Many Faces, One Voice
Secrets from The Anonymous People
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- $26.99
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- $26.99
Publisher Description
Many Faces, One Voice is a must-read companion book to the award-winning film The Anonymous People. Together with the film, this collection of insights, illuminated by vibrant faces and voices of recovery, takes the reader along a journey of individual growth and, potentially, to world change.
A vital record of the lives and testimony of brave people who have come out of the shadows of anonymity to fight stigma and discrimination—people who now publicly advocate for the 23 million Americans suffering with addiction. Their inspiring stories, told in intimate detail, are essential to understanding the success, the hope, and the power of recovery.
Bud Mikhitarian is an award-winning filmmaker and the producer of The Anonymous People film.
Greg Williams is the director of The Anonymous People.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Mikhitarian provides a thoughtful, empathetic look at the disease of substance addiction and the redemption of recovery in this tome, which follows his 2013 documentary on the same subject, The Anonymous People. Director Greg D. Williams and the author both in recovery themselves came up with the idea of compiling a book after having to edit one too many compelling stories out of the 88-minute film. In contrast to the traditional first-name-only policy of 12-step programs, many of those interviewed here give full names, including former Miss U.S.A. Tara Conner, former U.S. Congressman Jim Ramstad, and journalist Laurie Dhue. What they all share is a deep commitment to overcoming alcohol or drug dependency, and a fervent desire to help others do the same. The focus is not on scaring readers straight but on giving them a new sense of optimism while reducing the stigma attached to addiction. The book also traces the history of addiction and recovery, including anti-drug and alcohol legislation and the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. Both the film and book take their names from phrases common to AA. Since anonymity is a central tenet of AA and other 12-step programs, Mikhitarian discusses the paradox of balancing anonymity with advocacy. This book will offer hope to those recovering from substance abuse, as well as to family members and friends striving to understand the disease and help those suffering.
