High On Arrival

By: Mackenzie Phillips

Narrated by: Mackenzie Phillips

Mackenzie Phillips shares “a raw glimpse” (Entertainment Weekly) into her lifelong battle with personal demons and near-fatal addictions—and reveals the shattering truth behind her complex, secretive, and damaging history with her father, the legendary John Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas.

Not long before her fiftieth birthday, Mackenzie Phillips made headlines with her arrest for drug possession at Los Angeles International Airport; the actor-musician-mother had been on her way to a reunion of One Day at a Time, the hugely popular ’70s sitcom on which she once starred as the lovable rebel Julie Cooper.

Born into rock-and-roll royalty, flying in Learjets to the Virgin Islands at five, making pot brownies with Donovan at eleven, Mackenzie grew up in an all-access kingdom of hippie freedom and heroin cool. As a rising Hollywood star herself, she joined the nonstop party in the hedonistic pleasure dome of her father’s making, and a rapt TV audience watched as Julie Cooper wasted away before their eyes. By the time Mackenzie discovered how deep and dark her father’s trip was going, it was too late.

As an adult, she has paid dearly for a lifetime of excess, working tirelessly to reconcile her wonderful, terrible past and the pull of her magnetic father. By sharing her journey toward redemption and peace, the star who turned up High on Arrival has finally come back down to earth—to stay.©2009 Shane's Mom, Inc; (P)2009 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"I felt many things while reading this book -- which I did in one overnight sitting -- but when I reached the last page I felt only one: a tremendous respect for its author and a deep appreciation of just exactly how courageous she is to publish this book.
This is no celebrity addiction memoir. And it is no 'former child star falls from grace' saga, either. It is the heart-wrenching and perilous story that thousands and thousands of perfectly ordinary women and men lived themselves, silently, numbly, and with obedience and love. By making her search for redemption public -- despite the inevitable backlash -- Mackenzie Phillips may very well help others find it for themselves.
Rich with compassion, forgiveness, and wisdom, this is a brave memoir executed with an unwavering loyalty and commitment to truth." -- Augusten Burroughs

wow!

thank you for sharing your story <3 I'm no Rockstar or movie star...but some of these things were so relatable for me and it was healing to listen to.

Great for repeat listening!

I have enjoyed this audible book so much that I’ve probably listened to it 50 times or more. It’s such a spirited tale I liken to a rollercoaster ride when I describe it to friends. The narration by the author is perfect. Much to discover here, a must read for my generation. Much love to Mack.

Great book

Wonderful book. I could not put this book down. It was absolutely wonderful. Definitely would read this book. This woman definitely been through a lot in her life...

Walking Uphill

I’m glad that NcKenzie put her own book out there. Many had said many a things about her now she told it, the good the bad, and the triumphant

moving

sadness for the life of a little girl that seeked love and attention from her father her entire life. much love and light to Laura MacKenzie Phillips.