The Time of My Life

By: Patrick Swayze, Lisa Niemi

Narrated by: Patrick Swayze

Length: 5 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

2010 Audie Award Finalist for Audiobook of the Year

In a career spanning more than 30 years, the late Patrick Swayze made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion and fearlessness, he became one of our most beloved actors.

But in February 2008, Patrick announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, he refused to let the disease bring him to his knees, and his bravery inspired both his legion of fans and cancer patients everywhere.

Yet this memoir, written with wisdom and heart, recounts much more than his bout with cancer. In vivid detail, Patrick describes his Texas upbringing, his personal struggles, his rise to fame with North and South, his commercial breakthroughs in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and the soul mate who's stood by his side through it all: his wife, writer and director Lisa Niemi.

A behind-the-scenes look at a Hollywood life and a remarkable love, this memoir is both entertainment and inspiration. Patrick and Lisa's marriage was a journey of two lives intertwined and lived as one--throughout their years in Hollywood and at home on their working ranch outside Los Angeles, and culminating in the hope and wisdom they've imparted to all who know and knew them.

This book will open the door for families, individuals, and husbands and wives to grow, bond, and discover entirely new levels of love and sharing, proving that life shouldn't be lived as a series of endings, but rather as the beginning of greater strength and love.

©2009 Troph Productions (P)2009 Simon & Schuster, Inc

Raw, intimate and Beautiful

What a beautiful, raw and intimate book. Brought tears and laughter throughout the book.

Wonderful story of Perseverance

Where does The Time of My Life rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the top due to its difficult but inspirational subject matter.

What other book might you compare The Time of My Life to and why?

None compare

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

His laughter and beautiful voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listened to this in one day.

Any additional comments?

The beginning of this book is hard to listen to since I just finished Worth Fighting For and knew the pain and fatigue that Patrick Swayze was feeling when he recorded the beginning of the book. It made it bittersweet to know he was in pain but it seemed that reliving his childhood and early years with his wife revived his spirit which helped his pain diminish. I loved hearing his talk about his early films. It was like reliving my early teenage years again! I had forgotten how vital a force he was during those formative years. The Outsiders was the first movie that really spoke to me. Who could forget Red Dawn and making someone drinking the blood of his first deer!?! North and South??? I don't think I missed an episode, even part III, which was pushing my attention span and dedication to its limit. And then we move onto to probably my favorite movies of Patrick's: Point Break. I loved his character Bodie and his lust for live and the extremes he would go to live life on the edge.
I hated to hear about his struggles in life: His knee injury really hurt his chances in life, but in a strange way, lead him to the be an actor. The drinking binges that was a result of his father dying, but kept reappearing whenever life became difficult. His dissolution of his own thought that the most depressed people he knew where ones who didn't know how to move on when a goal was not met, or even worse, was met and then didn't know where to go from there. And then his fight with cancer. He fought for so long! 21 months with pancreatic cancer is an amazing battle! Sure he lost the fight, but his perseverance to LIVE was astounding and wonderful to listen to.

great read

it was great to get Swayze personal story. He did a fine job reading it himself. He was one of the good ones.

Amazing story

I’ve always loved Patrick Swayze, but hearing him tell the story about his life and his wife, and also trials and tribulations and struggles he’s had before cancer made me love him even more he’s greatly missed

How much I miss Patrick

This was a great book and makes you miss him so much he was a good man and a fighter! Good speed

Inspiring

I wish this wasn't abridged but I still really felt inspired by this story. I love the honesty and even though it's sad it really helps you feel grateful for each day.

Sad, Sweet Memoir

An interesting read for fans of Swayze interested in a behind-the-scenes look at his career and struggles with cancer.

RIP Love you Patrick (Buddy) swayze

Loved hearing about the love ,Lisa and Patrick have for each other. I know Patrick that you are safe and will see Lisa again.

patrick

I found this book uplifting and interesting and multifaceted. Never knew Patrick was such an animal lover. I really have respect for him in all he has done in his short life.

Wonderful Book!

What made the experience of listening to The Time of My Life the most enjoyable?

Very interesting and honest. Especially memorable being narrated by Patrick himself.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved hearing him tell his entire life story with such truthfulness.

What about Patrick Swayze’s performance did you like?

So emotional and honest.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It was so moving & emotional to hear him talk about his final fight.

Any additional comments?

This is a must read!