Customer Reviews (1)

A FINE MAN...
This is the Spanish text edition of "Lucky Man", a wonderful memoir by a beloved actor. I have always been a fan of Michael J. Fox, as he always seemed so likable in every role in which he has been cast. His book is no different. His wit, charm, and self-deprecating humor resonate throughout this intensely personal memoir of his life. He is not only likable, he is a fine man who has come to terms with the hand with which he has been dealt and is making the most of it.

The book traces his beginnings as a Canadian army brat, his father having been in the military. He tells the reader about growing up in Canada, part of a closely knit, working class family. He credits his short stature with helping him get his start in the theatre and film business in Canada, as it enabled him to play children's roles. From there, he did a segue into the United States, where he eventually won the coveted role of Alex P. Keaton in the hit situation comedy "Family Ties.". From then on, he was on the path to fame and fortune.

Alas, the path to fame and fortune is not always an easy one. His take on his celebrity status is astute, and he describes the impact that it has had on his life, both good and bad. He details some mistakes that he has made while growing up, such as the drinking binges that were out of control and threatened to derail his life. He also discusses some of the good decisions he has made, such as his marriage to the intelligent and lovely Tracy Pollan. He also details where these mistakes and choices have taken him and how they have shaped him into the man he is today.

The specter of Young Onset Parkinson's Disease has overshadowed his life since 1990, when he first noticed the physical manifestations of the disease by an uncontrollable trembling and twitching of his left pinkie. At the time, he was still in his twenties. He would go on to live in a state of denial for some time. When denial was no longer an option, he spent years hiding his disease from everyone except for his immediate family. When he finally did the television series Spin City, he let the people with whom he worked closely in on his secret., until the day came when it could be kept secret no more.

In 1998, Michael J. Fox decided to go public with his diagnosis and prognosis and share with the general public his experiences with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. He has been liberated by doing so. The book details how he has come to terms with the disease and how it has impacted on his life. He describes the disease in detail, as well his involvement in Parkinson's advocacy. He has certainly been an ardent spokesperson, directing his efforts to research fundraising in an attempt to find a cure for this disease. His celebrity status has served to put the spotlight on this debilitating and, eventually, fatal disease.

This is a very well-written, compelling memoir by a very fine man, intelligent and introspective. He is a family man who has a deep appreciation for his beloved and loyal wife, who has stood by her man through thick and thin. He is also a devoted father to his two children. Though he has met with much material success in life, Michael J, Fox has managed to remain grounded and true to himself. This no-holds-barred book reminds me as to why I have always liked Michael J. Fox. He is, indeed, a lucky man. ... Read more