When clinical psychologist Tim Lewis was 28 years old, sitting in the living room of his parent’s home, his father shot his mother, Judy, while she was sleeping in Tim’s childhood bed. And then his father, Oscar, turned the gun on himself.
In his debut book, Dr. Lewis dives into his parent’s tragic end and tries to find the answer for the question his friends and family kept asking:
“How could this happen?”
The San Francisco Chronicle - Annie Vainshtein
“A thoughtful and expansive biography of PTSD.”
While the title refers to Tim’s father — pictured as a boy on the cover of the book — it also points to a triad of cultural forces that shape American life: war, masculinity, and psychology
Dr. Lewis’ brilliant writing and unique sensibilities take readers on a journey into his lifelong dedication to PTSD research and addressing his own trauma. But it also turns out to be the story of America.
Who’s in charge?
Oscar returned from WWII to get married, start a family, build a forever home, and fulfill the American dream. So,why did he take it all away?
We all know that hurt people hurt people, which is why central to Daddy is the question of personal responsibility in the cycle of abuse.
Was Oscar in control of his actions? The answers are not so simple.
About the author
Dr. Tim Lewis received his doctorate from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, California, in 2009. He is a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in San Francisco. Dr. Lewis also holds a B.A. in English and American literature from the University of Miami, Florida.
Having undergone a number of traumatic experiences in his own life, Dr. Lewis is particularly focused on issues related to men’s health and the treatment of trauma and PTSD. His personal and professional goal is to help people overcome these life-altering experiences so that they might develop purpose-driven, fulfilling lives. Dr. Lewis shares his life with his husband, Steve, their 11-year-old daughter, Gemma, and their cat of extraordinary character, Elsa. This is his first book.