advice. Alastair has a really accessible writing style and nice tone of voice throughout which makes some really difficult topics and situations easy to read. I’d definitely recommend it to everyone as mental health affects all of our lives in some way. I really loved the afterword from Fiona too - it was nice that she had an opportunity to give her perspective in first person, even if only for a few pages!
I really enjoyed this book - it was moving, insightful and gave a lot of useful advice. Alastair has a really accessible writing style and nice tone of voice throughout which makes some really difficult topics and situations easy to read. I’d definitely recommend it to everyone as mental health affects all of our lives in some way. I really loved the afterword from Fiona too - it was nice that she had an opportunity to give her perspective in first person, even if only for a few pages!
April 13, 2021
I thought this book was so frank and refreshing. I would love it to be added to the secondary school curriculum as compulsory reading, for its honest stories and useful coping strategies. Although, never lived with depression myself, the read was very eye opening and Alistair has a lovely way of explaining things that is very to the point. I especially liked Fionas chapter at the very end, as often those who live with and support those living with mental health issues get overlooked.
June 18, 2021
A searingly honest and emotional read. Mostly an interesting account of Campbell's personal life and challenges but also a very informative look at the causes and treatments for depression. I also liked the insight into the political turmoils he has worked through and characters he has worked with. Would recommend.
July 25, 2022
This is marketed as a self-help book about depression, on which level it is a more than averagely engaging addition to the genre (although like most self-help books, the useful bits could probably be condensed down to about 10 pages). It is also – I would say primarily - a memoir, and on that level is arguably more interesting for its insights into narcissistic personality disorder as the depression it is ostensibly about (although I would guess the two must be psychologically connected in Alistair Campbell’s case).
I find it difficult to believe that somebody with Campbell’s career history and behavioural tendencies, and who has spent so much time in the company of mental health professionals, has never had it suggested to him that narcissism might be at least part of the explanation for his mental health struggles. And yet the word narcissism doesn’t feature once in the book, which leaves me wondering whether he has been more selective in what he exposes about himself than he purports to have been. And as soon as doubts start to creep in about the reliability of the narrator, the whole concept of the book starts to feel quite deeply flawed.
This is not to say that I think Campbell is being consciously cynical – I believe the intention of the book is genuinely well meaning, and if it persuades just a handful of emotionally reticent middle-aged men to seek the help they need it will have served a worthwhile purpose. But to get to the end you'll need to have a fairly high level of tolerance for Alistair Campbell talking about what a fascinating and unique person Alistair Campbell is, which can be hard going at times even for somebody who would describe himself as a fan.
I find it difficult to believe that somebody with Campbell’s career history and behavioural tendencies, and who has spent so much time in the company of mental health professionals, has never had it suggested to him that narcissism might be at least part of the explanation for his mental health struggles. And yet the word narcissism doesn’t feature once in the book, which leaves me wondering whether he has been more selective in what he exposes about himself than he purports to have been. And as soon as doubts start to creep in about the reliability of the narrator, the whole concept of the book starts to feel quite deeply flawed.
This is not to say that I think Campbell is being consciously cynical – I believe the intention of the book is genuinely well meaning, and if it persuades just a handful of emotionally reticent middle-aged men to seek the help they need it will have served a worthwhile purpose. But to get to the end you'll need to have a fairly high level of tolerance for Alistair Campbell talking about what a fascinating and unique person Alistair Campbell is, which can be hard going at times even for somebody who would describe himself as a fan.
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