Love Is the Cure

On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS

By: Elton John

Narrated by: Elton John

Length: 5 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Nominee, Nonfiction, 2013

In the 1980s, Elton John saw friend after friend, loved one after loved one, perish needlessly from AIDS. In the midst of the plague, he befriended Ryan White, a young Indiana boy ostracized by his town and his school because of the HIV infection he had contracted from a blood transfusion. Ryan's inspiring life and devastating death led Elton to two realizations: His own life was a mess. And he had to do something to help stop the AIDS crisis.

Since then, Elton has dedicated himself to overcoming the plague and the stigma of AIDS. He has done this through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised and donated $275 million to date to fighting the disease worldwide.

Love Is the Cure is Elton's personal account of his life during the AIDS epidemic, including stories of his close friendships with Ryan White, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and others, and the story of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. With powerful conviction and emotional force, Elton conveys the personal toll AIDS has taken on his life - and his infinite determination to stop its spread.

Elton writes, "This is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds, and through a collective effort to break down social barriers and to build bridges of compassion. Why are we not doing more? This is a question I have thought deeply about, and wish to answer - and help to change - by writing this book."

Sales of Love Is the Cure benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

©2012 Elton John (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"My friend Elton John has touched us all with his music and with the countless lives he has saved through his AIDS Foundation. Now he has given us a deeply personal story of struggle and perseverance in the fight against this terrible disease. Few people know more [than] Elton what it will take to end AIDS. His wonderful new book will convince you there's cause for hope - and inspire you to be part of the solution." (President Bill Clinton)

Eye-Opening Account Of A Worldwide Epidemic

I just participated in the AIDS Walk this fall in Philadelphia, but prior to doing so, I listened to this audiobook. I wanted to have a greater understanding of the AIDS epidemic and the best way to overcome it. Elton John's book did just that. It provided a clear overview of the current worldwide AIDS crisis, how we're addressing it and what we're failing to do.

Having Elton John narrate the book was a treat because it felt as though I was having a cup of coffee with him. However, since he's not a professional narrator, there were moments when his pacing was off and he'd awkwardly deliver a word. It wasn't a deal breaker, but it was noticeable.

This audiobook also provided me with a rare glimpse into Elton John's personal life and the demons he had to battle over the years. These tidbits humanized the music legend and provided a greater context for the AIDS work he does today.

If you're thinking about buying this book, I think you should go for it. It's a fascinating listen from start to finish about a disease that doesn't get the attention it deserves.

Far more to this man than a song and big bucks.

I have been a fan of Elton John for more years than I care to remember. I am pretty sure that most of us can 'hum' a song a lyric or two of his. As for the lyrics they are priceless but he admits we have his long time music partner to thank for those.

I have, often got a little irritated as this 'star' became somewhat over indulged and 'spoilt'.
This book gives us, the listener/reader a wonderful insight into a man who was saved by trying to alleviate the plight of another. Elton became Reg again and during that journey we are so lucky that he allows us to 'come along for the ride'.

He learns to really 'love' again. His life partner, a child, a dying young man, a brave Mother and a fine musician named Reg Dwight. By loving oneself you can let yourself love others and that love can do great and powerful things.

Illuminating look at Aids

Very compassionate and informative look at Aids from Elton John.
From the emergence of this epidemic in the 80's when these poor souls were cast out and
ostracised, to how things stand today.
A lot of work still remains to be done to combat this decease.
Attitudes are still a problem to overcome especially in the lesser developed countries.
Elton John continues to support this cause through his Aids Foundation.

WOW!

A MUST READ THIS BOOK TAUGHT ME SO MUCH, WOW! THIS BOOK SHOULD BE MANDATORY FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL TO LEARN ABOUT AIDS. VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE.

Elton John's moving story of his life.

Elton John gives us a candid look at his life full of cocaine and booze from 1974 until 1990. In that time period, he meets Ryan White and befriends him and his mother through Ryan’s harassment in Kokomo, Indiana where he contracts AIDS through a blood transfusion, and is treated badly by the town due to fear about, and misunderstanding of, AIDS in the 1980’s. When Ryan died, Elton John decides to get help for himself, but still needs the intervention of his lover who has gone to get help himself. Elton goes through rehab, kicks his habits, and finds he is fortunate not to have contracted the HIV virus. From 1990 to the present, he has worked to combat the spread of AIDS. He believes that if everyone who was HIV positive was offered the drugs that exist today, they could live AIDS-free for 20-30 years, and also cites a study that through the use of such drugs, the HIV virus is much less likely to be transferred to a partner. So he argues that by making medication available to anyone in the world who is HIV positive, and combining it with better support for people world-wide who are already sick, we could stop AIDS in its tracks even without finding a cure for the disease. It is an interesting book and it is clear that Elton John passionately believes his theory of love being the ultimate cure. Here is a book that couldn’t be narrated better by anyone but Elton John himself.

AIDS awareness

Would you try another book from Elton John and/or Elton John?

Yes.

Would you be willing to try another book from Elton John? Why or why not?

Yes. Interested in Elton John and his charitible interests.

Have you listened to any of Elton John’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is the only audiobook of his of which I am aware.

Was Love Is the Cure worth the listening time?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

To hear Elton John reading his own book emphasized the passion for which he has for continuing to bring awareness and finding a cure to AIDS.

A knight fighting against AIDS

Elton John is an absolute saint for all he has done to help eradicate AIDS. From all the money he gives, to the events he has, to the places all over the globe he visits to volunteer - this man has saved many lives. From the depths of his soul, Elton gives and gives and gives. Never was there a more generous human being on the planet. Every single cent from all of his singles goes towards EJAF. There are not many celebrities out there as generous as this man.

The stories he tells, in his own words, will leave you in tears. None of these stories is as touching as the angel that was Ryan White. If you ever want to humble yourself, go read up about Ryan and the turmoils he and his family endured.

There’s nothing quite like hearing Elton read his book, in his own words. This gives the audiobook a little something extra, in my opinion. You can hear the profound love in his voice.

Elton is my idol and this book is very important. Everyone could benefit from the message, if they just listen. Love is the cure and Elton has done his duty to humanity to spread this simple message.

I'll read anything read by Elton John.

I am blown away by the pure raw haterade Ryan and his family endured during his time of need. this book is educating and painful to process . John not only calls a spade a spade. He does it gracefully . Indulges in his personal life as to let the reader know where this love of humanity is coming from. John had a beautiful soul.

Where we’ve come

To hear the history behind the fight against AIDS is scary. Elton puts it in plain English so all can understand. Unfortunately, it will just make you mad when you here hoe government bureaucracy has gotten in the way.

Sir Elton's passionate mission to end AIDS

If you could sum up Love Is the Cure in three words, what would they be?

Informative, moving, and inspirational

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

His determination to educate, and financially assist, as many people and organizations as possible as to the spread/stopping of AIDS on a global level.

What does Elton John bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His emotion; his voice (it's impossible to think of anyone else but him as you listen.)

If you could give Love Is the Cure a new subtitle, what would it be?

Sir Elton's very personal battle of spreading compassion and education about AIDs to an audience of fear and ignorance; and, his determination to make the world understand that, in the end, love is all you need.

Any additional comments?

I love Sir Elton John - his music, his humor, and mostly, his heart!