The Art of Being Broken - by Kevin Hines (Paperback)

About the Book

"A moving and heroic memoir about surviving suicide and long-term mental health complications, while summoning the courage required to persist in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and spread a message of positivity. Lost in the depths of a devastating depression, Kevin Hines did the unthinkable and jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only four to ever have survived that jump with his full health and mobility intact. Hines then went on to accomplish what had formerly seemed impossible: he has dedicated his life to suicide prevention, reaching audiences well into the millions. With the help of his wife and family, he has spread his message of compassion and fighting to "be here tomorrow" on Good Morning America, the Today show, Larry King, and BuzzFeed, as well as countless other in-person speaking venues. Going far beyond his first book, The Art of Being Broken takes full advantage of the perspective Kevin has gained since his suicide attempt. In this new story, we learn that recovery is not a straight path but a constant journey, and often the best way to help ourselves stay grounded is by helping others in need. Including raw and moving contributions from those whose lives Kevin has saved, The Art of Being Broken will be indispensable for all those who are grappling with suicidal ideation and provides key insights to their loved ones.

Book Synopsis

A moving and heroic memoir about surviving suicide and long-term mental health complications, while summoning the courage required to persist in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and spread a message of positivity.

Lost in the depths of a devastating depression, Kevin Hines did the unthinkable and jumped from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only four to ever have survived that jump with his full health and mobility intact. Hines then went on to accomplish what had formerly seemed impossible: he has dedicated his life to suicide prevention, reaching audiences well into the millions. With the help of his wife and family, he has spread his message of compassion and fighting to "be here tomorrow" on Good Morning America, the Today show, Larry King, and BuzzFeed, as well as countless other in-person speaking venues.

Going far beyond his first book, The Art of Being Broken takes full advantage of the perspective Kevin has gained since his suicide attempt. In this new story, we learn that recovery is not a straight path but a constant journey, and often the best way to help ourselves stay grounded is by helping others in need. Including raw and moving contributions from those whose lives Kevin has saved, The Art of Being Broken will be indispensable for all those who are grappling with suicidal ideation and provides key insights to their loved ones.

Review Quotes

"The Art of Being Broken takes us on a moving journey of struggle and strife to success, hope, and pure love of existence. Kevin Hines shares a vulnerable, harrowing, and powerful story of survival, triumph over adversity, and practical steps on how to survive pain and keep moving forward. It's a guide to readers on how to fight to always be here tomorrow because we need you here."--Justin Baldoni, Producer, Writer, and Director and Founder of Wayfarer Studios

"The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives is a powerful and deeply impactful look into the darkness that surrounds what Kevin Hines calls brain pain, a.k.a. mental illness. In this book, Kevin breaks down his story from the time his last book, Cracked Not Broken, ended until now. It remains a harrowing journey of true triumph over adversity. Kevin declares that he is not healed or cured, but remains in recovery and now utilizes transcendental meditation and other techniques he describes in the book to help keep him on an even keel. This book is meant for anyone going through pain right now, and reading it will surely help them find hope, healing, and overall wellbeing."--Bob Roth, CEO of The David Lynch Foundation

"I met Kevin Hines when he was just a young man, not too long after his fateful leap off the Golden Gate Bridge. At the time, he was still finding himself, learning just who he was, what his survival meant and how he could use that knowledge to help others who might face the same impulse. Twenty years later, Kevin has evolved into one of the most forceful speakers and written on the subject of mental health. Still struggling with his own demons he nonetheless is on the front lines of his generation and others, coaching his coping mechanisms on how to survive a life that is not always kind. His latest book, The Art of Being Broken: How Storytelling Saves Lives, is merely the latest step that Kevin has made to show us all that striving this complex thing called life doesn't mean that you're perfect, only that you're willing to show up for at eight every single bloody day. Bravo, Kevin!"--John M Glionna, Former Bureau Chief of The Los Angeles Times

"My friend Kevin Hines has written a book that he is uniquely qualified to write. The Art of Being Broken is his true-life tale of searching the darkness to find the light, and it provides remarkable lessons for all of us. His personal story is harrowing, but the lessons are profound, including the techniques that ultimately helped him deal with his own suicidal thinking and ideation. To know Kevin is to know his motto: #BeHereTomorrow. It is at once both simple and powerful. There is no better messenger than Kevin Hines to inspire us to do just that."--Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent, CNN

"Thirty years ago, no one was speaking publicly about surviving a suicide attempt. We only heard about the deaths. And, as a result, people struggling did so alone, fearing that literally no one else was experiencing the same heartbreaking pain as them. Kevin Hines' courage has been spreading and the impact is evident in the recovery journeys told in this book. It's the Papageno Effect: healing, hope, and help get through and the power of sharing and caring is transformative!"--David W. Covington, LPC, MBA, CEO and President