The Inherited Mind: A Story of Family, Hope, and the Genetics of Mental Illness

by James Longman

Overview

A compelling memoir by ABC News correspondent James Longman in which he discusses mental illness and trauma in families, what the latest genetic science is telling us, and how to not only persevere but thrive.

James Longman was a preteen in boarding school when his dad, who was diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia, died by suicide. As he got older, James’s own bouts of depression spurred him to examine how his father’s mental health might have affected his own. He engaged with experts to uncover the science behind what is inherited, how much environmental factors can impact genetic traits, and how one can overcome a familial history of mental illness and trauma.

In The Inherited Mind, James Longman invites readers to reflect on their own stories as he shares his quest to better understand himself and his family. Through speaking to mental health experts, to those who have had similar familial experiences, and about his own life stories, James shows us, with heart and humor, how much our bodies can empower and inform us about our own personal mental health histories.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368099479
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/07/2025
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	28,601
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

James Longman is a foreign correspondent for ABC News. He has reported from over sixty countries, from the front lines of wars in Ukraine and Syria to the wilds of the Antarctic. He has won News Emmys for his reporting on the climate crisis and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and a David Bloom Award for his reporting on LGBTQ+ abuses in Chechnya. Longman was previously at the BBC, where he served as a Beirut correspondent. He started his career as a freelance journalist in Syria, where he reported undercover for British newspapers. Longman was born in West London and has a degree in Arabic from the School of Oriental and African Studies and a masters in comparative politics from the London School of Economics. He lives in London with his husband, Alex.

Editorial Reviews

James Longman trains his considerable journalistic skills on unravelling the mystery of what happened to his dad. It is an insightful tale of loss and love, and an eye-opening account of mental illness and a son’s quest to understand his past and himself.”
—Anderson Cooper

“The brilliant journalist James Longman has written a fearless and riveting book. It is the true story of his quest to open a lockbox of stunning family secrets—and what he unlocked is a thriller inside a mystery inside a love story. It is an inspiration for those who have ever asked, ‘Who am I? What can I become?’”
—Diane Sawyer

“Mental illness and suicide have a ripple effect on relatives that often goes unnoticed. The questions, the fear of history repeating itself, and the opportunity to practice preventive health are daily issues that can at once feel like a blessing and a curse. In The Inherited Mind, James Longman uses both his personal and professional voice to shine a light on a topic that is often shrouded in darkness.”   
—Dr. Jennifer Ashton

“Vivid, gripping, and deeply researched, Longman tells the story of his family tragedy with courage, sensitivity, and grace—the same qualities that make him an exceptional broadcast journalist.” 
—Clarissa Ward

“James Longman has a unique ability to bravely step into the throes of danger, trauma, and suffering . . . shining a light on the human condition around the globe as a foreign correspondent. Now, my friend and ABC News colleague is bravely turning that light on his own life, revealing deep and difficult truths about his family’s mental health history. I have long admired James’s gift for storytelling. I’m convinced that he will make others feel less alone and more hopeful with his raw honesty and revelations about how science can play a major role in breaking family cycles of pain. Bravo, James. This may be your most important assignment to date.”
—Deborah Roberts

“This book gifts anybody curious about how our minds are forged the language and courage to ask complex and often unsayable questions of the science and the people who shape us. It is a work of enduring importance.”
—Rob Rinder

“James is beautifully honest about his own personal struggles with mental health, but what truly left a mark for me was an important lesson for us all: No matter our life situation, diagnosis, or state of mind, everything changes when we begin to shift our focus from our limitations and how they may hinder us to their power as a valuable asset. To quote the journalist himself, ‘[People] want hope, not despair.’ His life story is the embodiment of this truth.”
—Antoni Porowski

From the Publisher

12/01/2024

For Longman, a foreign correspondent for ABC News, the relationship between mental illness, genetics, and environment is an important and personal question which he uses to explore the legacy of mental illness in his family. His father, an artist, had schizophrenia and ended his life when Longman was nine years old; Longman's mother was unstable throughout his adolescence. Growing up in this environment with a family history of depression and self-harm, Longman's own depression seemed inevitable, but he wanted to understand his father as a person and how others in his situation have coped. Intertwining the science of the genetic and epigenetic bases of depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia with personal stories of people with generational mental illness, this book is an empathetic, sensitive examination of the challenges and strength of individuals struggling with their mental health. Longman is self-deprecating about his scientific knowledge, which makes this accessible work read like a memoir, not a popular science book. VERDICT While the subject matter is difficult, the tone is enlightening and sympathetic. Suggest to readers interested in mental health and memoirs.—Margaret Heller

Library Journal