I just finished a great read that I highly recommend...Michael J Fox's Always Looking Up.
I am a fan of this guy so I guess it would not be surprising that I enjoyed his book...he is funny and charming whenever I see him in an interview or in any of his film work and I feel this comes across in his writing. He strikes me as someone who does not take himself seriously and I love that humble attitude.
The other quality I admire and one I have tried hard to acquire is the ability to disagree without being disagreeable...he is never mean spirited... even when others (Rush Limbaugh) are mean to him.
His most endearing quality however, is his optimistic spirit which I do not posses and his is evident throughout the book.
The cover states:
The last ten years, which is really the stuff of this book, began with such a loss: my retirement from Spin City. I found myself struggling with a strange new dynamic: the shifting of public and private personas. I had been Mike the actor, then Mike the actor with PD. Now was I just Mike with PD? Parkinson's had consumed my career and, in a sense, had become my career. But where did this all leave me? I had to build a new life when I was already pretty happy with the old one.
Always Looking Up is a memoir of this last decade, told through critical themes of Michael's life: work, politics, faith, and family. This book is a journey of self discovery and reinvention, and a testament to the consolations that protect him from the ravages of Parkinson's.
I think many of us with today's economy can relate to these themes...many of us feel we are standing on sinking sand even without having to experience a life threatening illness...there are so many uncertainties for many of us!
I think this book is also a testament to the saying..."We shall overcome!"
12 comments:
I'm in the process of reading "Always Looking Up" by Michael J. Fox. I'm half way through it. I highly recommend it, also. Although, for some reason, it has been a slower read for me than his first book "Lucky Man". But that may be due to the fact that I'm older now. LOL! I, too, admire his humble spirit and his willingness to look diversity in the face with dignity and honor.
As you know, I just read this the other day. I LOVED it. His 'fight' with Limbaugh was especially good to read about, given Former Reader's comments earlier in the week... I love sychronicities like that! I was really touched by his humor, his humble attitude, and, like you, his ability to disagree in such a respectful way. So many of us (me included) could take lessons from him. It's a book I'll definitely read again!
Thank you for sharing that book, i love books like that, that are positive. Sometimes we think we have it so bad until we see what other shoes people walk in. I always liked Mike on Family Ties....so bad he is ill but great that he looks at it in a positive way.
I too love this man. He is such and inspiration. I downloaded this book to my ipod last week and have been listening to him on my walks. I am about 2/3 the way through and will probably listen to it more than one time. This was a great post and I loved reading your insights!
I heard from some critic on the radio that it was more a publicity thin for his Parkinson's foundation so I didn't think I would be interested in it but since you give me a different picture, I probably will be reading it after all!!
I wish I had the ability to read and enjoy non-fiction, but I just can't get into them. I do love MJ Fox though.
Justine :o )
I will definitely put it on my list. Sounds great and I have liked Michael J Fox since...yikes....family ties!
Have a great day!
Have you seen Michael J. Fox on Rescue Me this season? Anyone?
I always liked Michael J Fox on t.v. and while I don't agree with his stance on stem cells, I admire his "don't give up" attitude. I would probably just sit around feeling sorry for myself.
This sounds like a great book! I probably would not have picked up on it without your recommendation. Thanks.
I haven't read his book yet. But he is someone I have always liked and admired. I did see his tv show that was on a couple of weeks ago. I think we can learn a lot from him. My husband commented that it would be a better world if a lot more people were like him.
I was wondering if this book was good!
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