Yes, I've read the book. It is about Jamison's struggle with bipolar disorder. Personally, I didn't relate to her experience that much since Jamison writes a great deal about her episodes of mania that are only a rare occurence with my own manifestation of bipolar disorder, but it is an interesting read. Perhaps your brother sees your mother in those descriptions. I don't know that it made me "sympathize" with Jamison so much as understand more what goes on inside the mind of someone living with bipolar disorder. I think it could be read educationally.