Elizabeth Burton Phillips is a teacher, an ordinary middle-class mother who had always tried to do the best for her children; she never imagined that her identical twin sons, who had been doing so well at school, would become involved in drugs. She was shocked when they were suspended from school for smoking cannabis; but this was just the start of a terrible, unimaginable journey - culminating in the knock on the door in the early hours by the police. They gave her the devastating news that her son Nick had killed himself in despair at his heroin addiction.Since his death, Elizabeth has campaigned tirelessly to make parents aware of the pain and suffering caused to families by drug addiction; and her surviving twin, Simon, now drug-free, has contributed his own thoughts to this inspiring and moving book.
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It reinforces the message that I have had to learn the hard way, namely that sometimes, in order to help your loved ones, you have to sever your links with them (MRS MONEYPENNY, FT MAGAZINE )
I would urge all parents, teachers and pupils to read this heart-rending book (Anthony Seldon, Headmaster, Wellington College )
A moving, frightening story (Belfast Telegraph )
a book that is moving and ultimately, inspiring (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY )
I would urge all parents, teachers and pupils to read this heart-rending book (Anthony Seldon, Headmaster, Wellington College )
A moving, frightening story (Belfast Telegraph )
a book that is moving and ultimately, inspiring (WATERSTONES BOOKS QUARTERLY )
Book Description
A mother's searing account of every parent's nightmare - how drug addiction destroyed the lives of her twin sons
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First Sentence
IN SPRING 1976 the bump appeared, and it grew and grew. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
IN SPRING 1976 the bump appeared, and it grew and grew. Read the first page Browse Sample Pages
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A. Smith
Format:Hardcover
I think it is hard to understand the feelings that you get once you have given birth to a baby, and you always hope that they will stay safe, happy and succesfull all of their life. In reality this is not always the case, and Elizabeth has built up the courage to lay bare her feelings of what must have been a harrowing time of her life.
Elizabeth is a great example to all mothers, and proves that love really does conquer all. No matter what, she stuck by her family and always wanted the best for them. I feel that this was also her main motivator for wanting a succesfull career, to be a good role model to her kids.
This book should be in every parents starter pack, as it is a great reminder that the drug world is on everyones doorstep, and to not to think that because you live a privileged life or have lots of money that your kids will be safe.
Elizabeth is a great example to all mothers, and proves that love really does conquer all. No matter what, she stuck by her family and always wanted the best for them. I feel that this was also her main motivator for wanting a succesfull career, to be a good role model to her kids.
This book should be in every parents starter pack, as it is a great reminder that the drug world is on everyones doorstep, and to not to think that because you live a privileged life or have lots of money that your kids will be safe.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is a real eye opener about drug abuse. Even if you have not been personally affected by drugs I would highly recommend that you read it.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I actually watched Elizabeth Burton-Phillips and her son being interviewed about the book when it was launched, but didn't hear the complete discussion to know the full story behind what happened to one of her twins.
That meant that when I sat down to read it in one sitting today it was a shock and surprise to reach the end. It's incredibly powerful and departs from many memoirs in recording the views of everyone concerned as time went on, not just the main author.
Two copies of this book need to be sat in every single secondary school library and it should be a set book in English classes, it would do more for drugs education in school than any programme out there at the moment.
So if you have kids, particularly nearing their teenage years, read this for the perfect grace-of-god cautionary tale.
That meant that when I sat down to read it in one sitting today it was a shock and surprise to reach the end. It's incredibly powerful and departs from many memoirs in recording the views of everyone concerned as time went on, not just the main author.
Two copies of this book need to be sat in every single secondary school library and it should be a set book in English classes, it would do more for drugs education in school than any programme out there at the moment.
So if you have kids, particularly nearing their teenage years, read this for the perfect grace-of-god cautionary tale.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Having watched my mum battle with her sister's heroin addicition throughout my childhood but then giving up and accepting her choices, this book really helped me to understand what she has been through. Lots of books talk from the perspective of the drug user and having read from both angles it seems that the family go through so much more than the addicts themselves. This book made me cry, it was very sad and upsetting and the writer doesn't hold back any of the grim realities of heroin addition.
A compelling read.
A compelling read.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Denise Drew
Format:Paperback
What a great read. Honest and heart felt gave a real insight into what happens when drugs become an inportant part of a family showing what happens to the addict and the effect it has on close family and friends.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By gemini lass
Format:Paperback
the title says it all. this book is easy to read and keeps the reader engrossed. its a very sad story of addiction and families, and highlighted that drug addiction can affect anybody indiscriminately. the author should be proud, i think her and her son did a very brave thing telling their story
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By William Cohen
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
I'm writing a book with a recovering heroin addict, and I read this book as background. It's a sad and moving account of a mother's struggle to deal with her twin sons descent into drug addiction and crime. The story is further complicated by the dependent relationship between the twins. One can't seem to climb out of the addiction, without being dragged back in by the other. It opened my eyes to the complexity of family and adult relationships. How far should we help one another? At what point do you apply 'tough love'? Questions that the author hasn't got any definitive answers to, but which she lays out in horrifying detail.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Millymoo
Format:Hardcover
I started to read this book one afternoon and could not put it down. It is a compelling account of what drugs - in this case heroin - can do to "ordinary" families and the hold it takes on victims.
This is a story written with great honesty and without blame. I would urge any parent to read - uncomfortable as it is to realise it could happen to any one of us.
This is a story written with great honesty and without blame. I would urge any parent to read - uncomfortable as it is to realise it could happen to any one of us.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Emotional
Having seen this book performed at my Son's school I then bought the book. Such a compelling and moving true story. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really interestiung book
Really interesting book - reminded me very much of Mark Dempsters, Nothing to Declare which touches on the same subjects. Both highly recommended. Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. H. Lockington
4.0 out of 5 stars
neessary reading
A heart rending account..especially for anyone who has lived in similar circumstances...or even if they haven't. An insight. And easy to read style.
Published 2 months ago by val donnelly
4.0 out of 5 stars
Required reading
This book was recommended to me by a recovering addict as a way of understanding the position. It should be compulsory reading in all sixth forms and people need to realise that... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Kenneth Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
A very good read, very sad and tells the reality of becoming entrenched in the substance misuse world. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Ricky Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good writing
Excellent book, well written and emotional. This book outlines the affects drugs have not just on the person taking them but on the family too.
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. Paula M. Edmans
5.0 out of 5 stars
very thought provoking
I thought this would be a good read when a friend recommended it to me. Sometimes its good to shake yourself up a bit and know more about people less fortunate. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Julie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not my cup of tea
I was recommended this by a friend and I just could not get into this book at all. I am not really a fan of this book that's why I rated 3 stars instead of 5 but the price was... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Catw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
Such a heart-touching and inspirational book, written incredibly well % drew the reader in, couldnt put the book down & had me in tears at one point! excellent read
Published 8 months ago by Rachael Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0749951729/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title
this book can give you a full insight of a drug users lifestyle but a honest and frank account of the effects of this evil addition. Read more
Published 10 months ago by muma T
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