Lucky Man: A Memoir Paperback – Illustrated, January 1, 2003

Fox's memoir takes the reader on a journey through a young man's life-- a young man who already has a relationship with the reader through the "magical thinking" that occurs between celebrity and fans. Fox succeeds greatly in drawing the reader into a deeper, more intimate connection with him so that we can come to agree with him that "celebrity" is merely a "funhouse", and that behind all his work as an actor, he is simply a person trying to maneuver his way through the challenges of life, just like the rest of us. Though his challenges are indeed his own, they are brought to a scale relatable and, at times, even recognizable to the average person. You will not find behind-the-scenes anecdotes from his TV and film projects, but you will find how his acting gigs serve as benchmarks, and- at times- causes for other concerns in his everyday life (like after being diagnosed with PD). Fox does this in a way that allows fans to embrace and respect Mike as a man with deep integrity beyond his work on screen. Fox declares, for good reason, why the best personal turning points in his life came after his diagnosis of PD. It is the anecdotes that support this declaration plus the basic knowledge the reader already has of Mike-- his acting roles, and the fact that he has PD- that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. At the end of this book, it will not be Mike's autograph you seek, but his friendship- his company.

Being diagnosed with Young Onset Parkinson’s changed Michael J. Fox’s life, and not all bad. In fact, he thinks of himself as lucky because in many ways, by pushing him to turn his life around, his diagnosis saved his life. Lucky Man is mostly the story of his Parkinson’s diagnosis and coming to terms with it. He is very honest about his partying, issues in his marriage, and his anger over his body betraying him. It’s an excellent read for any Michael J. Fox fan.

I've always been a fan of Michael Fox's. When I saw this memoir for only 2 bucks on Amazon, I couldn't resist. Boy, am I glad I grabbed it. I learned much about Michael the man, since I already knew the actor.I thought I knew enough too but soon learned I knew nothing at all. I also got a bigger glimpse into Parkinson's Disease and the effects it has on the person who has it, and the people around them.It's nice to see a celebrity like Michael using his stature to bring awareness, as well as attending senate meetings on behalf of people with Parkinson's, to try for more funding for research. Being so active in the fight is admirable, especially when you see the extents he has taken.There were some funny moments too. I loved how he shared his family life, from childhood to now, his stories were heartwarming.Lots of people will enjoy this read, a fan or not. For those not sure, believe me when I tell you that it's more than meets the eye.

This was an enjoyable and inspiring read. Though he wrote this himself and there may be biases here, Fox comes across as honest and humble. He highlights his life and lets us know what he was thinking and feeling during each of those events. Concerning his successes, he takes you to the point where he got there and then moves on, not dwelling on those high points. He seems to want us to know how he has grown and changed from his experiences.Early in the book he says that if he could have stayed the person he was before getting Parkinson's, and then didn't get Parkinson's, that he wouldn't go back to that other guy. He feels that he has grown so much in a positive way from his post Parkinson's diagnosis experiences. And I believe him.I can't say that I was really a Fox fan when I bought this book. I only got it because it was the cheap Kindle deal of the day and thought it would be an interesting read. The most I had seen of him was on Family Ties. I must say I did like that show at the time. I remember when I first saw him on the show (it was the episode where he made some great investments in the stock market) that I thought he did have "something." It seemed like he was stealing the show and of course everyone else thought so too!Anyway, after reading the book I'm interested in checking him out in other stuff. He makes you feel like you kind of know him and as a result you are curious about his other performances. At least that's how he affected me.There is a lot of meat in this book. His struggle with Parkinson's is just part of it. I can't really cover all the good things here. If you want an inspiring and interesting read I would recommend this for you.

If you manage to go your entire life without reading this book then I’m not sure you managed well.It’s hilariously emotional but ultimately inspiring. Take a man who has everything (and knows it), give him a grounded, loving wife and a disease that, after many years, finally makes him classify himself as a ‘Lucky Man’ and your outlook on life has changed along with him.Michael J. Fox turns the ‘magical’ celebrity world upside down in his memoir and touches the heart of even the most unknown person.It’s riveting and I just couldn't put it down (and I didn't want to).Favorite Quote:‘Stubbornly, I clung to fantasies of escape, hoping against hope that somehow my diagnosis would turn out to be a mistake. Or, better yet, having defied the odds by being one of a tiny population of young adults with Parkinson’s, I would further defy the odds by being the only reported case of the condition magically disappearing. I’d have a couple of symptom-free days, let’s say, then Tracy would casually drop that she’d switched toothpastes—did I notice the difference?—and I’d slap my forehead and say, ‘Jesus, honey, the toothpaste! That was it! You’ve cured me!’ I know it sounds nuts, but hey, you’ve read the first half of the book" (147).

This book is completely worthy of a 5 star rating for its honesty and complete openness from the very first page. Despite Michael J Fox's battle with PD this is not a sad or depressive story, it's a very real, funny, inspiring and heartfelt journey that Michael invites you to take alongside him. He reveals himself to be not only courageous, but equally shy and witty at the same time. It's very informative about Parkinson's Disease but at the same time being an intensely personal journey. It's an insight into his deeply personal life before and after the PD began to take over his young, optimistic, extremely successful life. I work at a hospital in the pharmacy department so I know a little about PD, especially the drug side of it, but this book has shown me how little I really know of the disease itself and how time consuming and unique it is to each and every sufferer. A huge thank you to Michael J Fox for allowing us to visit his world and share his highs and lows and to laugh and cry with him as the search for a cure continues.

Like many people, the film Back to the Future brought Michael J. Fox into my life and ever since I've kinda been a fan. I'd like to add here that I dislike autobiographies with `the passion'; of the ten or so I've felt compelled to read, I've always found them mind bogglingly dull. The factual candour irritates me so much that I call them `Alan books', named after Steve Coogan's brilliant alter-ego Alan Partridge. In Partridge's autobiography `Bouncing Back' Alan would seemingly always end a passage with the phrase "....needless to say I had the last laugh." I find this so true of the autos that I've read that I always promise myself "NEVER AGAIN WILL MY EYES FALL UPON AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY!" Sorry to digress there.So there I am wondering what to read next, when my brother hands me MJF's autobiography; when I came around some ten minutes later, I said to my brother "what are you doing with a book?" "I thought you might want this; I thought it would be an interesting read." Well it certainly was folks, but it was also quite shocking. You discover a great deal about Michael's big break in TV and film, his disastrous first encounter with his future wife, how he was snubbed by Cher, his taste for Mousehead beer and of course his battle with PD.Michael wasn't a rich kid, with well connected parents in Hollywood's casting corridors; instead you'll find something that's quite the opposite. The book is not dreary, it's quite educational and a real eye opener into what PD has done to enrich this great actor. I recommend this book for two reasons: how the human spirit can overcome adversity and what it means to have people around you in times of great anxiety. Speaking from personal experience I can completely relate to both.A lot of autobiography's will be a waste of your time, but this one will leave you richer and wiser.

This is a candid memoir and account about Michael J. Fox's career and struggle with Parkinson's disease which has affected his career and life so profoundly. Michael was the prime star in the television series Family Ties and the Back to the Future movies to name some of his work. He concealed this disease from the public until 1998 when he revealed the news after a seven-year secret battle with it.He details his first symptoms of Parkinson's disease that eventually led to early retirement from his show, Spin City. His Canadian background, marriage to Tracy Pollan and his four children are exposed with pride. Michael has considered the last ten years as his most happiness despite the fact he has this incurable disease. He manages the struggles with a sense of humor and acceptance.This self-described army brat who loves hockey, a strong drink and creative writing exhibits his witty persona in this memoir. Fox's main plight now is raising awareness and funds to combat Parkinson's disease.I found this book to be an intimate and touching acocunt of the ups and downs of his career and coming to terms with the dieasese. Reading about his strength and his weaknesses in such an open mannor is almost intimate in a way and for me I found it a truely worthwhile read which sits with me still now. I will be getting his seocnd book in due course and it just goes to show you never truly know what people are dealing with on a day to day basis.

If you have or have had Parkinson's in your life then this book is a reflection of all that is painful, debilitating, and frustrating about this disease; but it is also the passion, willpower, and refusal to give in that can typify living with it. If you have never been touched by Parkinson's then this book is a lesson in humanity overcoming the human condition at its most unfair.It is really the human story that shines through in this book. It is well written and interesting in its detail (particularly if Back to the Future is your generational barometer), but it is the emotional resonance that truly takes hold. This is a man who has found himself only in the worst of circumstances, and is determined that others should not face the same challenge, or at least not alone until a Parkinson's cure is found.You will not regret reading this book.

I am often fearful of reading autobiographies as I choose those that I am a fan of and it can result in me no longer enjoying their work when I find out more about them and their personalities. I am glad to say that after reading this, I am now a bigger fan of Michael J Fox. A wonderful read from a humble and respectful person.