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From the Inside
The Menninger Foundation is a clinic, sanatorium, and psychiatric school founded in 1919. Known as a beacon of health and reform, there have also been long-running rumors of controversy, abuse, and manipulation. Legendary Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland sought treatment there, and still today, many celebrities secretly spend time there.
John Henry Timmis IV, the son of a wealthy family from Chicago's northern suburbs, was diagnosed a psychopath after a string of rebellious misdemeanors as a teenager--possession of marijuana, prostitution, and theft. Timmis frequented the Menninger Clinic between the ages of 15 and 17. He repeatedly ran away and got recaptured, was held in solitary for extended periods, and forced to endure excruciatingly dull group therapy sessions. He recounts these experiences with adolescent braggadocio, blurring intensely personal confessions and exaggerated fantasies, in hopes of mythologizing himself and claiming a spot in the canon of rebellious youth.
Later in life, as JTIV, Timmis recorded sincere autobiographical songs in a style he deemed -Destructo-Rock, - and was acknowledged in The Guinness Book of World Records for creating the longest film ever made, The Cure for Insomnia. He passed away in 2002, leaving us his songs, the film, and this document to piece together his wild and bizarre story.
John Henry Timmis IV, the son of a wealthy family from Chicago's northern suburbs, was diagnosed a psychopath after a string of rebellious misdemeanors as a teenager--possession of marijuana, prostitution, and theft. Timmis frequented the Menninger Clinic between the ages of 15 and 17. He repeatedly ran away and got recaptured, was held in solitary for extended periods, and forced to endure excruciatingly dull group therapy sessions. He recounts these experiences with adolescent braggadocio, blurring intensely personal confessions and exaggerated fantasies, in hopes of mythologizing himself and claiming a spot in the canon of rebellious youth.
Later in life, as JTIV, Timmis recorded sincere autobiographical songs in a style he deemed -Destructo-Rock, - and was acknowledged in The Guinness Book of World Records for creating the longest film ever made, The Cure for Insomnia. He passed away in 2002, leaving us his songs, the film, and this document to piece together his wild and bizarre story.
164 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2025
This book tells the true story of a troubled teenage boy in the 1970s. J.T. IV does a brilliant job of keeping his harrowing life story lighthearted by enlisting humor. Most of the time, I forgot that I was reading an autobiography. J.T. IV is great at storytelling. If you haven’t already, go listen to his music, especially the songs mentioned in the book!
April 9, 2018
Read this book. Read it out loud and sing the lyrical parts. Read it to a friend or lover, they'll either love or hate you but you'll have shared quite the experience. This book is insane.
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January 15, 2022I'm glad there is still some mystery in the world - I have no reason not to believe everything in this book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews