Rating: 
Summary: He's Ten Feet Tall Now
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect. I got much more than I expected.
If it is true that Michael wrote this book himself then, hard as it is to say, he may have missed his calling. He is a good writer. Just as he managed to make the potentially obnoxious Alex into a lovable character he has created a portrait of a human being growing in crisis that is almost unimaginable.
Though, I imagine, the emotions he must have felt in the beginning with his diagnosis and continuing on to the present probably can not truly be put into words; the fact that he has turned his life around and gone forward in the way he has, should put to shame those tabloid efforts to turn his life into some maudlin pitiable affair. They obviously don't know what they are talking about.
I got the book today UPS, and I read it non-stop in less than the 3 hours he spent at his first therapy session.[Read about it in the book.] I plan to read it again and savor the moments.
He is building his life on a rock of faith - the birth of his and Tracy's fourth child Esme is a much a statement of that faith as his advocacy for Parkinson's research. After reading the book, I have no doubt whatsoever, that he will be dancing at his children's weddings.
And if he can do nothing more than cut the clap-trap and bull out of scientific and medical research programmes and their secretive competiveness he will have done the world a service that is priceless.
Beyond that he has shown a grasp of family dynamics relationships that gives proof of his depth as a human being.
This in no celebrity tell all book. It's a revelation and an inspiration.
Way to go Michael!
From a grandmother of seven.
Rating:
Summary: Remarkable Man
Review: Michael J. Fox, like Christopher Reeve before him, has made the decision to share his very private health issues with the public. This book should not be placed in the category of celebrity memoir, as most, which bear that classification, are worthless, ghostwritten bits of self-gratification. The face of the celebrity on the cover is generally as artificially augmented as the trivia the books contain.One of the more interesting pieces of information he shared was the distribution of funds supplied by The Federal Government for medical research. I may be wrong but I think he was making a point. When you look at the categories and the funds allocated, disparities become readily apparent. If people choose forms of personal conduct that have proven to be fatal, should that be a factor as to what degree they are publicly funded? It may be terribly incorrect politically, but I think it should. If an individual decides to smoke themselves to an early grave why should we be presented with the Chief Executive Officers of the companies who produce a product whose intent is to produce an addiction, an addiction that will kill, saying before Congress, "cigarettes are no more addictive than chocolate chip cookies"? You want to smoke fine, don't expect taxpayers to subsidize your choice to endanger your health. There are other choices people make, but I am sure to take enough grief on this one observation. Parkinson's and many other diseases that attack people who have done nothing to encourage their arrival, with the exception of perhaps a genetic predisposition, seem to me to have a stronger case for consideration and funding. Mr. Fox has written a lucid, candid, and very readable documentary of a plight he shares with many people. What he has that others do not is celebrity. That he chooses to use his celebrity and forego the privacy that he and his family are entitled to, is not only selfless, it is remarkable. It is true his success was the result of public support for his career. He offered his ability to entertain and we gave our time and money for that enjoyment. I don't think that entitles the public to any insight in to his personal life. Again, that he has made the decision to not only go public but to make medical research for the disease his new profession is remarkable. She is mentioned several times in the book, and whenever she is mentioned her actions or comments are generally crucial to her husband's best interests. Michael J. Fox may count himself a lucky man for a variety of reasons; his wife must be at or near the top of that list. Her part in his story is as admirable and wise as any other.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: This is an excellent read for anyone! People who have never heard of Michael J Fox & those that grew up watching him alike will enjoy this book for all the wit & serious moments. Michael keeps the book rolling with the same ease we all remember him using to play Alex P. Keaton or Marty MacFly & it will blow you away. There is never a momentarily lull or any dead spots, you will just want to keep reading. I, personally, read this book in two days without ever really "trying", i.e. stopping any other activity. PLEASE read this book... It is a remarkable story that everyone can benefit from. Buy one or make a donation to the foundation today.
- Heather Curtis, hefc@world.std.com
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Michael...
Review: ...for sharing a bit of yourself in this wonderfully written book. I have always been a "fan," referring to myself often as an "Alex P. Keaton Child of the 80's." so I knew that this book would interest me, but I wasn't prepared for how much it touched me. Michael's honesty and authenticity is refreshing. Many pages made me laugh out loud while others were heartbreaking. This is one not-to-be-missed. All of my best wishes and prayers go to Michael and Tracy and their family.
Rating:
Summary: Lucky Man Indeed!
Review: Michael J. Fox is indeed a lucky man. Not because he has the love and support of family, friends and fans. He is a lucky man because he recognized an opportunity to re-prioritize his life based on his circumstances. Although segments of the book dealing with his early career seem to drag on a bit, I keep reading because I wanted to learn why he calls himself a lucky man. My effort was rewarded. This book is well-crafted in that even though the reader doesn't always understand where the author is going, in the end his purpose is revealed. Equally interesting is his ability to maintain his privacy throughout the story by only telling information necessary to illustrate his message.
Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly good book
Review: An honest look at Parkinson's and what it's like to have it. The message is universal--time is limited, don't throw it away. A good read with a worthy ending. Now we just need to get a copy to President Bush so he can get the message.
Rating:
Summary: Good
Review: Fox and I are about the same age, and when I was about 30 and had suffered a debilitating disease throughout my 20's (that I still suffer from), I read one of the most annoying things ever come out of pre-Parkinson's Michael J. Fox's mouth. He said, "I sacrificed my 20's in order to have my 30's." He figured becoming a major movie star and TV star and multi-millionaire was a "sacrifice." And now he could retire at 30 with all his money and raise his kid. Typical annoying "fame and fortune are painful" junk that comes out of the mouths of so many stars. I would have loved to have traded places with him. When I heard later that Fox had since become afflicted with Parkinson's, I thought, "NOW he'll find out what sacrifice truly is." Well, to his credit, he does now seem to know what TRUE sacrifice is, and this book is evidence of that.
Rating:
Summary: I can only try to do justice to this book....
Review: I have just finished this book. I must admit I normally don't get the "warm and fuzzies" over books, but this one is just inspiring. I will be up front and say I am a "Family Ties" fan. However, as a young college man Michael's book has inspired me not only to realize everyone has problems, and everyone falls on hard times, but that good can come out of any situation if you just give it time and let it come to you. I felt the book was well written and flows very nicely. He did a good job at balancing his current battles with P.D. and his rise and struggles with celebrity. I would say to anyone who is looking for some hope, or who has ever dealt with emotional or physical pain, this book is a must read. Not only will you understand Michael's journey, but you will begin to put in retrospect your journey and how you can evolve into a better person.
Rating:
Summary: Book about Fox, Parkinson's and life's lessons...
Review: I always have an admiration for those who write autobiographies. It seems you are opening yourself up, letting everyone see who you are, learn about your mistakes, but best of all, allow people to see you are human. Michael J. Fox has done an extraordinary job with "Lucky Man". He begins the book by telling of his childhood in Canada, all leading up to his career. He talks then about his insecurities as an actor and a person. If Michael J. Fox has an ego, he leaves it checked at the door. From then, he talks about his diagnosis with Parkinson's. From his feelings that this was his punishment for not being the person he thought he should have been, through denial, anger and finally acceptance, Fox tells the world, that while he is not perfect, he is indeed lucky. I found this book to be inspiring for anyone. It shows that things in life can either change you for the better or completely take over, but ultimately, the choice is yours. Throughout, I laughed, cried and above all, I hoped. For anyone who has ever been diagnosed with Parkinson's, for anyone, anywhere, Fox can teach us all a major lesson in life. And it is even for a good cause. I would give this book my highest recommendation.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and Compassionate
Review: Please don't read this as a review of Michael J. Fox's book. I have read it and I find it very intelligent and compassionate. Fox is a surprisingly good writer (surprising because he is talented in many other areas as well--so many talents in one man). But along with saying that the book is very good and well worth reading, I want to respond to the person who asked if MJF might have dystonia. The reason I find it appropriate here, in this book review section, is because I think MJF would be in favor of educating people about Parkinson's, in general. It's a devestating disease that effects so many people, but so few, it seems, know much about it. Thanks to MJF, that is changing. Anyway, dystonia-like symptoms frequently come along with Parkinson's, but this does not mean a person with Parkinson's has dystonia. MJF's perpetual movement is called "dyskinesia," and it is not actually a symptom of the disease itself, but rather, a side-effect of Senimet, one of the medications essential to Parkinsons' treatment. Without the Senimet, a Parkinsonian person with certain manifestations might become rigid, unable to move at all. The Senimet, when it is working right, makes movement possible--but it also, in some cases, makes movement uncontrollable. It's a trade off that most Parkinsons' patients find worthwhile. Thank you, MJF, for all the work you do to bring this disease closer to a cure!!
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