The TV reporter’s struggles with depression and the suicide of his father, whose own father killed himself, prompt this incisive, highly personal investigationJames Longman is an English broadcast journalist who was the BBC’s man in Beirut before joining US network ABC, where he is now chief international correspondent. He has reported from wars in Syria and Ukraine and covered Covid lockdowns, the queen’s funeral and the 2018 cave rescue in Thailand.On screen, Longman is the type of British journalist that Americans love: eloquent, charismatic and unflappable. Behind the composure, however, runs a tragic legacy of mental illness. In 1996, when he was nine, Longman’s father John, an artist who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his 20s, died after setting fire to his Notting Hill flat. Longman’s paternal grandfather also killed himself, and his mother, too, has endured mental health struggles. Longman’s own experiences with depression from his mid-20s onwards have prompted him...
Summary of "The Inherited Mind" by James Longman Review
James Longman's memoir, *The Inherited Mind*, is a poignant exploration of mental illness spanning his family's history. The book delves into Longman's personal struggles with depression, his father's suicide, and his grandfather's suicide, prompting him to investigate the genetic and environmental factors influencing mental health. Through a blend of memoir and scientific research, Longman examines the heritability of mental illness, citing studies on genetic variants and the impact of trauma. He also reflects on his strained relationship with his mother, who believes in a familial "curse," and finds solace in understanding his father's life beyond his illness. The book ultimately offers hope, suggesting that while genetics may predispose individuals to mental illness, they do not dictate one's destiny. Published by Hyperion Avenue (£25), *The Inherited Mind* is a compelling and accessible blend of personal narrative and scientific insight.
