Always Looking Up

The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist

By: Michael J. Fox

Narrated by: Michael J. Fox

Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

There are many words to describe Michael J. Fox: Actor. Husband. Father. Activist. But listeners of Always Looking Up will soon add another to the list: Optimist. Michael writes about the hard-won perspective that helped him see challenges as opportunities. Instead of building walls around himself, he developed a personal policy of engagement and discovery: an emotional, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual outlook that has served him throughout his struggle with Parkinson's disease.

Michael's exit from a very demanding, very public arena offered him the time and the inspiration to open up new doors leading to unexpected places. One door even led him to the center of his own family, the greatest destination of all.

Always Looking Up is a memoir of Michael's past decade, told through the critical themes of his life: work, politics, faith, and family. The book is a journey of self-discovery and reinvention, and a testament to the consolations that protect him from the ravages of Parkinson's.

With the humor and wit that captivated fans in his first book, Lucky Man, Michael describes how he became a happier, more satisfied person by recognizing the gifts of everyday life.

©2009 Michael J. Fox (P)2009 Hyperion

Ok

Liked listening.........just not too much realness and truth telling that you are normally looking for in a memoir

Great listen and very inspirational.

I found listening to Michael J Fox read his book very easy and enjoyable. His use of the language makes him give better insight to his story. I found this book to be very motivational because of what he deals with on a daily basis, and what he gets done in spite of it; just makes one realize that if a man suffering with P.D. can do all this and still be such an optimist, surely I can do more and enjoy more.

A fresh graduates perspective

This book is beautifully written. The memoir is a personal look into the last fifteen years of Fox's life. A very humbling story that is very inspirational.

Fox had had an inspiring , incredible journey.

his story is so empowering and enlightens. So positive through tragedy that could break others.

Kind Of All Over The Place

I was a teenager when Fox was doing is teenage stuff in film, so he was someone that I very much respected, so I picked up this audiobook to learn more about his life.

The first thing to understand about this book is that it's mostly (but not entirely) focused on his life since his parkinson's disease diagnosis. So most of the book is about how he copes with PD and also his efforts in setting up a foundation to seek a cure. While I did find this interesting, I picked up this book to learn more about Fox and his life, and what I got was a lot about PD and the politics of stem cell research.

That said, there is a lot of good stuff in there too. Like I mentioned, we learn about how Fox copes with PD, we learn about his wife, and his kids and some of his acting gigs since he's had PD. The book is also odd because it's not even close to being presented chronologically. The narrative constantly ping-pongs back and forth in time which can be very disorienting for the listener.

Anyhow, I'm glad that I listened to the book, but I can't say it was entirely enjoyable or held my interest. I wish him well in his charity foundation, but after all the gruesome detail about tons of political races and their stem-cell implications, that whole thing seems to have come to nothing, leaving me wondering why it took up so much of his book.

Inspiring

I am Michael's age, mother of twins...the twins have PNKD, an episodic neuromuscular movement disorder. Michael's public awareness movement has indirectly improved our lives and the ability people to understand dyskenesias and other movements. We call them brain hiccups. Thank you Michael, for living large and moving through your life journey with others in mind, for making a difference. Your interview with Katie was a big Ah Ha moment for the world...for teachers who before the interview didn't believe our twins' condition...thank you!

He is amazing

I have nothing to complain about. I hear his gratitude despite his disease and I feel embarassed.

Very inspirational

I would preface by saying that I have always been a fan of Mr Fox and his acting abilities. By listening to his story about his battles with Parkinson’s and alcohol, I was impressed with the depth of his humanity. His story is inspirational in terms of his and his family’s courage but his take-the-bull-by-the horns approach to research to combat his PD. May he find the cure that he is looking for.

Well done Michael J Fox

I & my husband loved the book laughed out loud for parts ; smiled thru most ; enjoyed all of it , refreshing to the end . As he Diced up his life , you went thru the experience with him

Inspiring Individual

I’ve always like Michael J Fox. Remember watching him on Family Ties and as a teenager, fell in love with him. He is so much more than that though. He is a truly inspiring individual. I’m on a quest to listen to all his books. I can no longer read as I am losing my sight but enjoy listening to him read to me his books. He’s more than an actor to me, he’s an inspiration.