TurkofAmerica, August 2006 

Sel Erder Yackley, originally from Istanbul, has written a fast-paced, easy-to-read memoir, giving hope to people who have had tragedies in life.  Now living in Chicago, Mrs. Yackley lectures on mental health issues, is active in international organizations and organizes educational tours to Turkey.    

Turkish Digest, May 2006

Turkish-born, U.S-educated Sel Yackley has added another feat to her long list of accomplishments. Affectionately known as “Mama Turk” in Chicago for her nurturing nature, Mrs. Yackley has written an excellent book that educates, informs and comforts the reader. Turks are anxious to have it translated and published in Turkey.

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This book is a sobering testament to the effects of Bipolar Disorder on an entire family.  I recommend it to anyone who would like to know more about this potentially devastating illness and its social manifestations.

 --Burgess Wilson, M.D, Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center

I was so moved by the book that I recommended to many nurses here at the hospital to read it.

--Janet Cahill, R.N., Director, Professional Practice and Development at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

I admire your courage to write this book, share your most intimate thoughts and feelings and provide the layperson an informed account of this disorder.  You have performed a great service that no professional mental health provider could---a look at the legacy of this mental disease and suicide. I applaud your book.

 --John R. Morella, Ph.D., author of .A Guide for Effective Psychotherapy.

I was very much impressed with Sel’s writing. Her journalistic background shines through.  She frames the story well, keeps the narrative moving, and includes various kinds of anecdotes. I really think it will help people who face comparable situations.

 --Stephen Kinzer, author Overthrow: America’s Century of Regime Change from Hawaii to Iraq

Congratulations on writing such a compelling and important book.

I think it should be made into a movie. I applaud your courage and that of your children for allowing such a holistic understanding to emerge.  You have made a tremendous contribution to understanding the world of a family with a bipolar member.  Bless you for expressing the sentiment, “Never Regret the Pain.”  We take from life what comes our way and retain in our souls the positive sunshine as fuel for our life journey.

--Barb Argumedo Ph.D., Educational Change Agent

Your book is such an inspiration.  You have shown great courage. You have honored Frank and your entire family by telling your powerful story.  So many will be helped. 
--Karen Combs, Wichita, Kansas

Spent the greater part of last evening racing through your book, weeping copiously at times.  A remarkable story, by a remarkable woman!  The book is terrific and will help many, many people.

---Virginia Bolen, Attorney-at-Law, formerly of San Francisco

Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. The cover, the quotes at the beginning of each chapter, mention of those we knew in Ottawa all tie in to make it truly an inspiring book. It is bringing out so many different emotions.

 --Billy Staff, retired teacher, Carbondale, Illinois