The Thousand Mile Stare: One Family's Journey through the Struggle and Science of Alzheimer's

by Gary Reiswig

When most members of the Reiswig family reach their 40s, something in their demeanor changes. A normally responsible father assigns a dangerous farm chore to a much-too-young son. A vigilant grandfather drives in front of an oncoming train. And they all develop the thousand mile stare a wistful, blank gaze off into the distance, as though they are trying to find the missing pieces of themselves. A compelling and beautifully written personal account of one family s quest to beat this most dreaded disease. Each family member afflicted or not has to find their own way to meet this challenge.

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 2010

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerfully moving and extraordinary story told with a courageous heart.--Lisa Genova

[Laura Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's not a bad book. I just read enough of it.

[Corby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the scientific emphases are now quite a bit out of date, and it's hard to square some of the political names fawned over with their legacy 30 years hence, but the familial and genealogical sections were fascinating. Would have liked a bit more chronological order to the stories to keep the various family members straight, but it was a quick read, which helped. A strong narrative, but wavered between 3 and 4 on this one.

[AnnaMay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick one-day read, but very informative. I think I have a clearer understanding of early-onset vs. late-onset Alzheimer's and which genes cause which. I had been under the impression that the early-onset kind CAN be genetic but isn't always and that the kind my mother has isn't genetic. Now I understand it's not quite that clear-cut. There have been new genes identified that link other kinds of early-onset AD. There have also been new genes identified that mark you for a 50-50 probability in the late-onset kind. The late-onset AD is very much more susceptible to our lifestyle and health, while the early kind isn't discriminating that way.

I liked the lay-out. Each chapter began with a brief (1-2 par.) explanation of a medical concept relating to Alzheimer's (in italics), then continued with a story from this family's experience with the disease.

The story of this family the book spotlights is really a tragic one and I'm glad for the help they've been in AD research. Bravo for their involvement and I cringe to think of what the future holds for them. What a black cloud to have over your shoulders constantly, like a time-bomb.

Reading this made me realize how glad I am that sedative drugs are used in Alzheimer's care today (in the advanced stages.) When they didn't employ those helps, the victims and their families went through so much more physical pain and emotional pain. It was terrible to read of and reminded me of scenes with my mom when sedatives weren't working. It would be so much more dangerous to the victim and the caregiver to let things take their course without a calming pill for the victim. I'm sad for the sufferers in the early and mid-20th century who had to face that horrific reality.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't explain how much this book touched me. I check the library every six months or so for new books on dementia. I was perusing the Alzheimer's section when I saw this book. It was propped on display staring me right in the face. The title stabbed me like a knife to the gut. Several past and present family members have had that look. I first noticed it in my own father when I was 20 years old. He was 50. Later I learned his fist Alzheimer's diagnosis occurred when he was 47. When my dad had his second diagnosis, we learned that it was a rare form of Frontal Temporal Dementia. This book has kicked my butt into gear. I want to face this disease head on. Gary Reiswig and his family are a inspiration to me.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonfiction book whose author was from a family that carried a gene causing most of them to get early onset Alzhiemer's. The author was haunted throuhout much of this live by the possibility that he too had the defected gene, but he found out late in his life that he did not carry it. In the meantime he watched his father, brother, sister, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins die from the disease. Gary Reiswig's family was eventually studied by scientists who found the mutated gene and traced it back to the German Russians (Gary's family actually lived in western Oaklahoma) and from Russia to Frankford, Germany.

[Jill Kalz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially drawn to "The Thousand Mile Stare" because my own family has been touched by early-onset Alzheimer's, the disease that has haunted Gary Reiswig's family for generations. While the writing itself is loose and repetitive at times, the sincerity with which the author writes is not. I appreciate the honesty. Each chapter opens with a scientific passage, one that helps explain the technical/medical side of Alzheimer's -- a device that works well. If you're brand-new to early on-set Alzheimer's and are curious about the disease, this book may be a good introduction for you.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

couldn't put it down. it's sort of a detective story, figuring out that the oddities of the family were actually due to early-onset, genetic alzheimer's. the one woman who married into the family, who insisted something was wrong, and was not liked by most of the family, is the true hero of this story. the author was spared the gene, but carries on advocating for research and help, the second hero of the story. very well written.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engrossing--and real--account of one family's affliction with Alzheimer's Disease. Heartbreaking and poignant, it will make you count your blessings.