Published in 2011, Solomon’s completely thorough treatment of the topic of depression sadly is still very current, as not much progress has been made since the book’s publication. Told in two distinct parts, the book is firstly a memoir of Solomon’s own painful experiences, drawing us into his world of despair and near madness. He is completely self-revelatory, both emotionally honest and candid about his actions, including suicidal motivated random sex intended to contract AIDS, and not have to leave a gruesome, obvious suicide for family and friends to find and bear. I have frankly never read such a raw, sincere effort to describe the interior world of depression, a shared story that serves to humanize the suffering, make it accessible to those who have not experienced it, and create a common bond with those who have, or presently do.

Solomon goes on to examine depression from every angle: the actual experience of depression, from initial breakdown, to the entire history of treatments of every sort, including alternative treatments; to how depression affects various populations, the role of addiction, the thought patterns and behaviors that is suicide; the vast history of philosophical, religious, and psychological thought on depression; factors of poverty and politics; theories regarding the evolution of mankind and depression; and finally, a gaze of hope looking to the future. The edition I read contained a lengthy addendum of what has happened since the original publication of this book. Calling this an atlas is interesting, as it does help you navigate all that is depression; but also, as Atlas was the rebel Titan punished by Zeus, forced to bear the weight of the heavens upon his shoulders, a correct metaphor for the illness. We meet many memorable people along the way, met by Solomon during his extensive research efforts and travels, characters who shed light on these various aspects of illness; people for whom their addictions, poverty, or suicidal struggles are a large part of the illness.

A more thorough treatment of depression you are unlikely to find anywhere else; but moreover, the compassion, emotional honesty, and intelligence lead you very personally into this world, gently forcing you to inhabit it as you read. It is no surprise that this book is used by psychology classes on undergraduate and graduate levels. I would want future practitioners to receive this sensitive level of introduction to the illness.

So is it an appropriate read for you? Considering the ubiquitous nature of the illness, it is more than likely that it will touch your life in some way. Considering the shame people still experience around this illness, it is very important that we all understand it better. Considering the failure of our mental health system to effectively address the treatment needs of this large population of people, we need to be better informed voters and advocates. Finally, on the level of literature, Solomon succeeds at writing, beautifully creating a lasting memoir of love and pain, deeply moving, deeply thoughtful essays on the why and how of this dreadful affliction. He takes you as close as you can get, and distills as best he can all that he has learned into a horribly beautiful rendering of the illness. Reason enough to take this reading trip, with Solomon’s expert atlas as guide.