Naomi is half of a very successful mother and daughter singing group. Her rise from poverty and struggles with raising two daughters on her own has been well documented. Once the spotlight faded however she suffered from severe depression. This book is hard to read but she is very honest about her disease. She writes about her struggle with her disease, the medical establishment and her difficult childhood. It is obvious she wrote this book in hopes of helping others. At the end of the book she does offer helpful advice. I found the book very easy to read and hard to put down. Whether you or someone you know is struggling with depression this book will inspire you.

Depression is a hard thing to talk about. But when you put a celebrity face to it, like Naomi has, then it sends a message that this can happen to anyone. On top of that, the author has met many challenges and overcome so much that she is an inspiration.

Quite a fascinating read of a dark and tumultuous time in singer Naomi Judd's life. It's a very honest portrayal of her struggle with mental illness and the affects of harbored abuse and pain on the (her) body. Still, there is hope.

Open and honest. Naomi shares her journey with depression. She offers candid stories and her way of dealing and asking for help. Sometimes these struggles happen alone. Good read.

A very moving and honest view on one of country music's greatest legends.

A mesmerizing read about one of country's best artists. Loved the personal and honest feel of this book.

Very interesting memoir of her terrible depression. Kudos to her that she came out, so other people can understand and empathize with this terrible problem. Hopefully she has turned the corner forever.

What’s it About? To many, Naomi Judd is a superstar, one half of the country duo The Judds but River of Time isn’t about her life as a celebrity. It is more of a documentary about her life with treatment resistant depression and anxiety and Ms. Judd doesn’t hold back at all.


River of Time painted a raw, honest picture of one woman’s struggle with depression and anxiety that I found completely relatable. I too suffer from depression, I was diagnosed with it at 14 and now at 32 am still struggling to cope, and find a treatment that works for me. I didn’t pick up this book because I was searching for an answer to my depression but rather to remember that I am not alone in dealing with depression. Naomi Judd knows what it feels like, she can describe the symptoms in vivid detail, and she was candid about how certain treatments affected her and in fact made things worse for her. Ms. Judd didn’t shy away from discussing her early traumas and abuse and how they shaped her as a person throughout her life.


What I found interesting was that Naomi has kept herself well informed about depression over the years. Not just from her personal experience but by reading the latest medical facts, yes I know she was an RN before her musical career took off but her dedication to learning as much as she can about depression is nothing short of admirable. The irony here is that while Ms. Judd is part of the medical community, that same community is painted in an unflattering light due to the way it handles the treatment of mental illnesses.


I felt like Ms. Judd truly wants to understand as much as she can about a mental illness that effects many people and carries a stigma that often keeps people from seeking help. Ms. Judd encourages people to seek help but also to not limit themselves to only “traditional” treatments. Sometimes it takes more than one treatment, sometimes a person has to keep trying different ones before they find one that works and that’s okay. Everyone’s depression is NOT the same as evidenced by her own treatment resistant depression. By the end of River of Time I felt like I had a champion in Naomi Judd, it sounds silly but depression can be very isolating and to know of someone who understands how you feel because they feel it too is a relief. It’s not a perfect book by far, there is an element of drama to it that I didn’t care for, but for the most part it was an eye opener.


Click It or Skip It? Click It. For me the raw honesty of Naomi Judd’s struggles in River of Time served as a reminder that depression isn’t something that can be treated with the same method, nor is it an illness that discriminates. I felt a little more hopeful that I too could fight and find a way to live a happy life.

I was thrilled to be selected to review this book. I am a fan of
The Judd's but I also have suffered depression and panic disorder for the last 30 years. I was amazed at how many things Naomi and I have in common. I was raised in a household where love wasn't demonstrated and things were always swept under the rug. I was so glad to see her honestly discuss the things in her life and why she thinks she fell into such a dark place. The main message is yes she struggles but she also overcomes. This is a great book if you are or have suffered but also maybe better yet a place where the people in your life might find what your going through and how they can help. This is a must read!!!!

What a wonderful insight into the life of Naomi Judd. Her struggle off stage is incredible when, as a fan, I have always enjoyed her enthusiasm on stage. She is an inspiration.