28 Seconds: A True Story of Addiction, Tragedy, and Hope

by Michael Bryant

An addiction memoir that reads like pulp fiction.  A night that began with a dinner to celebrate his twelfth wedding anniversary ended in a jail cell for Michael Bryant. He was charged with dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing the death of cyclist Darcy Sheppard. Ironically, he had helped write the legal test for the same charges sixteen years earlier, while clerking at the Supreme Court of Canada.
 
Bryant, as Ontario's youngest-ever Attorney General, was the man responsible for administering 500,000 criminal charges every year in that province. He now faced prosecution by the same justice system. The charges were eventually dropped, but nothing could undo what had happened to Sheppard--or Bryant.
 
In 28 Seconds, Bryant chronicles the fateful aftermath of that late-summer evening in August 2009. He looks at the realities of the adversarial court system and a prison system filled with addicts and the mentally ill, speaking publicly, for the first time, of his own battle with alcoholism, and his life in recovery.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

First published August 21, 2012

Reviews

[Bill Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's more than one book between these covers and these different accounts are aimed at different audiences. All of which makes saying anything coherent about it very difficult. Just as Michael Bryant is a man of many parts, different things shine forth in different contexts. There is the political memoir, because he was a politician. There is the legal policy brief, because he is a bit of a policy wonk and he was Ontario's attorney-general. There is also the very personal autobiography that serves as the main axis of the book, the centre of balance of which is the 28 seconds of his encounter with Darcy Allan Sheppard. I just finished reading this book, and I'm still turning these different perspectives over in my mind. It was a quick read, and the authour's style is quick and punchy. If I haven't come to any firm conclusions it's probably because the authour himself is candid about how overwhelming that chance encounter was and how painful its consequences have been. A good book, worth reading.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a lot of memoirs, from a lot of clean and sober addicts. This shows a perspective and insight that is uncommon. A gripping, gripping read. Anyone can identify with being "falsely accused" of something, legally or otherwise. Michael Bryant doesn't tell his story alone, he tells the story of his families hardship from being part of a front-page-story, the tragic life and loss of Darcy Sheppard and the dysfunction of a legal, mental health and criminal justice system from a rare birds-eye-view.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Bryant talks about the power police have when deciding to charge. Great insight. Especially as the ex AG. It was honest and heartfelt. A terrible experience that had to be shared. Police media and the public can all gain from this read.

[Amy Rhoda Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The event of August 31 2009 that 28 Seconds centres on was an event I was very much aware of at the time, both personally and politically. Michael Bryant had been my provincial representative in the riding of St Paul's, and a friend of mine worked for him when he was Attorney General. So it was shocking to hear that he had been involved in a bike/car crash in which the cyclist had died.

The personal connection was the only thing that prevented me from jumping to the same conclusion that most of Toronto jumped to: that this was a rich, entitled white guy in an expensive convertible running over a cyclist out of carelessness or anger.

The truth is much more complex and layered and interesting. Bryant unfolds it here with humility and grace, explaining and exploring the nuances, coincidences, and consequences.

The most interesting takeaway for me was Bryant's perspective of the criminal justice system from the inside, a perspective most former Attorney Generals never get. This book, written in 2012, contributes a different kind of fuel to the fire under the movement to defund the police. Bryant is palpably frustrated with the police's focus on conviction over evidence, and he writes about his now-ex-wife's lasting fear and contempt of police. And these are well-connected, affluent white people.

This is the second memoir I've read by someone, not in my personal circles but just one or two connections away. I don't know if there's any more to say about that other than I'm lucky to be part of a world where people I know write memoirs and get them published. I'm so nosy and curious about people that a book-length memoir is really the only thing that will satisfy me.

[Robert Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently I have started reading more true stories as I find there are so many interesting stories out there.

Growing up in and around Ottawa, the names and events in this book are familiar to me and I remember when this story first hit the news.

The story and it's impact on the people involved is profound. I agree with the author's suggestion that police should not be able to lay certain classes of charges, instead they should have to seek approval from a prosecutor based upon the evidence.

The most important message anyone can take away from this book is, in the author's words, addiction is to the criminal justice system what smoking is to lung cancer. The meaning and impact of that statement really needs to be absorbed and acted upon by society as a whole. We need to stop dealing with addiction on the back-end of the legal system and shift our thoughts and actions to the front-end where the most positive impact can be made.

The other unavoidable and troubling message in the book is that Michael Bryant could just as easily be you on any given day.

You won't be disappointed by this book, I highly recommend it.

[Kathy Crawford · Rating 1 out of 5]

A terrible book, written by a terrible person. Self-serving nonsense and white-washing of the events of the night he got away with murder. If you're dying to read it, get it from the library and don't give this reprehensible fool a dime of your money.

[NEON8L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never take for granted your freedom. Never trust those you might assume to be most trustworthy (in this case police).

[Isabell · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a piece of shit. He has blood on his hand, karma is waiting.

[Surreysmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been curious about those 28 seconds on Bloor Street, the ones where former Attorney General Michael Bryant's life changed and cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard lost his, ever since the incident was reported on the evening news. Like many people, I formed an instant opinion of what "probably" happened, and that opinion shifted this way and that based on the small pieces of information that came trickling out. And though it was a good thing for Bryant that the full presentation of evidence never happened in an open courtroom (just a preliminary hearing) because the charges were dropped, that does mean that curiosity about "the real truth" has lingered on.

So, of course, since this is Bryant's book, the question you have to ask as you read each page is, "Do I believe this version of events?" And, by and large, I do, though certainly I recognize he's putting the best spin possible on his own actions - and let's not forget he's a lawyer, so he's very accomplished at spin.

So was it road rage? More like panic, by the sound of it. Did he get better treatment from the courts because of who he was? Possibly, although he also points out that he was charged far sooner than normal in process because the authorities were bending over backwards to avoid that very perception.

The chapters about his alcoholism were painful to read, because he is so honest about his self-deceptive habits and I hope very much (a) that he was in fact several years sober when the incident occurred, as he asserts, and (b) that he still has that under control despite the failure of his marriage and the passing of his brother. I'm glad I read it - at least I now know what the various parties believe to be true.

[Paula · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. I had followed the story closely as it unfolded and expected more than just a retelling of events from Bryant's perspective. As an Ontario resident I was quite familiar with Bryant as a politician.

In the book, I learned nothing of the man Bryant, which is what I expected and wanted. Who he was as a person, other than a politician, before during and after the incident is not explored.

I felt the book was "managed" to give us the least amount of personal information possible in case Bryant decides to enter politics again.

I expected a more open exploration of Bryant's addiction and emotional compass in general. Other than to say he was an alcoholic and went to meetings, not much further is said about his addiction. What the impact of the "28 seconds" had on his addiction is not explored, so I found it misleading to include it in the title. His family breakdown and how his family really coped after the event is also not dealt with in any detail. He was a zombie, his kids were kept in the dark and his wife went to work the next day is about all we learn.

I found this book really just a factual retelling of the events versus an emotional telling and I am not even sure it was completely truthful. I recall reading about how a prestigious PR firm was hired to "manage" the situation and press after the event and yet this is not even alluded to in the book? Why not?

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

I always believe Bryant was innocent of any charges relating to the "28 Seconds" and, after reading his book, I think he was railroaded. Was there someone who wanted to "get" him? What if there hadn't been a history of attacks by Darcy Sheppherd?

However, the book is just too much "me, me, me" and, yes, I know it's an autobiography. I think he is someone I wouldn't like in person. However, he is very talented and I look forward to seeing what areas he moves into in the future.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are familiar with a twelve step program, you may like this book. It is written from a twelve step point of view. Mr. Bryant does a good job of revealing some flaws in the justice system. He also makes the point that a great deal of people end up in the criminal system when they should be in the health system using examples of addiction and mental health issues. I found it quick read.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Bryant tells the story of the "28 seconds" when his life changed dramatically. He describes in detail the events leading up to the car acccient when Darcy Allan Sheppard lost his life. This book is not only about the accident but it is a story of his life. Whether you are admired or despised him the book is quite well writeen with surprising candor on his part.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lawyer and having an interest in politics, I very much enjoyed the book. I have always held Bryant's "newfound" perspective on the criminal justice system and its epidemic infection with crimes arising drugs, especially alcohol.

[Barb Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the insight into Bryant's political life in the beginning of the book very interesting and on the whole the book was better than I expected it to be. It changed my opinion about both Bryant and Darcy Shephard, both formulated from media accounts of this tragedy.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former AG Michael Bryant well-articulates the power of the police & the damage their immediate uninformed decisions can cause. I support his mention of Ontario benefiting from the justice partners, with the police' input, deciding on whether or not to lay charges.

[Lynnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read his side of the story as he was really pillaried for his actions

[Hella Comat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of former Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant, who made the headlines in 2009 when he was involved in the death of a cyclist in Toronto. I gave it 4 stars!

[Tanya Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought a lot and I'm still thinking, still processing. This was a book that impacted me.

[Rena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and autobiography!! Very inspiring. An important story to read.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book. Interesting take on addiction.

[copyeditcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page-turner. The final few pages are the best: Bryant offers his views on justice system reform and finally shows readers how he's changed from his experiences.