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Bill Gibson wrote on February 28, 2010
I appreciate Dr. Judith Schlesinger's review. I think Monk was playing his version of mad genius to those watching. Recall Miles ranted racist comments about "whitey" to reporters while working closely and on good terms with white musicians and producers.
The review contains some errors about mental illness. One meaning of hypo is under, but it can also mean smaller or minor. Hypo-manics still can have manic periods, but they are typically of less severity. I know. Real mania can be very destructive to things and people and there's no good evidence of that in Monk's case. His musicians for example were extremely loyal. If he was manic, some would not have been able to stick around. If he was manic he probably would have quite music many times only to eventually return, but he never left it. The review says lithium WAS the drug of choice to treat mania. It still is the first choice for patients who do not have kidney problems. Finally, it is said mentally ill people are less likely to be violent. No. I have reviewed the statistics. Mentally ill people are no more or less likely to be violent except for those with schizophrenia who are slightly more likely to become violent if symptomatic and especially if using drugs like alcohol, cocaine or meth.
Some might think I'd wish Monk had been bi-polar. It makes no difference at all to appreciating his music.
