This is the story of one of the most gifted, charismatic and successful young literary agents in New York and his catastrophic fall into full-blown crack addiction: a collapse that would cost him his business, his home, many of his friends and - very nearly - his life. An utterly compulsive narrative of extraordinary frankness, we are led through the grimiest back-rooms of Manhattan's underbelly, through scenes of blank-eyed sex and squalor, into the febrile paranoia of a mind gone out of control. The story is intercut with ...
Read More
This is the story of one of the most gifted, charismatic and successful young literary agents in New York and his catastrophic fall into full-blown crack addiction: a collapse that would cost him his business, his home, many of his friends and - very nearly - his life. An utterly compulsive narrative of extraordinary frankness, we are led through the grimiest back-rooms of Manhattan's underbelly, through scenes of blank-eyed sex and squalor, into the febrile paranoia of a mind gone out of control. The story is intercut with terrifying flashbacks to his childhood, where a secret physical condition triggers shame, psychological abuse, and the beginnings of his hidden life and addictive personality. This is not a book about a literary agent, or publishing, or New York - nor is it a book about recovery and redemption - it is a completely compelling, brilliantly written account of how a dynamic young middle-class professional can find himself finally exposed as a helpless addict, de-railed and alone, living for months on a steady diet of crack cocaine and vodka. Written with great literary skill and originality, this is a memoir of disarming honesty and huge emotional power, but it is also, at its heart, a manifest of pure terror.
Read Less
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man to cart. $1.22, good condition, Sold by Zoom Books Company rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lynden, WA, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Book is in good condition and may include underlining highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $1.87, good condition, Sold by Gulf Coast Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Memphis, TN, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Little, Brown and Company.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $1.90, good condition, Sold by Once Upon A Time Books rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Tontitown, AR, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Little, Brown and Company.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $2.19, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $2.19, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Dallas rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $2.19, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $2.19, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $2.43, very good condition, Sold by Redux Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Wyoming, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Back Bay Books.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very Good. Very good hardcover in dust jacket. Dust jacket shows light wear and smudging. Pages are clean and unmarked. Binding is tight, hinges strong.; 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed! Ships same or next business day!
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man to cart. $2.69, good condition, Sold by Blue Vase Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Interlochen, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Back Bay Books.
Add this copy of Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man: a Memoir to cart. $3.28, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Austell, GA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Little Brown and Company.
I commend Bill Clegg for giving an honest portrayal of his childhood and living with his addictions, no made-up drama, just the real story.
Linda C
Jul 8, 2010
Excellent story of addiction and recovery
This book was excellent, not unlike "Broken" by Moyers, and it tells the same story of an addict (an intelligent, well-educated man with a great job and friends) who abandoned everything (a number of times, even after treatment) because of crack. I have been straight and sober now for 30 years, but have "been there". If you want a great, authentic read as well as a better understanding of addiction, this is the book for you.
