HE WANTED THE MOON The Madness and Medical Genius of Dr. Perry Baird, and His Daughter's Quest to Know Him

Narrator Paul Boehmer nails the distinctive speech patterns of a person with bipolar disorder. As Dr. Perry Baird transitions from prominent dermatologist to tortured patient, Boehmer's reading progresses from calm and orderly to emotional and chaotic. Both enlightening and heartbreaking, Baird's portrait of her father reflects common psychiatric practices in the mid-twentieth century. Depictions of cruel shock therapy and even lobotomy chill the listener. Crafted from Dr. Baird's hospital journals, his daughter's methodical examination of the father she barely knew initially seems cold, but it culminates in love for a man who was unjustly sentenced to a miserable life. This outstanding work with three narrators is a must-listen for all who yearn for greater understanding of mental disorders, as well as those who love a good story. J.J.B. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2015]