This is a compelling and true testimony that provides profound personal and spiritual insight into the dark and painful world of bipolar disorder. It is a book about survival and offers hope that recovery is possible. It stresses the significance of finding and staying on the right medication, including why it is critical to get help immediately before the illness spirals out of control. It also addresses the emotional, financial, physical, and spiritual costs of living with mental illness, and the toll it takes on everyone involved. It speaks to the frustration, pain, and suffering of the caregivers, and helps them cope with the decline in the mental health of the person suffering, and stresses the importance of and the amazing power of prayer. It covers days when Pamela lost her will to live but somewhere deep down had a little fight left in her. It documents her amazing and courageous ability to rise above her dire circumstances to begin the long road to recovery. Hope and faith are echoed throughout the pages. It is a must read for anyone suffering with or affected by mental illness. | The Furnace of Affliction by Pamela K Shipp, Paperback | Indigo Chapters