NONFICTION - April 3, 1994

ON THE EDGE OF DARKNESS: Conversations about Conquering Depression by Kathy Cronkite (Doubleday: $22; 352 pp.) Of all possible illnesses depression may be the most misunderstood. In spite of a recent public education campaign, there is still an attitude among many people that a clinically depressed individual is simply someone who’s not trying hard enough. Kathy Cronkite’s passionate, informative book, “On the Edge of Darkness,” manages to dispel the myths surrounding depression without ever seeming didactic. The format--each chapter revisits the same group of people talking about a different aspect of depression--is truly innovative. There’s sections on depression and its effects on children, the elderly, career and family.

Unfortunately, some readers may have to forgive a little since Cronkite has chosen to illuminate depression mainly through conversations with celebrities who have experienced it. Rod Steiger, Joan Rivers, Kitty Dukakis and Mike Wallace all speak at length about their illness. One wonders if Cronkite feels that “normal” people’s Angst isn’t as book-worthy, or maybe this is her way of showing us that celebrities actually have problems too. Stop the presses!

An essential area Cronkite doesn’t explore is economic. The poor and uninsured. Prohibitively expensive medication. Availability of care. A few tips on navigating the system might save someone a lot of pain. In any case, if you or anyone you know is suffering from depression, don’t allow a proletarian snit to keep you from reading this important book.