Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction

David Sheff

Jan 2009 · Sold by HarperCollins

About this ebook

#1 New York Times bestseller
 
With a new afterword

Now a Major Motion Picture
Starring Steve Carell * Timothée Chalamet * Maura Tierney * and Amy Ryan

 “A brilliant, harrowing, heartbreaking, fascinating story, full of beautiful moments and hard-won wisdom. This book will save a lot of lives and heal a lot of hearts.” — Anne Lamott

“‘When one of us tells the truth, he makes it easier for all of us to open our hearts to our own pain and that of others.’ That’s ultimately what Beautiful Boy is about: truth and healing.” — Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia
 
What had happened to my beautiful boy? To our family? What did I do wrong? Those are the wrenching questions that haunted David Sheff’s journey through his son Nic’s addiction to drugs and tentative steps toward recovery. Before Nic became addicted to crystal meth, he was a charming boy, joyous and funny, a varsity athlete and honor student adored by his two younger siblings. After meth, he was a trembling wraith who lied, stole, and lived on the streets. David Sheff traces the first warning signs: the denial, the three a.m. phone calls—is it Nic? the police? the hospital? His preoccupation with Nic became an addiction in itself. But as a journalist, he instinctively researched every treatment that might save his son. And he refused to give up on Nic.
 
“Filled with compelling anecdotes and important insights . . . An eye-opening memoir.” — Washington Post

Ratings and reviews

What about the people who don’t have a rich dad they can go home too. Or have the genes to write great things. What about than

This book is very inspiring it's an easy read and u feel like you can relate to his story! I read tweek first which is by his son. Loved both books

This book felt like it had me in a choke hold and yet I could not stop reading. I am stunned and scared and sad, but more informed and ready to raise my boys in a world where meth and other temptations exist. Thank you for sharing your story. I will be sure to read Nic's book.

About the author

DAVID SHEFF is the author of several books, including the #1 New York Times best-selling memoir Beautiful Boy. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Playboy, Wired, and many other publications. His ongoing research and reporting on the science of addiction earned him a place on Time magazine's list of the World's Most Influential People. Sheff and his family live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit David at DavidSheff.com, and on Twitter @david_sheff.