Here, Jean Langenheim presents her odyssey as a woman field scientist, who crossed boundaries of botany, geology, and chemistry in doing ecological studies. The book includes almost two hundred photographs and maps and uses a unique timeline as context for her story in relation to relevant historical events, significant changes in the status of women, and milestones in ecology from the 1920s to the present. Her research spans five continents and ranges from arctic-alpine to tropical environments. It includes many adventures (such as a forced plane landing in Amazonia and working in the midst of a coup d��tat in Colombia) and interactions with diverse cultures, from Alaska Eskimo to Ghanain family life. She tells the story of a rich life of learning and discovery, through difficult and good times, which she has shared with her husband and later with her students, colleagues, and many friends many around the world.


INITIAL REVIEW STATEMENTS

�Anyone who reads this rich and wonderfully interesting memoir will be inspired by what Jean Langenheim has accomplished scientifically and personally during her long and distinguished career at the interface of multiple scientific fields. This is more than a personal memoir by a leading scientist. It is a deeply insightful reflection on how major scientific disciplines have developed over the past half century and how the culture of scientific research itself has changed.� John Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Santa Cruz (quoted in UCSC press release http://press.ucsc.edu/text.asp?pid=3771 )

�The title of this �good read� is truly apropos---it is an odyssey of the mind as well as life of a self-confessed �adventurous woman,� someone always open to the next chapter in an ever-changing life, lived during a period of significant social and technological changes. There�s a solid dose of real scientific research and discovery, tempered by the author�s vivid descriptions of her travels, of the wonders of the natural world, and of the cultures she encounters in some amazing places she finds herself. Provocatively, you may recognize and view elements of your own life in ways you never thought about before. Susan Martin, retired researcher US Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University.

�I liked very much your life metaphor about weaving threads in your life tapestry. It was delightful to read how those threads were constructed and woven. Your life has been very rich, impacting and inspiring many people with your thoughts and action.� Francisco Espinosa-Garcia, Professor, National University of Mexico Center for Ecosystem Research, Morelia, Mexico.

Here, Jean Langenheim presents her odyssey as a woman field scientist, who crossed boundaries of botany, geology, and chemistry in doing ecological studies. The book includes almost two hundred photographs and maps and uses a unique timeline as context for her story in relation to relevant historical events, significant changes in the status of women, and milestones in ecology from the 1920s to the present. Her research spans five continents and ranges from arctic-alpine to tropical environments. It includes many adventures (such as a forced plane landing in Amazonia and working in the midst of a coup d��tat in Colombia) and interactions with diverse cultures, from Alaska Eskimo to Ghanain family life. She tells the story of a rich life of learning and discovery, through difficult and good times, which she has shared with her husband and later with her students, colleagues, and many friends many around the world.


INITIAL REVIEW STATEMENTS

�Anyone who reads this rich and wonderfully interesting memoir will be inspired by what Jean Langenheim has accomplished scientifically and personally during her long and distinguished career at the interface of multiple scientific fields. This is more than a personal memoir by a leading scientist. It is a deeply insightful reflection on how major scientific disciplines have developed over the past half century and how the culture of scientific research itself has changed.� John Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Santa Cruz (quoted in UCSC press release http://press.ucsc.edu/text.asp?pid=3771 )

�The title of this �good read� is truly apropos---it is an odyssey of the mind as well as life of a self-confessed �adventurous woman,� someone always open to the next chapter in an ever-changing life, lived during a period of significant social and technological changes. There�s a solid dose of real scientific research and discovery, tempered by the author�s vivid descriptions of her travels, of the wonders of the natural world, and of the cultures she encounters in some amazing places she finds herself. Provocatively, you may recognize and view elements of your own life in ways you never thought about before. Susan Martin, retired researcher US Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University.

�I liked very much your life metaphor about weaving threads in your life tapestry. It was delightful to read how those threads were constructed and woven. Your life has been very rich, impacting and inspiring many people with your thoughts and action.� Francisco Espinosa-Garcia, Professor, National University of Mexico Center for Ecosystem Research, Morelia, Mexico.

Here, Jean Langenheim presents her odyssey as a woman field scientist, who crossed boundaries of botany, geology, and chemistry in doing ecological studies. The book includes almost two hundred photographs and maps and uses a unique timeline as context for her story in relation to relevant historical events, significant changes in the status of women, and milestones in ecology from the 1920s to the present. Her research spans five continents and ranges from arctic-alpine to tropical environments. It includes many adventures (such as a forced plane landing in Amazonia and working in the midst of a coup d��tat in Colombia) and interactions with diverse cultures, from Alaska Eskimo to Ghanain family life. She tells the story of a rich life of learning and discovery, through difficult and good times, which she has shared with her husband and later with her students, colleagues, and many friends many around the world.


INITIAL REVIEW STATEMENTS

�Anyone who reads this rich and wonderfully interesting memoir will be inspired by what Jean Langenheim has accomplished scientifically and personally during her long and distinguished career at the interface of multiple scientific fields. This is more than a personal memoir by a leading scientist. It is a deeply insightful reflection on how major scientific disciplines have developed over the past half century and how the culture of scientific research itself has changed.� John Thompson, Distinguished Professor of Ecology and Evolution, University of California, Santa Cruz (quoted in UCSC press release http://press.ucsc.edu/text.asp?pid=3771 )

�The title of this �good read� is truly apropos---it is an odyssey of the mind as well as life of a self-confessed �adventurous woman,� someone always open to the next chapter in an ever-changing life, lived during a period of significant social and technological changes. There�s a solid dose of real scientific research and discovery, tempered by the author�s vivid descriptions of her travels, of the wonders of the natural world, and of the cultures she encounters in some amazing places she finds herself. Provocatively, you may recognize and view elements of your own life in ways you never thought about before. Susan Martin, retired researcher US Department of Agriculture, Colorado State University.

�I liked very much your life metaphor about weaving threads in your life tapestry. It was delightful to read how those threads were constructed and woven. Your life has been very rich, impacting and inspiring many people with your thoughts and action.� Francisco Espinosa-Garcia, Professor, National University of Mexico Center for Ecosystem Research, Morelia, Mexico.

In third grade I started hearing voices, seeing people chasing me, feeling paranoid, confused, and delusional. I can’t remember before third grade, but it is likely that I have had schizoaffective disorder all my life. I was afraid to tell anyone about my issues because I was afraid that the voices would kill me. There were two main voices: the blue and the red. They sometimes just mimicked me, or made me feel guilty about being bad, but they were the most dangerous when they commanded me to kill other people or myself.

I found refuge from the voices by cutting myself to see the blood. This is a habit that has been almost impossible for me to stop. In the seventh grade I threatened my friends and teachers by writing anonymous threat notes. I eventually got caught and I was sent to a psychiatrist by the school. This was my first trip to a psychiatrist and I was eleven years old. I hated it. I cursed at her and wouldn’t cooperate. I never went back.

When I was twelve my family moved to Seattle, Washington. I thought I would be able to start over with my life and escape all my pain. Unfortunately, the voices and fears followed me. I was in eighth grade and I started hanging with a bad crowd. I used drugs and had sex. The voices were telling me I was a bad person, so I acted like a bad person. I almost got kicked out of school.

I hit rock bottom on December 5, 1997. I attempted suicide. No one had any idea how much pain I was in and this really surprised them. My parents went into shock. My school counselor who had been helping had no idea that I was so severely ill.

I told the doctors about the voices and the visions, but I couldn’t admit to being paranoid because I was so sure that my delusions were real. The doctors tried to help me, but nothing helped. I was in the hospital for most of my senior year of high school. Finally I turned eighteen and I was sent to the adult medical center instead of the children’s hospital and I was told that I would never be able to graduate college or live on my own. This did not stop me though, it inspired me.

My family found a hospital for me in Massachusetts and I moved to Boston into an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center where I got to see a specialist in child psychotic disorders. She found a medicine that my doctors in Seattle had not thought of trying and it was like a miracle drug.

Soon I was out of the hospital and I was back in school, part-time at Brandeis University. My whole family moved to Weston, MA and my little brother started high school there. My older brother went to college in Western MA. Although I was happy to be back in school, I was having a lot of side effects from the medications and I had a hard time concentrating. Brandeis did not have a lot of experience dealing with people with mental illness, or at least I don’t think they did because I felt very alone there.

At Brandeis I was majoring in creative writing. After two years I transferred to Simmons College and I am a nursing major. I can’t wait to get my R.N. and help patients. My family is moving into Boston soon. My life is going great. I have had a lot of physical setbacks—heart problems, diabetes, seizures, hypothyroid, congenital adrenal hyperoplasia, stomach issues, and most recently gallstones. Still, my schizoaffective disorder has been the hardest thing to manage.

I hope this book will help some families that are dealing with mental illness. It shows that kids can make it through psychosis. It also helps families understand what psychosis is really like.

In third grade I started hearing voices, seeing people chasing me, feeling paranoid, confused, and delusional. I can’t remember before third grade, but it is likely that I have had schizoaffective disorder all my life. I was afraid to tell anyone about my issues because I was afraid that the voices would kill me. There were two main voices: the blue and the red. They sometimes just mimicked me, or made me feel guilty about being bad, but they were the most dangerous when they commanded me to kill other people or myself.

I found refuge from the voices by cutting myself to see the blood. This is a habit that has been almost impossible for me to stop. In the seventh grade I threatened my friends and teachers by writing anonymous threat notes. I eventually got caught and I was sent to a psychiatrist by the school. This was my first trip to a psychiatrist and I was eleven years old. I hated it. I cursed at her and wouldn’t cooperate. I never went back.

When I was twelve my family moved to Seattle, Washington. I thought I would be able to start over with my life and escape all my pain. Unfortunately, the voices and fears followed me. I was in eighth grade and I started hanging with a bad crowd. I used drugs and had sex. The voices were telling me I was a bad person, so I acted like a bad person. I almost got kicked out of school.

I hit rock bottom on December 5, 1997. I attempted suicide. No one had any idea how much pain I was in and this really surprised them. My parents went into shock. My school counselor who had been helping had no idea that I was so severely ill.

I told the doctors about the voices and the visions, but I couldn’t admit to being paranoid because I was so sure that my delusions were real. The doctors tried to help me, but nothing helped. I was in the hospital for most of my senior year of high school. Finally I turned eighteen and I was sent to the adult medical center instead of the children’s hospital and I was told that I would never be able to graduate college or live on my own. This did not stop me though, it inspired me.

My family found a hospital for me in Massachusetts and I moved to Boston into an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center where I got to see a specialist in child psychotic disorders. She found a medicine that my doctors in Seattle had not thought of trying and it was like a miracle drug.

Soon I was out of the hospital and I was back in school, part-time at Brandeis University. My whole family moved to Weston, MA and my little brother started high school there. My older brother went to college in Western MA. Although I was happy to be back in school, I was having a lot of side effects from the medications and I had a hard time concentrating. Brandeis did not have a lot of experience dealing with people with mental illness, or at least I don’t think they did because I felt very alone there.

At Brandeis I was majoring in creative writing. After two years I transferred to Simmons College and I am a nursing major. I can’t wait to get my R.N. and help patients. My family is moving into Boston soon. My life is going great. I have had a lot of physical setbacks—heart problems, diabetes, seizures, hypothyroid, congenital adrenal hyperoplasia, stomach issues, and most recently gallstones. Still, my schizoaffective disorder has been the hardest thing to manage.

I hope this book will help some families that are dealing with mental illness. It shows that kids can make it through psychosis. It also helps families understand what psychosis is really like.

In third grade I started hearing voices, seeing people chasing me, feeling paranoid, confused, and delusional. I can’t remember before third grade, but it is likely that I have had schizoaffective disorder all my life. I was afraid to tell anyone about my issues because I was afraid that the voices would kill me. There were two main voices: the blue and the red. They sometimes just mimicked me, or made me feel guilty about being bad, but they were the most dangerous when they commanded me to kill other people or myself.

I found refuge from the voices by cutting myself to see the blood. This is a habit that has been almost impossible for me to stop. In the seventh grade I threatened my friends and teachers by writing anonymous threat notes. I eventually got caught and I was sent to a psychiatrist by the school. This was my first trip to a psychiatrist and I was eleven years old. I hated it. I cursed at her and wouldn’t cooperate. I never went back.

When I was twelve my family moved to Seattle, Washington. I thought I would be able to start over with my life and escape all my pain. Unfortunately, the voices and fears followed me. I was in eighth grade and I started hanging with a bad crowd. I used drugs and had sex. The voices were telling me I was a bad person, so I acted like a bad person. I almost got kicked out of school.

I hit rock bottom on December 5, 1997. I attempted suicide. No one had any idea how much pain I was in and this really surprised them. My parents went into shock. My school counselor who had been helping had no idea that I was so severely ill.

I told the doctors about the voices and the visions, but I couldn’t admit to being paranoid because I was so sure that my delusions were real. The doctors tried to help me, but nothing helped. I was in the hospital for most of my senior year of high school. Finally I turned eighteen and I was sent to the adult medical center instead of the children’s hospital and I was told that I would never be able to graduate college or live on my own. This did not stop me though, it inspired me.

My family found a hospital for me in Massachusetts and I moved to Boston into an Adolescent Residential Treatment Center where I got to see a specialist in child psychotic disorders. She found a medicine that my doctors in Seattle had not thought of trying and it was like a miracle drug.

Soon I was out of the hospital and I was back in school, part-time at Brandeis University. My whole family moved to Weston, MA and my little brother started high school there. My older brother went to college in Western MA. Although I was happy to be back in school, I was having a lot of side effects from the medications and I had a hard time concentrating. Brandeis did not have a lot of experience dealing with people with mental illness, or at least I don’t think they did because I felt very alone there.

At Brandeis I was majoring in creative writing. After two years I transferred to Simmons College and I am a nursing major. I can’t wait to get my R.N. and help patients. My family is moving into Boston soon. My life is going great. I have had a lot of physical setbacks—heart problems, diabetes, seizures, hypothyroid, congenital adrenal hyperoplasia, stomach issues, and most recently gallstones. Still, my schizoaffective disorder has been the hardest thing to manage.

I hope this book will help some families that are dealing with mental illness. It shows that kids can make it through psychosis. It also helps families understand what psychosis is really like.

Alton tells the story of a male survivor of sexual abuse standing up and telling his story. He journeys through mental illness, drug addiction, homelessness and prostitution with such stark honesty that you often wonder how the child survived. He lives as an enemy in the house of his father. His passive-aggressive mother chooses bad over worse, suffers through her own memories of repetitive rape and abandoned dreams. Crawling Out of My Skin is a brutal book traveling about the country from Seattle, Washington to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, visiting several small towns in Oklahoma and Eastern Washington, chasing the golden dream of growing up, illustrating the boredom and degradation of living on the streets, begging, or hustling for money to get loaded enough to sleep through the night after choking down food from dumpsters.