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Summary: Michael J Fox is a class act
Review: What can I add to all of the previous reviews except to say that everything everyone has said is true. Autobiographies like this are rare. The book is humorous, informative and very touching. Michael J Fox is one classy guy.
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Summary: A Wonderful Memoir
Review: This book is extraordinary! I couldn't put it down. If you have an interest in the true Michael J. Fox and his struggle with Parkinson's Disease,this is the book for you!
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Summary: Quick read, fascinating view of celebracy & life w/Parkinson
Review: Normally I pass over the memoirs of celebrities -- essentually they are usually "My life of abuse, abusing others and myself, let's shock ...everybody, and my big comeback" and boring.There were three things that attracted me to this book: 1)the summary on Amazon, 2)the notoriety surrounding Parkinsons desease, stem cell research and Michael J. Fox, and 3)the statement by Fox that the last 10 years were the best of his life. I was pleasently surprised that this book was a highly enjoyable quick read, and quite an informative look at celebracy, and highly educative about Parkinson' desease.
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Summary: Courage, Candor, and Conviction
Review: Frankly, I really did not know what to expect as I began to read this book but I did feel an obligation to do so because I have admired Fox's work for many years and was already aware of his debilitating illness, Parkinson's disease. In fact, I have seen several of his recent appearances on television during which he frankly discussed that illness without anger, self-pity, or bitterness. In this volume, he shares his thoughts and feelings about his life thus far, devoting substantial attention to his current circumstances. The fact that he considers himself a "lucky man" expresses the same attitude which Lou Gehrig did decades ago when speaking to his teammates and fans in Yankee Stadium. How easy it is to think of an entertainer such as Fox wholly in terms of the various roles played throughout a career. More often than not, only at the time of death or perhaps only many years thereafter do we begin to "know" most entertainers as human beings. Some we then appreciate even more; others less. Fox looks back over his childhood and youth, his problems with alcohol and personal relationships, the challenges he encountered as he became a celebrity, and (for me) most important of all, the lessons he has learned along the way. This is essentially a positive memoir about a still young man (trapped in the body of an 80-year old) now facing a very serious situation. I commend him for discussing so generously and so eloquently what many of his readers (I included) would find difficult to share. As I completed reading this personal affirmation of certain basic values, I wished that Fox could have accompanied Mitch Albom during several of his Tuesday visits to see Morrie Schwartz. Those conversations never occurred but at least we have this book as well as Albom's...and because of that, we are also "lucky."
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Summary: striking in its irony
Review: The title of the book is striking in its irony -- how can someone who has been singled out among millions to have this incurable disease consider himself lucky? Michael himself, I think, suggested the answer early in page 25 of the book: "It seems to me that the quality of the moment in time is not always a reflection in and of itself - what happens before and what happens after are often what gives it its savor". Incredible talents notwithstanding, it was because of luck that he was picked from high school to star in a Canadian TV show Leo & Me. It was luck that reversed Brandon Tartikoff's decision not to cast him in Family ties because of his height. It was luck that he met and married a dedicated wife, Tracy Polan. Before Parkinson's, these defining moments influenced the rest of his life and career. It is easier for me to think about Michael as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties - confident, in control, able to get out of difficult situations with his wit, intelligence and sheer charm; or to watch him in "The American President" admonishing the most powerful man in the world that "264 million americans don't care about his personal problem, they care about their own". To see him vulnerable and confused in real life is humanizing to read and empathized with. What he did after being informed of his Parkinsons is what seems to me, more of character and will-power than luck. Rather than "rage" or "go gently", he went on undaunted to perfect his craft and help inspire others with similar afflictions. While the book is pragmatic and focused mostly on unflinching realities, I detected a sense of belief in the inscrutable when he wrote "I no longer underestimate the power of prayer". In that sense, I consider him a very lucky man indeed.
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Summary: "Back to the Eighties"
Review: I loved this book -- an amazing revelation of how intoxicating -- and gross -- it is too be super famous. And finally Parkinson's -- the "Big No." A quick and very very good read.
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Summary: Humble
Review: this was a great read, i couldn't put it down. i just had to finish it. this was such a powerful book. mjf was very honest with us in telling his story. thanks for the book micheal. paul perry
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Summary: Truly inspirational
Review: I have been a Michael J. Fox fan from the first second I saw him on television on Family Ties. I have always admired his sense of humor and quick wit and his obvious talent. He is one of those lucky people that knew what he wanted to do as a living,, found the work time after time and people enjoyed what he did, over and over again. How rare is that???? And then he gets this perfect soul-mate (I usually don't use that term but it just seems perfect for Mike and Tracy) when he finds Tracy. Their life together hasn't been all roses and champagne like you picture most "celebrity romances". But then they are just people like you and me that have the misfortune of having their lives put under a microscope, photographed, videotaped and played back for all the world to see, with possible editorial priveledges taken for granted. How many couples could survive that? But Mike Fox took an adverse situation and in the true spirit of a fighter refused to go down any other way but swinging (and not just from the symptoms of PD). I hope the true ending to this story will have a very happy ending not only for Mike and his family but for all the thousands of PD families around the world. Maybe it's people like Mike and the way he has handled this twist of fate thrown his way that might give a little answer to the question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Don't get me wrong.....Michael J. Fox was no angel before his diagnosis and through the book I kept questioning why Tracy put up with some of his immature antics..but in the long run deep down inside his wife,kids and family came first to him. It just took a little pinky shake to make him really see what he was doing to them and himself,I think. I wish the Fox family good luck and good health. I hope his foundation and celebrity standing will be able to do some good for all the PD sufferers. My prayers go out to you all!!!!! I hope this isn't his last book because he can now add to his resume "very prolific author". I throughly enjoyed the book and highly recommend reading it even if you aren't a Michael J. Fox fan.
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Summary: a very well written book
Review: This book was a surprise for me; I didn't expect it to be so well-written. There's not much I can say that would do the book justice. Buy it.....read it. It's the best book I have read in quite a while. Humble, yet profound.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read.
Review: I think the other reviewers have already cited what I'm about to say, but to sum up: Buy this book for yourself, your family, and your friends. This book is without a doubt the most touching thing I have ever read. I didn't know when I bought it that the proceeds were going to Michael's Foundation, but that's all the more reason to get your hands on this. This book is worth every penny and you will not be disappointed.
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