Hidden Valley Road

Unforgettable The Times

Grippingly told and brilliantly reported Mail on Sunday

Startlingly intimate Sunday Times

Fascinating Daily Mail

Groundbreaking Evening Standard

Exceptional and moving Spectator

Hidden Valley Road, written by the bestselling and award-winning author Robert Kolker, is a fascinating and heart-wrenching account of an American family whose narrative magnificently weaves together scientific intrigue, meticulous reporting, and profound humanity. The Galvin family, living the American dream in post-World War II Colorado, appeared to be the epitome of success and domestic bliss. However, behind closed doors, a different, darker story unfolded. Don and Mimi Galvin's twelve children represented the classic Baby Boomer generation, with their births spanning from 1945 to 1965. Despite adhering to the era's script of aspiration, hard work, and upward mobility, the Galvin household was plagued by psychological breakdowns, sudden bouts of violence, and hidden abuse. By the mid-1970s, six of the twelve Galvin children were diagnosed with schizophrenia, one after another. This shocking reality transformed the Galvin family into a crucial subject of study by the National Institutes of Mental Health. Their story is not just a family saga but also a shadow history of the understanding of schizophrenia—from the dark days of institutionalisation, the pursuit of lobotomy, and the controversial theory of the schizophrenogenic mother, to the modern search for genetic markers that could predict and treat the illness. Unbeknownst to many, the DNA samples from the Galvin family have critically informed decades of genetic research, pushing forward the boundaries of understanding schizophrenia and offering hope for future generations.” Hidden Valley Road is a tour de force of investigative journalism. Robert Kolker employs empathy, clear prose, and detailed analysis to uncover this story of suffering, love, and hope. His work not only captures the tragic struggles within the Galvin family but also offers revelations about the broader history of mental health treatment and the trauma individual families endure. "This book tore my heart out," praises a reader. "Hidden Valley Road is a revelation about the history of mental health treatment, about trauma, and foremost, about family—a more-than-worthy follow-up to Robert Kolker's brilliant work." -David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon One of the New York Times "20 most anticipated books of 2020", Hidden Valley Road is a must-read for anyone interested in the intricate dynamics of family life and the profound impact of mental illness on the human psyche. It is a poignant, deeply researched narrative that will leave you contemplating long after the final page.