Rating: 
Summary: I hate celebrity bios, but I love this book!
Review: I read this book only because I saw Michael J Fox on Charlie Rose. During the show, parts of the book were read out loud, and I just had to read the rest. Still, I really didn't know what to expect. Generally, I hate books written by celebrities, with or without ghost-writing help. I hate the "look at me" aspects of most of these books, the superficiality, the gloss.This book has none of those features. This is a book written by a man who has gone (and continues to go) through a series of wildly implausible adventures. From his early, almost accidental, startdom, through his marriage which has somehow defied all the odds for a Hollywood marriage, through his diagnosis with early-onset Parkinson's disease, nothing in this man's life could have been predicted. Michael J Fox has dived deep into his own psyche and come back to tell us what he found there. With compassion for himself and for the other people he has known in his life, he describes what it was like to be so successful, to experience fame as a drug (almost) that distanced him from some levels of reality, and then to have it all taken away. And he did it himself. This book was not ghostwritten, and the beauty of some passages makes it hard to believe that the author is not a professional writer. The fact that the prose was not mediated by a ghost-writer also makes the book more immediate and accessible. I do not have words to do justice to the honesty, the compassion, and the courage that I found in this book. All I can say is what I have been saying to people ever since I read it: "I know, I know, it's a celebrity autobiography. Read it anyway."
Rating: 
Summary: He's a 'likeable' lucky guy.
Review: I found his story to be interesting, though a bit slow; in my opinion, memoirs have a tendency to be that way anyway. MJF is a standup guy, no doubt. Realizing at such a mature, yet young age, that you have suddenly been diagnosed with a disabling disease can in no way be an easy thing to deal with. He explained adequately and intelligently how he went from being a fun loving and boozing yahoo to a rudely awakened, thankful family man with the help of a devoted, loving wife and stable family existence. It would seem as though it's merely another story depicting the notion that things happen for reasons ... fate is in command. I found it to be truly noble how he handled the situation. Sometimes the power of the affluent is what's needed to help those afflicted, especially when they become afflicted as well. In other words, squeaky wheels get all the grease. I wish him, and the Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Disease Foundation, all the luck in the world with research and the prospect of a cure, for he is right: he is a lucky man. It's a fortunate man who recognizes his luck. With that luck, combined with strength, he can go forthright in the fight to help those not so lucky. Read this book and smile, as most of us always did when watching Michael J. Fox. I'm sure that's what he had in mind anyway.
Rating: 
Summary: Worthwhile and engaging
Review: I was given this book as a gift, and so I may not have picked it up otherwise. Usually I don't find actors' memoirs to be all that compelling. But this one is really rather different because Fox describes how he sloughed off some of the Hollywood scale that he'd allowed to accumulate over the years. That is what is interesting about this book above all. Also, the information on Parkinson's is well-informed and very interesting. Beside these things, the book is well-written and well-edited. It's a worthwhile read.
Rating:
Summary: Timeless
Review: You know, it takes a lot to write a good autobiography. One that captivates, entertains, and is easy to follow. I mean, it can't be easy for anyone to explain exactly what they go through when they are faced with a tough challenge in life, like Parkinson's. You're sure it's a great autobiography when you can actually relate to what the author, in this case, a beloved actor/family guy, is going through, no matter how different circumstances are.
I mean, not all of us are faced with psychological challenges, and even fewer ever understand how to cope with them. Heck, in the world we live in today, it's the rarest of all for someone to call themselves 'lucky' in all they go through. This book is inspiring, thoughtful, and incredibly helpful. Even if you've never even heard of Michael J. Fox, please, just take the time to read his work. And if you grew up watching him, take a chance to grow up even more with his words of wisdom. Believe me...you'll be glad you picked this one up. ;):)
Rating:
Summary: Endeared to Me, Once More
Review: I wasn't sure what to expect from one of my teenage crushes turned writer. Growing up with Michael J. Fox and Kirk Cameron on your walls never prepares you for something real to happen to them. Even well into adult life they remain that cute face above your bed that you would look up at and hope upon hopes that a miracle would happen and you'd end up marrying them. Watching Fox on Family Ties, I was convinced he was the smartest, most infallible teenagers I would ever know and so to read some real life facts was very shocking. A fact such as him dropping out of high school to pursue acting, and not getting his GED until he was thirty some years old, while certainly not shameful, sure was shocking. The mere fact that he currently has an incurable neurological disorder goes against everything you think about your T.V. heroes. The sheer eloquence with which he writes is a wonderful surprise. He has a strong voice throughout the book and this too surprised me. I had always viewed him as a man of action and not the patient well thought out writer that he presents. So it was pretty much with these feelings that I continued reading his memoir. His family information was interesting and his relationship with his grandmother, a special one. The wild and crazy single life he led was a bit surprising since he had always played such straight and narrow characters. It was his experience and diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease that had me the most enthralled. I had no idea it was such an uncommon disease for his age group and his information on the public funding and explanations behind this funding and attention make perfect sense. The way he has used his celebrity status as a currency is commendable and must have been so difficult. I loved reading about his lengthy transition from hiding his symptoms from everyone, even his wife, to going un-medicated in front of a panel of senators to show them the true ravages of Parkinson's disease. I totally understand his reasons and marriage being such a sacred union, I don't begrudge the fact that there are not more descriptions on how his diagnosis effected his wife, Tracy, personally. In want of telling a complete story this did seem an important overlooked portion. Perhaps to tell it most correctly, would have taken another novel. By the end of the book and after seeing the complete turn his life had taken, I again was renewed in my thinking of him as that infallible T.V. character. He truly is a lucky man that has been made even more endearing to yet another fan. I would highly recommend this book to any person, any age group.
Rating:
Summary: Lucky Man
Review: I am not the type of person who reads a lot of books in fact I haven't read a book in years, however, once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down and was done reading it in a couple of days. I found out about Michael's book on Oprah a show I don't usually watch but I heard that Michael J. Fox was going to be on that day and watched it. I learned a lot from this book not only about Michael but about Parkinson's too. This book takes you all through his major life events from birth to how he became who is today.
Rating:
Summary: A celebrity to celebrate
Review: The noted historian, Charles Beard, wrote, "When it's dark enough, you can see the stars." This book brings this quote to life in an upbeat, positive, and insightful autobiography from a familiar face. I was most impressed by Michael's book. Like most, I've watched him mature on television and on the big screen, but knew next to nothing about Michael the person. "Lucky Man" offers a glimpse into a life that many have only dreamed of, but have never known the struggle and pain associated with being famous. Michael lived through being caught up in the whirlwind of fame, found balance in the love of his family, and persevered under adversity to become a loud voice for millions of Americans living with Parkinson's Disease. A must read guide for anyone who has had to deal with true adversity in life. Thank you Michael, for everything you've given us through the years, and for the inspiration and faith you provide today.
Rating:
Summary: Good book, nice writing style
Review: Biographies and autobiographies are some of my most favorite type books to read. But I don't read everyone's. I've never been a fan of Michael J. Fox. Yes, he was cute in Family Ties, but I never watched a single episode of Spin City. The movie, "An American President", is one of my favorites, but I pretty much forgot Fox was in it because he's not the main character-not even close. And it was just a couple months ago that I watched all three "Back to the Future" movies when my 9 year old rented them from the library. Also, there's no family member or loved one I know who's afflicted with Parkinson's Disease. When I heard about M.J. Fox's autobiography it didn't intrigue me. But a week or so ago I saw him on a repeat of Oprah. Only watched it cuz I was bored, but in doing so, I learned, to my surprise, that Fox has had other 'demons'in his life besides Parkinson's to deal with. For the first time, I saw him as a many-dimensional person, not just a flat face on a picture screen. So I read this book, and it's great. He describes fame, and how he dealt with it, in a very honest way I don't think many other celebrities have. Some of my favorite parts of the book are when he writes about his relationships with his parents, siblings and his beloved Nana. A few more personal photos added to the autobiography would have been nice; I'd love to see pictures of all the above mentioned as well as a family photo of he and Tracy and their children, even if the kids all wore 'Groucho Marx' disguises (understandable that celebrities shield their children from the spotlight). Speaking of Tracy.....well, they don't make 'celebrity' women like her too often...sticking with Michael thru marriage ups and downs. This couple's committment to each other is commendable. Anyway, read the book. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Abridged CD
Review: Though I normally don't listen to abridged books, I figured I'd pick this one up at the library and give it a go. I have always liked Mr. Fox and since it was also read by him I figured I would enjoy it. I did. From his confidence as a child to his courage as an adult, he seems like a real down to earth kind of guy that deserves admiration.
I could only notice traces of a shaky voice during his narration and that seemed to be just on the first couple of cd's. A good abridgement and a good story. I wish you luck and hope the researchers find a cure real soon. Highly Recommended
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: I'm not much on biographies, especially of the "auto-" kind. They are usually self-serving fluff. This book is the exact opposite. The fact that Mr. Fox wrote it without a ghost writer should be a major selling point. What the reader gets is a candid and humourous portrait of the man many of us have watched since he was a child (in fact, I remember the series Leo and Me). This book, though it is essentially about how he discovered he had Parkinson's, is anything but depressing and morbid. This book is a celebration of his life. Do not miss this one.
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