This book is not available to purchase on Fable
3.5
Gentle on My Mind: In Sickness and in Health with Glen Campbell
ByPublisher Description
The page-turning, never-before-told story of Kim Campbell's roller-coaster thirty-four-year marriage to music legend Glen Campbell, including how Kim helped Glen finally conquer his addictions only to face their greatest challenge when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Kim Campbell was a fresh-faced twenty-two-year-old dancer at Radio City Music Hall when a friend introduced her to Glen Campbell, the chart-topping, Grammy-winning, Oscar-nominated entertainer. The two performers from small Southern towns quickly fell in love, a bond that produced a thirty-four-year marriage and three children. In Gentle on My Mind , Kim tells the complete, no-holds-barred story of their relationship, recounting the highest of highs—award shows, acclaimed performances, the birth of their children, encounters with Mick Fleetwood, Waylon Jennings, Alan Jackson, Alice Cooper, Jane Seymour, and others—and the lowest of lows, including battles with alcohol and drug addiction and, finally, Glen’s diagnosis, decline, and death from Alzheimer's. With extraordinary candor, astonishing bravery, and a lively sense of humor, Kim reveals the whole truth of life with an entertainment giant and of caring for and loving him amid the extraordinary challenge of Alzheimer's disease. This is a remarkable account of enduring love, quiet strength, and never-faltering faith.
Download the free Fable app
Stay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.
Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building tool
Rate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tags
Curate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesStay organized
Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.Build a better TBR
Swipe, skip, and save with our smart list-building toolRate and review
Share your take with other readers with half stars, emojis, and tagsCurate your feed
Meet readers like you in the Fable For You feed, designed to build bookish communitiesGentle on My Mind: In Sickness and in Health with Glen Campbell Reviews
3.5
“Gentle on my Mind by Kim Campbell is a 2020 Thomas Nelson publication.
I was never a huge fan of country music and sometimes I marvel at why Glen Campbell was labeled in this category- but nevertheless, I really liked most of his music. I did not rush out to get a copy of this book when it was published four years ago, and it wasn’t until I saw a random article a few weeks ago about Kim and this book that I decided to check it out.
I went into this without the slightest bit of a preconceived notion. I didn’t know a thing about Kim and didn’t notice that the publisher was Thomas Nelson- a faith-based imprint. Kim is a Christian and speaks openly and often about her faith. For me, I was back and forth about her spiritual health as some things she talks about do not mesh with what the Bible says and a passage about a religious game she played with other celebrities in Arizona raised my eyebrows- so by the time we got to the eighty percent mark, when she finally dropped the names of a few uber-wealthy television ministries associated with a prosperity gospel- I knew she was still more childlike in her spiritual maturity. But, at least- as far as I know- she’s never abandoned her faith- which is good.
Kim does a good job with the writing, organization, and presentation of the book. I don’t know if I really got an essence of who she is deep down as everything here is tied to Glen and her marriage. Occasionally she comes off as a long-suffering saint refusing to give up no matter what the personal cost… which was emotional and psychological abuse whenever Glen went through one of his relapses.
The tone she sets is one where she seems desperate to prove that she wasn’t in it for the fame and fortune. Once she finally realized this was no fairytale and Glen was no prince charming- instead of waving the white flag she dug in and did the work to make the marriage work. It wasn’t all bad- there were long periods of normalcy, peace, and sobriety, too.
But Kim’s dedication and faith was truly tested when Glen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. I admire her willingness to care for him on her own, without care facilities – for a long while. I understand she wanted to educate people on the realities of the disease, but I wish she had stopped Glen’s journey as he walked off the stage for the last time- after a poignant, triumphant and inspirational farewell tour.
Instead, she detailed the multiple losses of his faculties, both mental and physical, stripping him of his dignity to some degree, I thought. I’m just glad I’m not rich or famous because I wouldn’t want my family members to tell the entire world how often I wet the bed or didn’t make it to the bathroom.
That said, I’m convinced that while the marriage was rocky- it was legit. There was love- and devotion despite the darkness that often overshadowed the good times. I hated to hear of the legal woes and infighting in the family over Glen’s estate. I think caring for Glen during his illness was a drain on their finances and the estate suffered as a result- so I’m not sure if there was all that much to quarrel over in the end and some people got involved in matters that simply were none of their business.
Overall, while I suspect Kim's faith was only surface deep, and it seemed she was in her head a lot due to the bubble of fame she lived in for over thirty years, I did admire her attitude, her fortitude, and hope now that her legal and money troubles are ironed out and that she can now bask in the good memories she shared with Glen and help promote his musical legacy that has meant so much to so many people.
3 stars”
“I wanted to like this book. I am not a Glen Campbell fan. I am roughly the same age as his children with Kim. I picked up this book thinking it might be interesting, as I knew that Glen had lived with Alzheimer's for several years.
I will say that I liked this book. Like everyone else, I think Kim is a good writer. She describes parts of their lives very well and I feel like I got a good picture of Glen and of their marriage. However, parts of it made me pause. While I appreciate that staying in the marriage for all those years, despite what Glen put her through, was her choice, I do wonder if there were any "motives" behind it. Very early in the books she said that she wanted to marry a Millionaire. Well, she got one that insisted on sex on the first date, then ditched her for three months to run back to his ex. I understand "love at first sight" in the romantic sense but, was there a reason she took him back so easily? They barely discussed it (in my opinion). So, was it the money and the fame or was it that Glen was the love of her life after one date?
I am left to wonder. I hang onto the books that I like, in case I want to read them again. I will not be hanging onto this one. A decent read but it was a one time for me.”
Start a Book Club
Start a public or private book club with this book on the Fable app today!FAQ
Why can’t I buy this ebook on Fable?
Can I start a book club with this book on Fable?
Are book clubs free to join on Fable?
