Beneath the scholarly facade depicted in photographs was a troubled man entangled in a complex marriage, seeking solace through serial sexual and romantic affairs, perilous pastimes, and the pervasive culture of alcohol abuse. The ultimate truth surrounding Faulkner's final decline gradually emerges as this book examines previously undisclosed medical details such as patient records, administered medications, and financial statements. Interviews with close associates at the Leonard Wright Sanatorium, the sight of his unexpected death, provide further insights. This book reveals a culture ill-prepared to address mental health crises and identifies the habitual forces that led to the downfall of one of America's most celebrated literary figures.