Best New Non-Fiction Award Finalist

Hunting Concrete Lions

Hunting Concrete Lions

a memoir

A boy’s enchanted childhood in a coastal town on the Isle of Man – one of rabbit hunts, darkened church naves and lessons in ancient Viking heritage – is about to disappear forever.

Available now on:
Hunting Concrete Lions
Manann Publishing
Best New Non Fiction

A boy’s enchanted childhood in a coastal town on the Isle of Man – one of rabbit hunts, darkened church naves and lessons in ancient Viking heritage – is about to disappear forever. Boyhood dreams of football fame are ditched for drinking pints with the lads at the local pool hall; just the beginning of a descent into wretched self-destruction, smoking crack with homeless friends under London’s bridges, a volatile cocktail of drugs, bodybuilding and steroid use colliding with disastrous consequences. Anything and everything will eventually be employed to quell an insatiable appetite for self-loathing and denial.

Michael Cannan’s coming-of-age memoir, Hunting Concrete Lions, stands apart for its wry innocence, hilarity and unrelenting honesty. It is a portrait of childhood lost – fresh, vibrant and heartbreaking.

After leaving his beloved Isle of Man, Michael is squandering his life in a grim apartment on the outskirts of Auckland, New Zealand. A chance encounter with a supermodel will sweep him away to the sheer luxury of California; a stroke of good fortune that Michael promptly sets out to destroy with one sordid escapade after another across the Mexican border. Finally, facing the truth of his addictions and committed to enduring recovery, Michael finds himself running with a who’s who of Hollywood, only to be repulsed by the decadence and empty promises of fame and fortune.

Tragedy and comedy combine in this irresistible memoir, the destruction caused by drugs and alcohol outdone only by one man’s irrepressible will to live.

Award-Winning Author

Michael Cannan

Michael Cannan is an author, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Born on the Isle of Man, he received a BSc from the University of Derby and is a certified personal trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. A former celebrity fitness trainer he currently lives in San Diego, California.

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Hardcover

$5.98

Kindle

$4.50

Paperback

$4.98

Audiobook

Coming Soon

Reviews

J.D. Grayson
Amazon Reviewer
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This was my favorite memoir I have read in many years. Cannan's life is a story worth telling and his ability to bring his past into sharp focus with gifted writing kept me turning the pages with my nervous system on high alert. A gripping redemption story well-told by a gifted writer with something to say. This book gets my highest recommendation.
S Nicholson
Amazon Reviewer
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Such an honest and open book where you will laugh, cry and be extremely shocked! I literally couldn't put this book down and now I've finished it I want to read it all over again. Michael shows that anything is possible if you want it to happen and I have no doubt that this will help many others. He truly is an inspiration.
Leanne Meader
Amazon Reviewer
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I'm not really one for writing reviews but I think this book deserves one. It's a brilliantly written book, I couldn't put it down from start to finish. You can tell that Michael has put his heart into this book and it shows in the writing. It's a book that I could read over & over. If I could give 10 stars I would.
DD
Amazon Reviewer
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This really is the bravest, most open and honest book I have ever read. It made me laugh, cry, physically sob, sometimes cringe and then laugh again.
KikiB
Amazon Reviewer
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Extremely raw and honest ... The book is extremely well written and leaves no room for you to come up for air. Do not expect a skimmed over version of a downward spiral in to addiction. Be prepared to get angry, cry, laugh then and cry some more. Exceptional book.
Reviewer
Amazon Reviewer
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This is the most amazing book I've read in a very long time. I was totally hooked from the first chapter...and it just seemed to get better. The bottom line here was one of the authors deep down desire to live a full and balanced life. His own strength of character is coupled with acceptance that something had to change - and a wonderful sense of humour. It gives hope to all of us whatever our situations might look like. Fabulous - and I'd highly, highly recommend it.
J Burrows
Amazon Reviewer
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I was blown away by the honesty of Michaels writing. It must have been tough to pen such an open, frank and gritty read. It will at times make you feel uncomfortable, question your own life decisions and close calls. I can see this being an inspiration to individuals in the grip of the demons around them and give hope to their family and friends.
Max
Amazon Reviewer
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This book captured me immediately. It portrays the harsh reality of how and why ANYONE can get addicted to alcohol and drugs, especially people who you wouldn't expect to. It gives the harsh realities of the harm caused to people around the addict but also shows that there is a road to recovery. Every page had your attention.
Georgie22
Amazon Reviewer
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Wow. What a funny, heartbreaking, inspirational book about addiction, raw and honest. Very well written. I read it virtually non stop.
Miss A
Amazon Reviewer
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What an inspirational book. A page turner from beginning to end. Thank you for your honesty.
Helen Cowie
Amazon Reviewer
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I recently read Hunting Concrete Lions.. wow.. what a fantastic read. I literally could not put the book down. Very honest, very real. Well worth the read.
Ms Donna G Adamson
Amazon Reviewer
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Couldn't put this book down. Well written and a brave, honest and at times hilarious account of very difficult experiences. Would recommend to all.
Karl Robinson
Amazon Reviewer
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A great read - gripping from start to finish. Highly recommended for anyone who has struggled with addiction, or simply to find their own way in life. A brave, humerous and graphic account which shows how easy it is to make the wrong decisions in life, whilst demonstrating that the only person that can truly help you is yourself.
Clare Dutton
Amazon Reviewer
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A truly fascinating, honest and inspirational memoir! Both funny and heartbreaking. Loved it and struggled to put it down!
MR A J LLOYD DAVIES
Amazon Reviewer
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As a Manxman, I was attracted to the book cover and read the intro. Fully hooked this book was a two session masterpiece. A fantastic portrayal of a young man struggling with demons and his memoir is truly remarkable I recommend this to anyone with a heart.
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3-legs

The National Symbol of the Isle of Man

‘Quocunque Jeceris Stabit’ means ‘Whichever way you throw, it will stand.’

Sunday Independent

Book of the Week

I just devoured Hunting Concrete Lions, a memoir from Michael Cannan on addiction. It’s raw, honest and gives a great insight into how addictions can take over everything in their path. I read it cover-to-cover in record time, finding it impossible to put down. It’s hard to read in areas – you will be shocked, but you will also laugh and learn a lot from Michael’s bravery in sharing his truth.

- Alison Canavan, Sunday Independent
Hunting Concrete Lions Book Of The Week
Hunting Concrete Lions

Prologue

When I regained consciousness, I found myself lying flat on my back with a sizeable fluorescent light staring down at me from the ceiling.
Bloody painful that. The old eyelids would not stop blinking away against the glare.
Vaguely aware that I had been choosing my battles unwisely, I gave up the struggle and let my eyelids close.
Best to let the fog clear. Get my head around the current situation.

Ebook Sale - 100% Donated to Charity

Mental Health Awareness Week

100% of ebook sales will be donated to the Mental Health Foundation (May 10 – June 30).

10 - 16 May

2021

Location

United Kingdom

Michael Cannan Mental Illness Happy Hour
Guest Author Michael Cannan

The Mental Illness Happy Hour

with Paul Gilmartin

Paul Gilmartin is an American stand up comedian, podcast host and television personality best known as the longtime host of TBS’s Dinner and a Movie. Since 2011, he has been the host and executive producer of the podcast The Mental Illness Happy Hour.

The Mental Illness Happy Hour is a weekly online podcast that interviews comedians, artists, friends, and the occasional doctor. Each episode explores mental illness, trauma, addiction and negative thinking.

Strangely brilliant...a totally different book.

Amazon Reviewer
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