Note to Self

Manic Episodes and the Dark Side draws the reader in with an autobiographical sketch of a misspent youth, then plunges into the terror of bipolar illness. Rich Patton travels the rocky road from the darkness of seemingly hopeless depression to the frightening experiences of manic psychosis.

Following the sometimes humorous, but more often tragic, thirty-four years of the author?s experiences with psychiatric wards, a state mental hospital, arrests, criminal incarcerations and trials, broken marriages and suicide attempts, the reader will be heartened to find there is hope.

Those who struggle with this illness?either personally or with a loved one?will benefit from learning how the author has successfully coped and achieved in spite of his illness. Included in this book are Six Pathways to the Light?a guide for surviving the darkest hours, including the embrace of a spiritual life.

Even though Keith Richardson and his wife, Francesca, own a shop that specializes in angels, and Keith has written the definitive books on America's best-known angel artist, Andy Lakey, Richardson was beyond surprised and to say the least skeptical when, during a guided meditation, a fully formed spirit guide appeared to him and began to speak. The story unfolds. The spirit guide called himself Chang (a Chinese title for "Emperor," as it turns out.) Chang is currently spirit guide to seventeen people, several of whom make an appearance in this book--most notably, James Van Praagh.

As Richardson is guided by Chang, he learns many important life lessons and receives information about the past lives he and his wife share along with several of their current acquaintances. Richardson's quest eventually brings him to the Qing Tombs outside Beijing where Chang offers him a life-changing message that leads him and Francesca to recognize the meaning of true love and forgiveness.

This moving and inspiring story has chapters on reincarnation and how it works, plus information on karma and universal laws, i.e. abundance, forgiveness, attraction.

A fast and fascinating read! This is a book in the tradition of best-selling New Age titles such as The Celestine Prophecy or Mutant Message Down Under, or Shirley MacLaine's groundbreaking Out on a Limb.

* A true story of love and reincarnation, forgiveness and karma, with wide mass appeal.

Jerry Feldman is the former CEO of the nation's largest taxi fleets. He has published two other books, Aunt Bea and Up Your Meter. Marlene is an accomplished sculptress, artist, and tennis player.