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Mar 17, 2009

Susan added it

Part memoir, part political argument, part medical story, this is a well-written, touching, intellectually-stimulating...erm...book. Surprise! It's a book!

1 comment like (5 people liked it)

Jan 10, 2011

Dixie rated it:

I read this book for the 2nd time because I admire his optimism and enjoy his outlook on life. I wanted to start the New Year out on a positive note! The book covers his last season of Spin City, when he realized he needed to retire and how it was a difficult choice, but the right one. He then became very involved in pushing for stem cell research and speaking out on behalf of all those who suffer various diseases, especially Parkinson's. It is amazing how his marriage became even stronger thro More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Jun 25, 2009

Cathy rated it:

I loved this book! Listening to it as an audio book really added a lot to the experience; hearing Michael's stories in his own voice was terrific. I learned a lot about Michael, from his perspective on family life to his growth in his career. Did you guys know that Tracy is Jewish and that the family (including Michael) has been very involved in a Reform temple in NY since his son was born? Of course, a chunk of the book deals with his illness and how he deals with that, but the book is about mu More...

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Mar 04, 2011

NG rated it:

If only I could be as clear-headed, positive, open, and thoughtful in my every day life as this author is as he battles a deadly disease. ALWAYS LOOKING UP is not a celebrity memoir. It is considered journey through the past ten years of living life with Parkinson's Disease. But it isn't a downer or heavy on the medical details. Fox shows instead how living with PD has affected the way he views family, faith, life, and politics. And he writes eloquently and movingly on each topic and is a fantas More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 27, 2011

Victor rated it:

Another great example of a real life story of a famous actor who over comes adversity with amazing resiliency. Michael J. Fox share intimate every day obstacles in his life and how he faces each one always looking up.

His anecdotes of working with and schmoozing with famous people in all walks of life is fun to read as well.

Part of the book is definitely dedicated to activism and makes a strong case for Stem Cell Research all be it from a self declared biased perspective More...

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Jan 29, 2011

Jinky rated it:

This is the second autobiography that Mr. Fox (kinda weird to be so formal considering I had posters of him all over my bedroom wall as a giddy teenager) wrote. The first titled Lucky Man, which I haven't read. This one basically memoirs his life after retiring from his hit TV sitcom, Spin City in 2000. He divided this book into four parts: work, politics, faith, and family.

Non-fiction books can be a tedious read so finding an interesting subject becomes essential. Needless to More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Mar 30, 2010

Lavonne rated it:

Michael J. Fox has every reason to be depressed and bitter, yet he takes the opposite view of everything and everyone in his life. I found this biography much better written than others I have recently read, but I do believe he had a ghost writer. That's okay, it's still an amazing narative of an amazing journey.

I truly enjoyed his views on other celebs, such as Muhammad Ali, a man who is still performing magic tricks to amuse others despite the ravages of Parkinson's, or Robin Willi More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jan 10, 2010

Jason rated it:

When I eat lunch out by myself during the work week so I can read a book, I typically expect to be left alone. Having your head stuck in a book is not a smile at someone to encourage interaction.

But reading Always Looking Up with its author Michael J Fox on the cover while out last week caused two people to stop me to share a brief story! One man likely had Parkinson's disease (PD), and noted that he had read Michael J Fox's first book and was eager to read the one I held; the ot More...

0 comments like (5 people liked it)

Jan 07, 2010

Nikki-ann rated it:

Always Looking Up is a very fitting title to this, the 2nd autobiography by Michael J. Fox. He's a short man, so he's "always looking up", but it's not just that... He's also eternally optimistic and full of hope.

Michael J. Fox is... was... a Hollywood actor cut short (sorry!) in his prime by a devastating disease... Parkinson's Disease. But he's decided that he isn't going to let that stop him! While acting is increasingly difficult to do with the symptoms of PD (Parkinson More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Nov 14, 2009

Debbie rated it:

Whether you remember him as Alex P. Keaton, Marty McFly, or Mike Flaherty...Michael J. Fox has had many labels in his life...actor, husband, father, activist and now optimist. This book follows the chapter of his life that began about 10 years ago when he retired from Spin City to start the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in the hopes of helping to find a cure for Parkinson's.

His humor comes thru even as he writes about things he has encountered in these past ten More...

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Oct 20, 2009

Ichaerus rated it:

I don't know what I was expecting when I picked this up, but it certainly wasn't what I got. I know the subtitle is "Adventures of an Incurable Optimist", but I didn't realize just how fully that phrase embodies Fox and the way he lives his life.

I have not read Fox's other book, and to be honest, I always thought he was just kind of a walking joke. Good with humor, but not much else. I admit I was saddened when he announced publicly that he had Parkinson's, and that he w More...

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Oct 09, 2009

Nekouken added it

My grandmother bought this book to give to her son (my uncle), who had recently been diagnosed with Parkinson's. MJF's ability to function and remain boyishly charming despite being a fifty-year-old with a degenerative nerve disease is impressive enough that his story in his own words is sure to inspire. I read the first half of it before she was able to give it to him. I finished it when a lady I'm dating gave it to me as a book exchange (I had given her [Darkly Dreaming Dexter:] on our seco More...

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Jul 16, 2009

McKay rated it:

I found the title of this book to be very deceiving...either that, or I missed the whole concept. Regardless, I did enjoy many parts of this book. I appreciate Michael's unwavering dedication to stem cell research and finding cures for many of the diseases and injuries that many of our loved ones battle on a daily basis. I also appreciated the great chapters about his family and the importance of just letting our children go and discover things on their own. Being in education, I see far too More...

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Jun 03, 2009

rjp316 rated it:

Found most of the book to be very boring. I admire Fox for not letting PD take rule his life and using his celebrity status to bring money and research to find a cure. However most of this book was not very personal or about been in optimistic person – it was about how he created his foundation and the politics involved – especially lobbying of stem cell research (which I do not support – embryonic that is other kinds are fine). His section on faith – was not really about what type of faith h More...

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Sep 17, 2009

Kim rated it:

When I was younger, I always wished that Alex P. Keaton was my older brother. There was something magnetic about Michael J. Fox's personality even then. Reading this book (and his first book from several years ago) made me love him even more. The title of the book is perfect because if there is anything that comes through in this book, it is that he is incredibly optimistic. Even though he is realistic about his Parkinson's, he maintains this infectious hope that you can just tell has a huge More...

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Jun 13, 2009

Claudia rated it:

It is an unbelievably personal, poignant, and moving book. He describes four pillars in his life: Work, Politics, Faith, and Family. In each he describes people he’s met, ranging from “ordinary” people to Lance Armstrong to George Stephanopoulos to Muhammad Ali to Pete Townsend and Bruce Springsteen (the latter two of which he’s played guitar on stage with). Each story, each place, each memory is replete with humor, grace, and truthfulness. He describes his personal daily struggles with Parkinso More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 23, 2010

Ken rated it:

One of a handful of celebrities with the misfortune to be stricken with PD, he has turned his situation into a battle cry to fight the disease. This short bio explains what this journey has meant to his career and family, while forcing him into the unfamiliar territory of politics. It's amazing that he's able to stay positive and keep his humor, but after finishing this book it becomes much clearer. He obviously loves his family and is a determined soul. It's the same determination that dr More...

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Apr 07, 2009

Mr. Z rated it:

As a kid, I admired Michael J. Fox for his role as a likable, honest and funny star of “Family Ties.” I didn’t realize it then, but I was witnessing one of America’s last true role models as it entered a more modern era of surprisingly low standards among celebrity lessons geared toward the youth.

As a teenager, I admired Michael J. Fox for his role as an adventurous, humorous, modest, skateboarding, guitar-playing, girl-getting famous actor in his “Back to the Future” trilogy of movi More...

0 comments like (4 people liked it)

Jul 26, 2011

Ronald rated it:

A rather light but inspiring book from a well-liked celebrity who is confronted with an increasingly debilitating disease, forcing an essential end to the career he loves and the necessity of sheer determination to perform even the basic daily tasks.

This book was well balanced in its blend of medical details, celebrity insider information, and political concerns. Fox seems to be pleasantly surprised by the celebrity status he had reached, and his reaction to his Parkinson's Disease dia More...

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Sep 06, 2011

Chezon rated it:

It was a lot more political than I assumed it would be. There were also a number of unexpected religious passages. I got it hoping to be inspired. It doesn't disappoint. However, it was not the type of inspiration I thought I would receive. He doesn't offer colorful insights into how to live your life better. Instead, he openly discusses the transformation his life has taken: from being a reckless young Hollywood actor, to being a family man with Parkinson, to becoming a spokesperson for Parkins More...

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Mar 05, 2011

John rated it:

In Michael J. Fox's movies, I loved how he was always able to play unassuming, normal characters and then inject them with a certain heroic quality that I think arose from his own inner-passions and zest for life. He radiated "cool" in a seemingly effortless way, which is a nice change of pace from the usual sexed-up, overly made-up, unlikeable crop of young actors that have become the norm in Hollywood. Unfortunately, in this, Fox's second book, he comes across as every inch the cel More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

May 09, 2009

Amanda rated it:

Fox intrigues me simply because he went the opposite direction with his Parkinson's diagnosis than my dad did with his. After reading this book, I'm more impressed than ever. Fox began exhibiting symptoms of PD when he was 29 but brushed them off as overexertion. The actual PD diagnosis brought a some depression and a time of keeping it to himself. He continued to act on Spin City until the symptoms just couldn't be contained anymore.

This book is divided up into 4 sections: Work, Po More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 13, 2009

Kathy rated it:

I have always been a Michael J. Fox fan and loved his first book- Lucky Man. I enjoyed this second effort as well, although it was a bit dry when compared to the first. He is a remarkable person and provides valuable lessons that anyone can learn and take to heart.
The lack of chronological sequence was annoying at times, but about 1/3 of the way in I did adjust and it became easier to follow his idea development. He examines the four areas of his life- his professional career, poli More...

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Sep 12, 2010

Jen rated it:

One of our good family friends -- a man who's known me since Day 1 (literally) -- has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I've seen recent interviews with Michael J. Fox -- watched him bob, sway and twitch with the displaced energy of dyskinesias, and I have to admit that the movements intrigued me. How does this unplanned, un-wished-for movement make HIM feel?

"Always Looking Up" isn't the first of MJF's books. His career as an author began with "Lucky Man," wh More...

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Sep 16, 2009

Jessica (j*&p*) rated it:

Wow, this book was a really big surprise for me. I think I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. I've always found Michael J. Fox likeable. Plus after my Grandpa's struggle with and eventual death from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, I've really appreciated and admired the advocacy work that Michael J. Fox has done for Parkinson's research.

I suspected that I might enjoy this book, but I was crying within the first 25 pages reading about the daily routine necessary to live with the unpredi More...

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Jan 27, 2011

Candy rated it:

When I was a teenager, I had the biggest crush on Marty McFly. He was cute, a little bit of a dork and he had a super rad car... and, ya know, he could travel through time. Hello! He was totally going to be my boyfriend.

I've always been a fan of Michael J Fox. He is amazingly talented and always seemed humble and a genuinely nice guy. You know how you see an interview with an actor and you immediately know they are a complete buttmunch? Yeah, no such buttmunchatitude came from MJF that More...

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May 05, 2009

Meghan rated it:

I had a crush on Michael J. Fox starting at a very young age due to watching him every week on 'Family Ties'. As I got older I was still always a fan. When I read his first book 'Lucky Man' I grew to greatly respect the man as well. Reading his latest book, has just solidified that respect. He is such a great guy! and is blessed with a wonderful wife, kids, mother and siblings. I think he's someone that never got sucked into the whole Hollywood scene--when he really could have due to his success More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 08, 2010

Jake rated it:

Michael J Fox has tackled Parkinson’s disease with the same tenacity and adeptness that he first applied to comedic acting on Family Ties. Though I loved his first memoir Lucky Man, I didn’t rush out and grab a copy of this new book. Now, having just finished listening to the abridged audio recording while road tripping, I’m glad I didn’t miss it.

This new book, far from being rehash or forced fluff, takes the reader into the adventure Mr. Fox has been on since going public with his More...

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Nov 28, 2009

Lana rated it:

I really enjoyed Always Looking Up. It is a fun read with lots of humor, some info on stem cell research, some touching moments about adapting to Parkinson’s disease as well as touching moments involving his family.

The book is divided into sections on Work, Politics, Faith and Family. The section on faith didn’t seem as well formed as the sections on work, politics and family. Although maybe that results from his views on faith being less well formed that his views on the other topi More...

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Apr 15, 2009

Irene rated it:

A really easy and satisfying read. Always Looking Up picks up where Lucky Man leaves off, both in content and time. Once again, I am struck by Michael J. Fox's writing abilities. He writes with grace and wit, even humor (especially when he writes about being a father). As in Lucky Man, he jumps around chronologically, so you really want to read the date at the beginning of each passage, if you want to put events into context.

This book focuses primarily on Fox's experiences with Parki More...

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

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