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Surviving the Fourth Cycle
Surviving the Fourth Cycle is a uniquely-told, true story about overcoming suicide, for anyone affected by the harsh realities of mental illness. Nathan Daniels rips his closet door off its hinges and the skeletons come rattling out through his intense writing. Read along as he picks through the bones, examining the powerful relationships and experiences that have led to both his struggle to function in society and his ability to persevere.
308 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
1281 people want to read
About the author
Nathan Daniels
11 books70 followersNathan Daniels is the author of, Surviving the Fourth Cycle, a non-fiction book about surviving child abuse, overcoming suicide, and living with mental illness.
He is a contributor to The Real SuperMum Blog, and a staff writer for The Good Men Project.
Also, a published poet, Daniels uses the written word to raise awareness for, and fight stigma related to, mental illness.
Homebound with Agoraphobia for years, this author also lives with Social Anxiety Disorder, Chronic PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder, and OCD.
Prone to insomnia and self-abuse as well, Nathan dedicates a large amount of his time researching psychological disorders and interacting with various, related communities and support groups.
Before publishing his memoir, Daniels held a variety of jobs in a wide range of industries. He was a Construction Worker, Kung-Fu Instructor, Truck Driver, Tattoo Artist, and Warehouse Manager.
An avid Bodybuilder and fan of Professional Wrestling, he was also a semi-finalist in the first season of the (then) W.W.F.’s reality show, Tough Enough, in 2000.
A proud family man, Nathan loves spending quality time with his six-year old son and girlfriend, of nine years. His hobbies include reading, drawing, painting murals, listening to music, and watching movies.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 16, 2012
Surviving the Fourth Cycle is my story.
A uniquely-told true story about overcoming suicide and learning to live with mental illness.
A uniquely-told true story about overcoming suicide and learning to live with mental illness.
November 14, 2012
This is a very well written account of life with serious mental illness. also an inspirational book about surviving many forms of abuse, death, and loss. Very entertaining, with lots of unexpected surprises. One of the best books of its kind.
November 15, 2012
Inspirational story
Quality writing
Entertaining and insightful
Quality writing
Entertaining and insightful
November 23, 2012
One of the most entertaining and eye-opening non-fiction books I've read.
The story (stories, really) is presented in a unique format, as promised on the back cover.
The journal entries are raw, but vivid, and force you to feel what it's like to suffer these very real afflictions. The first-person account is remarkably enlightening.
The intertwining chapters explore, with brutal honesty, a troubled life filld with abuse, death, isolation, and mental illness.
This book offers no answers or cures, but is insprational in it's underlying message of survivial.
There is also a very powerful love story, within these twisted pages, that I wasn't epecting to be so touched by.
One of the best aspects about this book is the wide range of content that you would normally have to read ten different books, from ten diffrent authors, to find. I don't want to give anything away, because I genuinely enjoyed being surprised on multiple occasions.
I would recommend this book to...
Anyone who suffers any form of mental illness.
Anyone who wants a better undertaning of living with mental illness.
Book lovers who enjoy well-told, real-life, inspirratioal stories with an edge.
The story (stories, really) is presented in a unique format, as promised on the back cover.
The journal entries are raw, but vivid, and force you to feel what it's like to suffer these very real afflictions. The first-person account is remarkably enlightening.
The intertwining chapters explore, with brutal honesty, a troubled life filld with abuse, death, isolation, and mental illness.
This book offers no answers or cures, but is insprational in it's underlying message of survivial.
There is also a very powerful love story, within these twisted pages, that I wasn't epecting to be so touched by.
One of the best aspects about this book is the wide range of content that you would normally have to read ten different books, from ten diffrent authors, to find. I don't want to give anything away, because I genuinely enjoyed being surprised on multiple occasions.
I would recommend this book to...
Anyone who suffers any form of mental illness.
Anyone who wants a better undertaning of living with mental illness.
Book lovers who enjoy well-told, real-life, inspirratioal stories with an edge.
November 18, 2012
One of the best auto-biographies I've ever read.
November 20, 2012
This book blew my mind. I have a whole new attitude about about people who have these kinds of issues
January 5, 2013
Amazing book, very well told. I couldn't put it down, definitely look forward to reading more from this author
November 18, 2012
Nathan Daniels is a great writer...He has the ability to take his feelings and put them on paper, and allows people into his life.. He is a fantastic author and the next big thing..
November 19, 2012
An excellent read!
November 20, 2012
A remarkable piece of work. Inspirational, thought-provoking. Yes... you should read it.
April 1, 2013
Surviving the Fourth Cycle by Nathan Daniels is an incredible, emotional, and inspiring look at one man's struggles with and triumph over mental illness. In it, Daniels offers himself fully to his readers, and in doing so, to himself, as he exposes the depths of his mind, his soul, his life.
To give a review in the traditional sense would be an insult to Mr. Daniels. A book review typically is an examination of the content of the book and/or the writing style of the author, and a book review often examines the strengths and weaknesses of both the book and the author. Surviving the Fourth Cycle, however, is more than a book. It's a raw and personal examination of a man's internal and external world. To analyze this book would diminish its purpose and be a slap in the face to the man who wrote it. Therefore, I cannot bring myself to do it.
I will say, though, that I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a very personal story and an account of how damaging life can be, what it's like to suffer so deeply, and how powerful the human mind and spirit and capacity for love are in transcending such deep struggles.
To give a review in the traditional sense would be an insult to Mr. Daniels. A book review typically is an examination of the content of the book and/or the writing style of the author, and a book review often examines the strengths and weaknesses of both the book and the author. Surviving the Fourth Cycle, however, is more than a book. It's a raw and personal examination of a man's internal and external world. To analyze this book would diminish its purpose and be a slap in the face to the man who wrote it. Therefore, I cannot bring myself to do it.
I will say, though, that I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a very personal story and an account of how damaging life can be, what it's like to suffer so deeply, and how powerful the human mind and spirit and capacity for love are in transcending such deep struggles.
February 5, 2013
One hell of a journey!
An incredibly original writing style, by a gifted writer, tells the story of a life riddled with tragedy and despair, but underlined with love and hope.
A really great book for it's entertainmaint value, (seriously... you go from reading about a poor boy's experience being molested by his sister, bullied by his father, and losing his loving mother, to training with shaolin monks, getting in a wrestling ring, staying in a famous haunted house, and falling in love.
I think this is a rather important book too, as it will surely raise much awareness to what it's really like to be crippled by severe mental illness.
I laughed. I cried. And I was haunted and inspired long after I finished reading it.
An incredibly original writing style, by a gifted writer, tells the story of a life riddled with tragedy and despair, but underlined with love and hope.
A really great book for it's entertainmaint value, (seriously... you go from reading about a poor boy's experience being molested by his sister, bullied by his father, and losing his loving mother, to training with shaolin monks, getting in a wrestling ring, staying in a famous haunted house, and falling in love.
I think this is a rather important book too, as it will surely raise much awareness to what it's really like to be crippled by severe mental illness.
I laughed. I cried. And I was haunted and inspired long after I finished reading it.
February 8, 2013
I have absolutely never read a book that made me experience such a wide range of powerful and intense emotions like this before.
Two chapters were hard to read through the tears, and there were also unexpected times when I found myself laughing.
Very interesting, extremely gripping, and truly inspirational. Read about this brave soul overcoming suicide, and embrace your own life with a whole new vigor.
Two chapters were hard to read through the tears, and there were also unexpected times when I found myself laughing.
Very interesting, extremely gripping, and truly inspirational. Read about this brave soul overcoming suicide, and embrace your own life with a whole new vigor.
November 13, 2012
This was absolutely one of the most original, well-written, emotional, and entertaining books I've ever read. An inspirational journey by a tortured soul. This is one of a few books that I know I will read a second time.
November 15, 2012
Super real and vivid depiction of life with severe psychological disorders. Weaving journal entries, chapters, and poems together... brilliant.
November 25, 2012
great book
July 19, 2013
An extremely honest and intimate story of mental illness- from hitting rock bottom to reaching survival and acceptance.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had any contact or concern about any one with a mental illness.
It's a very emotional and educational read. Nathan seems to "cycle" about every five years. I hope to read another book in five years of how well he is doing. Good luck and much success, Nathan !
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had any contact or concern about any one with a mental illness.
It's a very emotional and educational read. Nathan seems to "cycle" about every five years. I hope to read another book in five years of how well he is doing. Good luck and much success, Nathan !
December 13, 2013
I wanted to like this book. It was very personal and eye opening, especially in the first half of the book. Also, the reviews put it at above 4 stars... It would have been improved a lot by some skilled editing. The last 1/4 of the book was pretty repetitive for me.
I admire the author's courage in writing this autobiography.
I admire the author's courage in writing this autobiography.
August 28, 2014
Repetitive and hypocritical. And most obviously published without being proofread.
April 20, 2013
An intimate read, as the author pulls you into his mind through his well-chosen words on every satisfying page. Seriously one of the most powerful, entertaining, and important books I've ever read... in spite of a few minor typos. Actually, inspired me to write my first review here. Is the term, "must-read," cliche'?
It certainly fits this book!
It certainly fits this book!
December 16, 2013
One of the best books about overcoming suicidal thoughts and living with intense psychological disorders, I've ever read. Very well-written, original, and nearly impossible to put down. I highly recommend to everyone.
May 17, 2015
4.5
I found this to be an interesting read. I didn't like the way it was written but somethings said in here especially about surviving and being honest with oneself is very inspirational. worth a read.
I found this to be an interesting read. I didn't like the way it was written but somethings said in here especially about surviving and being honest with oneself is very inspirational. worth a read.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews