This is a heartwrenching memoir that doesn't hold back punches. The perspective here is raw and true, making it a compulsive read that is hard to put down. If you like memoirs; this is a great one to read. There aren't a lot of memoirs about DID and Steven shares his life story with us in such a way the reader can feel all of his pain, shame, worry, and unawareness of his actions.

Thank you to Netgalley and Steven for sharing this story. It is available now!

Memoir of A Mangled Mind by Steven Simmonds Shelton is a raw and harrowing account of a man’s battle with multiple personalities, triggered by childhood trauma. At just sixteen, Steve’s life is upended by blackouts, eventually revealing that he has dissociative identity disorder. His alters, born from the abuse he endured, lead him into crime and moral turmoil, all while he hides the truth from everyone—including his colleagues at a prestigious law firm. Shelton’s memoir is an unflinching exploration of survival, shame, and the complexities of mental health. It’s a powerful, thought-provoking narrative of a man’s struggle for redemption amid personal chaos.

Steve's memoir is a powerful and moving story about overcoming trauma. He bravely shares his painful experiences with bullying, a difficult family, and assault. While the book is tough to read at times, it's also captivating and inspiring. It shows how Steve found the strength to heal and build a successful life. This is a valuable and insightful read for anyone interested in mental health and resilience. I received a copy of this book for review purposes.

Memoir of a Mangled Mind is a brutally honest account of a man's struggle for survival through a lifetime of trauma, accompanied by two alters, originally as Multiple Personality Disorder and later Dissociative Identity Disorder.

This book moved in three distinct parts to me, all of which kept the story engaging and moving forwards, while learning a unique perspective from someone with DID. The first part of phase goes through childhood, jumping around as we piece together the traumas of Steve's younger years and his growing understanding of his blackouts and what MPD is.

The second we enter Steve's adolescence where the traumas continue, interwoven with topical moments from his teen years. And finally there's the years where he takes a brutal look at his life, realises running isn't working, and takes a massive learning curve which finally includes engaging a psychiatrist who can help him.

During all of these phases, life and prospects become increasingly dire as Steve's alters become more desperate. It's raw and hard to read and I got out of it exactly what I'd hoped for in engaging with such a story: empathy and compassion for a situation far out of my scope of worldview. I am so grateful to Steve for telling his story, particularly the later parts which got ROUGH, and allowing others to empathise, understand, and hopefully find comfort and recognition in their own mental illness battles.

This book is POWERFUL. The author really captivated me with his raw honesty and intense storytelling. This memoir is an unforgettable exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complexities of living with Dissociative Identity Disorder.

The way Shelton unpacks his story is immaculate. I loved every moment. He vividly paints every moment, from the terrifying blackouts and the emergence of his alters to the high-stakes life he built as an attorney while hiding his condition. The balance of deeply personal revelations with the tension of a psychological thriller made this a gripping read.

The pacing is fantastic—fluid and engaging, even when tackling heavy and emotional topics. I found myself immersed in Shelton’s journey, unable to stop reading. It’s equal parts heartbreaking and hopeful, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.

If you’re looking for an authentic, powerful memoir that doesn’t shy away from the tough things, this one is a must-read.

*Memoir of a Mangled Mind* by Steven Simmons Shelton, MA, JD is a visceral dive into mental health, identity, and what it’s like to be human. Shelton's writing is candid and raw, a blend of short-story like moments and a revealing look at human nature..

The author doesn’t shy away from the darker, messier aspects of mental illness, but there’s a sense of light-at-the-end of the tunnel. It’s not a typical "inspirational" memoir, but a more genuine look at how difficult things can be … or often terrifying. I think that readers may appreciate the author candor.

This book is a journey. The author teases out reality from within a web of mental health issues. If you can read through the darkness this is so worth it.

This memoir is not for the faint of heart. While I am not in any kind of medical field, I’ve heard that Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple Personality Disorder, can be caused by trauma when very young. The author speaks of multiple occurrences of molestation and rape throughout his life. He switches from younger childhood memories back to his teenage and adult years that correlate with one another. I agree with his overall message of telling the story of his life to encourage others that may be struggling with different kinds of mental illness to hopefully make smarter decisions and find treatment sooner than he did. However, I really did struggle to get through this one because of so much heartache and hurt that occurs to Steven. If you are battling with past traumas such as sexual or domestic abuse, I unfortunately advise not to read. You are not alone and you matter.

Memoir of a Mangled Mind by Steven Simmons Shelton, MA, JD is one of the most heart-wrenching and courageous memoirs I have encountered. If someone asked me what the most emotionally impactful book I read this year was, I wouldn’t hesitate to name this one.

Shelton's recounting of his journey through life with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) is raw and unflinchingly honest, exposing a lifetime of unimaginable abuse, neglect, and survival. From the outset, the narrative plunges readers into the harsh realities of a child enduring years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse—realities so harrowing they are difficult to process. Yet, through this chaos, Shelton masterfully illustrates how these experiences fractured his sense of self and shaped his disorder.

What sets this memoir apart is its unrelenting self-awareness. Shelton doesn't absolve himself of the consequences of his actions as an adult, but he also doesn’t shy away from exposing the catastrophic failures of the adults in his life who were supposed to protect him. From parents who ignored glaring signs of abuse to a mental health system ill-equipped to support someone like him, the memoir reveals a haunting picture of a child lost in a world of indifference and neglect.

Shelton’s storytelling is both vivid and accessible, giving readers a window into the fragmented, tumultuous experience of living with DID. The "other personalities" he describes feel less like fictional constructs and more like manifestations of the survival mechanisms that allowed him to endure years of suffering. The moments of blackouts, self-sabotage, and piecing together events as though solving a mystery highlight just how disorienting and exhausting this disorder can be.

Though incredibly difficult to read, Memoir of a Mangled Mind is essential for anyone seeking to understand the lasting impact of childhood trauma and the intricacies of DID. Shelton’s bravery in reliving and sharing his story is remarkable, and the memoir stands as a testament to resilience and the ongoing pursuit of healing.

I would highly recommend this book to readers with an interest in psychology, mental health, or trauma—especially those who want to better recognize the signs of abuse and advocate for those who cannot yet advocate for themselves. However, a strong content warning must be issued: this book is not for the faint of heart. It is emotionally intense, deeply upsetting, and, ultimately, an invaluable contribution to the literature on mental illness and survival.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this advance copy. My review is offered freely and with gratitude for Shelton's openness and courage.

I have subtracted one star from what my rating would have been for the killing of a dog.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an honest review.

This was an intriguing memoir. Many terrible things happened to the author starting when he was very young. It was also very interesting to hear how his DID presented. The book kept me hooked.

However, the writing was a little weak and repetitive at points. There were also a handful of glaring typos. I personally didn’t like the storytelling gimmick he used, talking to himself after anything happened. It felt unnecessary and took me out of the emotions I might have been feeling. There were a lot of really heavy things that were discussed in the book, and I am glad to know that the author is now in a better place, however I would have liked to have seen more of that. The ending felt very rushed. I want to know more about how he was able to work on himself and his DID.