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Summary: An honest and deeply moving real life love story
Review: "Saving Milly" is one of those rare self revelatory books that also contain a deeply passonate message for all to heed. For most of us, "In sickness and in health" are words avowed with no real snse of what they may mean. Morton Kondracke invites, cajoles and reveals to us the essence of what these words hold. Touchingly told, "Saving Milly" also contains a message about the reality of medical funding in America, or perhaps I should say, the reality of the lack of it, and urges all of us to become advocates for what we beleive in: love, commitment and passion for our particular cause. As we read this book, we too will be moved to help tilt the world in a slightly better direction. And in the process, perhaps, we will remember to reach into our own souls and tederly touch those whom we deeply love.
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Summary: thank you for writing this book
Review: As the subtitle suggests, this is really three books. One is about the relationship between the author and his wife. The second is about the politics of medical funding. The third is about Parkinson's disease, its symptoms, its progress, and its treatment.The first story is mildly interesting. I find the ambitious Kondracke more interesting than his wife. I used to read Kondracke's pieces in THE NEW REPUBLIC and watch him on THE MCLAUGHLIN REPORT. He hasn't exactly ended up with the life he thought he wanted. In spite of his devotion to his wife, he must have occasional regrets about the things he hasn't achieved. He chose Milly, and he's sticking to her. It's what any decent person would have done, but many of us are not so decent. The politics of medical funding was the dullest part of the book, and as a previous reviewer has said, no disease is without its advocates. It would be great to fund them all to the max, but it's not going to happen. To me, the most interesting part of the book was the information about the disease itself and its effect on one real person, how she coped, and how she fought. The Kondrackes appear to have plenty of money for additional caregivers, household help, and educations for their children. Everything is easier with money. I do not mean to belittle the suffering of this family, but I wonder what this experience is like for those who are less well off.
Rating:
Summary: Things We Thought We Knew
Review: At mid-life we think we know that bad things happen to good people, that character counts, and that love endures. "Saving Milly" brings these truisms home in a visceral and moving account that challenges us to be better than we are. The book operates on a number of levels. First, it is an intimate, compelling, truthful, and not always easy account of a complicated marriage, an unsparing snapshot of marriage in Washington's power circles, in this case journalism. In this is it like all intimate stories, universal and particular. The mix of the outwardly disciplined, Ivy League-educated, solidly reared author and the outspoken and idealistic wife is a grea t read. When Parkinson's disease hits Milly, the Kondrackes' life turns upside down and the author's most basic assumptions about what is important are challenged. He dedicates his life to saving Milly day by day, discovering the depths of his love, expressing it directly to feed Milly's emotional needs and in countless gifts of phycial caring and attention. He uses the lessons learned as a distinguished Washington and television personality to direct attention to the underfunding of Parkinson's research, thereby revealing both the cynicism of those politicians who talk the talk but don't walk the walk, and the moral high ground of others who listen and take action. Milly is the nominal heroine but the author is the hero. This is the rare book that will leave the reader a different person, better for the knowledge of what a good man can do when confronted with an incomprehensible challenge.
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Summary: LIFE SEEMS TO BE A ROLLING OF THE DICE
Review: I can't imagine anyone giving less than 5 stars for this book. It is a pro-life story filled with land mines. I was most interested in the relationship between Milly and Morton as there are many parallels in my life to how M & M "operated." One example is almost each day I ask my wife if I have said, "Have I told you how much I love you today?" How Milly and Morton met and then their courtship is worth the price of the book alone. The incidence of Parkinson's and the progression of the disease and what was done for counteraction was most interesting. Then the details of how political it is for getting funding for various diseases was eye-opening. Then, the final stages of Milly's dilemma is heart rending. Through everything the love between a man and a wife and along with that, the love of a multitude of friends and their support is enlightening and satisfying to the reader. I read this book in two days; many others could get through it in one. Easy to read, with interesting information on every page, this is a book that will lighten up your life! Many times you will say, "I'm sure glad that hasn't happened to me," or you could say, "I was just diagnosed with Parkinson's; hope scientific research find the cure within the next year or so."
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Summary: Have Read it and Wept
Review: I first heard about Mort kondracke's book via a report on NPR. I was then contacted by a movie producer to see if I wanted to write the script adaptation for one of the networks. I read the book and said I couldn't write the adaptation but I also couldn't NOT write it. Since then, this book has occupied almost every waking moment. The horror of this disease, plus the added - and shameful - horror of a government - your government and mine - that will not support the kind of research and treatment that the scientific and medical community say they need so they can cure this disease in 5 or so years, is one of the main messages of this book -- although Mort is in some ways too much of a gentleman (or politician) to come out and say it that way. Mort writes about love and devotion and how the power of the human heart can transform us into making great changes in ourselves that seemed impossible until something big comes along - like Parkinson's or any other kind of personal or family tragedy. The ultimate message, for me as a reader and as a writer, is that no one knows why Milly got Parkinson's, but everyone knows she doesn't have to die from it. And if she does, it won't be because of science but because of politics. That is the REAL tragedy.
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Summary: Outstanding and touching memoir, confession, and love story.
Review: I was swept away by this book and read it in one sitting. For readers familiar with Morton Kondracke through his appearances on television or through his writings, this is a suprisingly warm and touching account. It is greatly to his credit that its warmth and honesty shine so clearly. Kondracke is open, honest, and extremely candid in his assessment of his marriage and himself. Here is a man who clearly gained insight from his own therapy experiences and from the loving and constant pressure from his wife to force him to grow. For an example of how one's narcissism can gradually be overcome, this book is worth reading. But it is so much more. One gets a vivid picture of the intimate workings of a marriage, the strengths and weaknesses of their child rearing, and the battle between career and family. One also comes away with great affection for both Morton and Milly and their deep love and devotion for each other. But there is still more. The description of the insidious progression of Parkinson's disease, the phases of wishful thinking, despairing realization, heroic fighting, valiant perseverence, and ultimately honest recognition of where things will lead, constitute an inspiring if also discouraging saga. The direct discussion of the alternatives facing Milly and Morton as they peer into the dark future are bracing -- chilling in their implications and invigorating in their honesty and bluntness. There is still more. The story of the politics of medical research, the duplicity of politicians, the disproportionate allocation of research resources, and even the difficulties and disagreements of the "good guys," such as the conflicts between the Fox foundation and the PAN, are wrenching for the reader. "Why can't potentially curable diseases get the resources they need?" the reader asks in frustration. It seems that only those personally touched by tragedy rise to the occasion, as is the case with politicians who are as different as Tom Harkin and Connie Mack. Yet there is still more to this book. There is the story of love and friendship. There are friends who stand by in generous support at the times of greatest trial and others who fade away. Always there is the deep love between Morton and Milly. Finally there is God and philosophy. I found Kondracke's "Christian Stoicism" to be very much in accord with my own views. One does the best with the hand one is dealt, asking God to help keep us strong during the ordeal. Whenever Kondracke asks God what he should be doing, God answers, "Take care of Milly." We don't often get miraculous divine intervention to take away our trials. But we can ask for and receive strength from God to deal with them in a loving and even heroic way. Milly Kondracke is the hero of the book, but so is Mort Kondracke. So too are their friends and everyone working for the cure of Parkinson's and other degenerative diseases. The book itself is sometimes harsh, sometimes sad, sometimes infuriating, but always uplifting and inspirational. Very highly recommended.
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Summary: Connections Count... The Politics of Parkinson's
Review: In order to learn more about a disease that has affected several family members, I read Saving Milly with great interest. I was quickly pulled in. Kondracke writes with honesty about a strong and vital woman, his wife, as well as what it means to be caregiver and spouse to one afflicted with Parkinson's Disease. He has much to say in praise of his Milly, while often taking an unglorious view of himself. He admits to insecurities and vanities and weaknesses few of us would admit to in public, let alone to ourselves. Most admirable, perhaps, is the love story intertwined with the story of how both Mort and Milly, each in their own way, cope with PD. In a time when so few relationships survive the minor bumps and bruises of everyday life, this one has survived a major crisis, grown even stronger for the testing. When these two married for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and with a promise of fidelity... they meant it. Wonderful. While much of what Kondracke writes about the symptoms and treatments of Milly's disease were, in basic outlines, already known to me, I was intrigued to read his insights into the politics of a disease. I was not surprised... yet nonetheless dismayed. Money rules. Connections count. Nothing like celebrity to shine a spotlight on a particular illness. Hrmph. But so be it, this is reality. And to see it in sharper light of realistic approaches and political power can only help us play the game more effectively. None of us should be unaware of the lies we are too often fed by politicians, but all of us should hold those we vote into office accountable. In the end, it is most important to understand that causes close to our heart must be championed if they are to be cured. Kondracke has given us a window onto a disease that has or will touch many of our lives, a disease that has gotten too little attention, especially prior to exposure gained by Michael J. Fox (who also makes an appearance in this book). It may not be the most typical experience with PD, especially in terms of the kind of care he could provide Milly because of his own celebrity and his own higher income bracket, but that is of less importance than the story of survival achieved with love, grace, compassion, and insight.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely moving story about a couple and their struggle
Review: Morton Kondrake's book is about much more than his wife Milly's Parkinson's disease. It's also about their life together, their marriage, the differences that caused friction between them, Kondrake's struggles in his career and those to overcome his own weaknesses, including, for a time, alcoholism. What emerges is a story of quiet heroism, both his and Milly's, as she defies the odds and continues to prove that her will to live is greater than her despair. Kondrake also writes about the politics of research and fundraising for various diseases, and how some diseases have more cache than others, even if the disease garnering more print and air time afflicts far fewer people than other devastating ailments. This may not come as a shock to people but it is still important so that we can all do what we can to campaign to make disease research and funding more equitable. I was most touched by Kondrake's unsparingly honest account of his own shortcomings as a man, a husband, and father, and how Milly, and eventually, her Parkinson's disease, made him grow into a far greater man than he was before. The fact that this is a true account makes this book very significant, and more moving than any fiction could be. It's impossible not to read it without tears.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely moving story about a couple and their struggle
Review: Morton Kondrake's book is about much more than his wife Milly's Parkinson's disease. It's also about their life together, their marriage, the differences that caused friction between them, Kondrake's struggles in his career and those to overcome his own weaknesses, including, for a time, alcoholism. What emerges is a story of quiet heroism, both his and Milly's, as she defies the odds and continues to prove that her will to live is greater than her despair. Kondrake also writes about the politics of research and fundraising for various diseases, and how some diseases have more cache than others, even if the disease garnering more print and air time afflicts far fewer people than other devastating ailments. This may not come as a shock to people but it is still important so that we can all do what we can to campaign to make disease research and funding more equitable. I was most touched by Kondrake's unsparingly honest account of his own shortcomings as a man, a husband, and father, and how Milly, and eventually, her Parkinson's disease, made him grow into a far greater man than he was before. The fact that this is a true account makes this book very significant, and more moving than any fiction could be. It's impossible not to read it without tears.
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Summary: Why I Will Never Complain Again
Review: Reading this book was like sitting at a kitchen table and letting Mort just pour his story out over a cup of coffee (like Mort, I am a recovering drunk so we can't do it over a beer). His is a story of passion, love, commitment and clear proof that there is nothing in my life I can ever complain about again.
Millie is an extraordinary woman, her struggles with life, faith and Parkinson's come alive in this real narrative. You can't help but feel her pain, and Mort's immense love and commitment to her.
I have always liked Kondracke as a pundit - I am a liberal republican, he a conservative democrat. We share similar feelings about nearly every issue except who we are most likely to initially vote for in a Presidential race. His struggle to get government officials to hear his plea for funding pissed me off - and I am sure you will share his frustrations in the reading.
Most critically, you will absolutely be moved by the openness, honesty and devotion in this story.
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