Time of My Life
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Time of My Life

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87  ·  rating details  ·  1,157 ratings  ·  284 reviews
In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Swayze has made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion and fearlessness, he's become 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 brin

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Audio CD, Abridged, 5 pages
Published September 29th 2009 by Simon & Schuster Audio (first published January 1st 2009)
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Miss Kim
I really enjoyed this biography. I fell for Mr. Swayze as a teen when he popped on my TV screen for a week as Orry Maine in North and South. I’d seen his work prior, in movies like The Outsiders, and Red Dawn, but it wasn’t until the TV mini-series did he catch this young girl’s heart.

For those that may be put off reading this because they fear it will be too sad, do not fear. This is well written book that I feel really shows how much he really lived his life to the fullest. There...more
Dawn
I had no idea that Patrick Swayze had done so much in his life. I always loved him because "Dirty Dancing" is one of my favorite movies and I love "Ghost" and "Point Break" as well. Of course, I knew that he was an actor and a dancer, but I had no idea that he was so talented in so many other areas. I will discuss some of these further, under the spoiler section, so you can skip them if you would like.

One thing that really resonated with me was his obvious...more
Sarah
Like many women in this country, I was once a 12-year-old girl obsessed with the movie Dirty Dancing, so I was among those saddened by Patrick Swayze's pancreatic cancer diagnosis in early 2008. Whether you loved Dirty Dancing or any of his other movies, Swayze's fans can take heart in the book he and his wife decided to write during his illness.

Swayze's likability oozes out of every page. While a very successful person in many sport and dramatic ventures (nearly got a football schola...more
Tina
July 6, 2010 - The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi

I've always liked the actor Patrick Swayze and after reading his biography I understand why. I first saw him in the break-out movie The Outsiders, alongside the soon-to-be "Brat Pack" actors Ralph Macchio, Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Rob Lowe and Emilio Estevez, all of whom went on to have highly successful careers. I also enjoyed his performances in the civil war epic North and South and of course Dirty Da...more
Amy Bailey
I've always thought Swayze was a wonderful actor and someone who unjustly was viewed as a hunky fluff actor. He wasn't given near enough roles throughout his life that truly allowed him to shine for the artist that he was. Don't get me wrong, I still love "Dirty Dancing," and I think "Ghost" was one of the best films ever made. The latter film was one of the few in which he truly got to exhibit his talent for drama. This book was very disheartening. When he wrote it with...more
Kyndra
"One of the most important themes in my life is learning how to seek out another dream when one dies. Too many people get swallowed by disappointment when their dream doesn't work out, and I have always made sure I wasn't one of those people."

Wow. This quote really hit a nerve. I truly believe that people get wrapped up in their dreams and goals. Patrick told me something that I desperately needed to here, that it is okay to move on. He taught me that sometimes, it is more ...more
Sarah
A 4 1/2 Star Book...

I don't think I've ever beeen depressed in any way about a celebrity - until I first heard Patrick Swayze had pancreatic cancer. I cried. Instantly. Swayze was one of the top 5, if not first, major pop culture influences on my life. He taught me about the birds and the bees, macho men, drag queens, etc. I've probably seen Dirty Dancing at least 100 times since it first came out. I've seen Road House, Next of Kin, and To Wong Foo UPTEEN times. I watched City ...more
Kerste
Kerste rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition
Recommends it for: Patrick Swayze fans
As a big fan of Dirty Dancing, Ghost, Too Wong Foo... and even Black Dog, I wanted to read this book as soon as I saw it. But knowing that Patrick was fighting a losing battle with cancer, I was a bit reluctant. Overall, it is a sweeping journey through his life. I learned all sorts of things about him that I didn't know, but it was clearly written by people who don't write. Often parts were almost regurgitated from one part of the book to another. More often than not, I was left with a fee...more
Becky R.
I've always loved Patrick Swayze and his work, loved his passion for life, and loved his absolute dedication to the people closest to him. To me, he was a wonderful, surprising man of conviction in an industry that often lack such qualities.

Having said that, and knowing some of his background already, I was so touched to learn more about his life. In his autobiography, The Time of My Life, Patrick Swayze reveals many of what he felt were vulnerable aspect of his character, which includ...more
Suebee
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
Nikki-ann
We learn of Patrick's upbringing and his love for his father and determination to be the best that he can at whatever he's doing. Patrick tells us how Lisa became the love of his life, of his problems with alcohol and how it nearly destroyed their relationship. Not only do we get "behind the scenes" on Patrick's personal life, but we also get behind the scenes of a number of films - what went on on the set and off it - as well as how hard Patrick worked to get jobs and how or why he ch...more
Lisse
I really enjoyed reading about Patrick Swayze's life. I grew up watching his movies and have loved his characters in Dirty Dancing and the Outsiders for years. This is not the most well written book - Swayze never said he was a writer, except for a songwriter, and he knew he was up against time with this book. It is a very quick read - I finished it in two days and felt I got a good sense of who he was - demons and all. I enjoyed learning about some of the things that went on during his diff...more
Mandy
I haven't read many [auto] biographies, however, since I have started working on family history, writing and reading family stories I have been attracted to them lately. I was at the library with the kiddo's, waiting for them to pick out their books and I saw this one on the return shelf and decided to give it a try. To be honest, I only knew Patrick Swayze from Dirty Dancing and Ghost so I wasn't a huge fan, but I have good memories watching those movies over and over with girlfriends.
...more
Христо Блажев
Патрик Суейзи и неговият красив, но и болезнен танц с живота
http://www.knigolandia.info/2011/03/0.ht...

Рядко книга е променяла толкова мнението ми за някого, Всъщност, когато гледах (насила) за първи път “Мръсни танци” някъде миналата година, се изсмях на лековатия сюжет. Затова и когато научих, че ще пускаме книга за Суейзи, проявих общо взето нулев интерес. По стечение на обстоятелствата обаче се наложи да нанасям корекции по текста. Изненадващо за самия мен, написаното з...more
Mark
Written just before his death (which adds real poignancy to his later comments about fighting the cancer), this is a brisk run through the life of someone I only really knew as an actor/dancer but who was, in fact, so much more. Following him from early childhood and right up to the end, this includes some nice background information on his films, but the brevity of it all was disappointing - I wanted to know more. Chiming with that is my one criticism - virtually everybody he knows or meets i...more
Snogged
My aunt got me this book for Christmas and honestly, I wasn't sure if I'd like it. For starters, I've never been a die-hard Swayze fan and could only call to mine one of his most famous movies ("Dirty Dancing.") I also had a close friend of mine lose her battle to brain cancer and I knew that part of this book would be about Patrick's struggle with pancreatic cancer. As you can see from the rating though, this book took me by surprise. I felt that I learned so much about his life and t...more
Staci
My heart started to beat a little bit faster when I heard Patrick's voice filling up the silence in my car as I was driving to work. I have loved this man since he rode up on his white horse as Orry Main in the mini-series North and South. I was sixteen and he was gorgeous beyond belief. From there I continued to be a huge fan of his and never missed a movie that he starred in. When I heard the news last year of his pancreatic cancer I was saddened immediately. It didn't surprise me though, that...more
Lisa
Lisa rated it 4 of 5 stars
In 1984 I watched a movie called Red Dawn starring Patrick Swayze and I developed an instant crush. Three years later came Dirty Dancing and my crush turned to full on LUST! Patrick Swayze was the sexiest man alive as far as I was concerned. I've lost count as to how many times I've seen that movie, not to mention how many times I wished I could be Jennifer Grey for five minutes! When I heard about his pancreatic cancer diagnosis, I was heartbroken. Having lost a friend to this brutal form of ca...more
Margot
Margot rated it 2 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2010, audio-books, memoir
Warning: the audio version of this book is abridged.

I didn't realize they even did abridgements anymore, let alone that I was listening to one--until they very end of the book.

I have to say that I won't be reading the printed version, to see what I missed. It just isn't worth a second go-round. The memoir follows Patrick Swayze's life from childhood up until about a year before his death in 2009. His being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer is part of what inspired him to ...more
Brandy
This was a good read, and as I have said many times before when I am leaving my review, I DO wish that they had HALF stars as this one would have received 3.5 stars.
I enjoyed reading about the journey that both Patrick and Lisa went on through their lives together. I like that they both met so young, and stuck it out through the hard times. It's a wonder that these two never let the "Hollywood Curse" overtake them and end up in divorce like most other celebrities.
Both are m...more
Fennecgirl
If you can find the audiobook version of this, I highly suggest getting a copy.

I grew up watching Swayze on screen, and felt a tug at my heart when I heard of the cancer. His situation really hit home for me as pictures of him near the end surfaced - having lost my own father to cancer, the similarities in their physical appearances stunned me. I knew reading the book alone wouldn't be enough for me, and waited until I was able to indulge in the audio version.

I am glad I...more
Catherine Savoie
I think this book was amazing. It talked about finding true love at a young age, going for your dream, keeping a marriage together, and when Patrick got sick the bond between him and his wife and sticking by him. It was a touching story and i think that alot of people would enjoy it. The reason that this book is memorizing is not many people see inside the life of patick swayze they only see what is published in magizines and tabloids. This is an inside story about what really went on and how it...more
Jenny Conatser
I usually don't care about memoirs, unless they are funny or written by weird people (Steven Tyler), but I truly loved this book. The writing is much better than I ever expected it to be and, in parts, simply beautiful. When my dad let me borrow the book, I had a marginal interest in Patrick Swayze's life. I loved Dirty Dancing and Ghost, (geez, who doesn't!?)and I was saddened when he died, but I'd never really "invested" in Mr. Swayze's life or career. I had no idea of his talents of...more
Stephanie Burkhart
Authors Patrick Swayze and his wife, Lisa Niemi share their thoughts, life, and love in a bittersweet and poignant memoir with "The Time of my Life." Written before he died, Swayze shares the many insights he learned living life and the hardest battle he ever fought - pancreatic cancer.

The novel opens with a prologue. One section is written by Swayze, the other by Niemi. Immediately, the love Swayze has for his wife shines through. She is the force behind him, his guiding sta...more
Emily
I thought that because her name was also listed as an author we would get some of Lisa's views and her reactions to things. I expected this to be a book about how AS A COUPLE they delt with his illness and thier life together. But no, it's all Partick all the time. And it's all how great he is. First he's the best football player, than the best gymnist, then ballet dancer, actor, martial artist, musician, stuntman, equestrian, on and on and on ENOUGH! Sorry if I wasn't wooed by 'The Swayze ...more
Steve
I'm not usually one for reading biographies and memoirs, I've read a few. This book wasn't an impulse buy, it was more of a coincidence. I'd been reading about Swayze and his battle with cancer the night before. The next day I call into a bookstore and it's there staring at me ;)

I must admit, after reading the first 3 chapter's the first night, I found it an engrossing read. It covers Swayze's life from early on, beginning with his childhood. It is a very interesting read and very w...more
Lori
Yes, I sought out this book from the library so I could read it while it was still hardcover. It is not that I have been specifically interested in Patrick, but since his phenomenal battle with cancer, I just wanted to "hear" what he had to say.

The book was not frilly or written as literary prose. It was straight forward and it was a great approach to the book. I just enjoyed reading some of his thoughts and recollections of movies he has made, people he worked with, and e...more
Anna
This is another one of those books that make me wish I was doing something with my life. He managed to pack so much living into 57 years, that while he died too young, it doesn't seem like such a waste. I had to keep reminding myself that he was dead, because his voice is so vibrant as he tells his story, I found it hard to believe he was gone. At times it seemed a little too good to be true. He excelled at so many things, and he talks about his talents in great detail, to the point that his...more
Helen
I've been a fan since 'North and South' and 'Dirty Dancing' days and so was looking forward to reading this. It didn't disappoint. Although it was really poignant and bittersweet to read as Patrick is no longer here, it was an enjoyable, interesting and inspirational autobiography. I found out a lot i didn't know eg regarding all the injuries he suffered and the pain he had to live with as a result. I'm surprised he could walk, let alone dance! And the drinking and depression, thwarted dreams an...more
Aurora Fitzrovia
Obwohl ich normalerweise keine Biographien lese, musste ich bei Herrn Swayze eine Ausnahme machen und ich habe es sehr, sehr gerne gelesen.
Ich fand es gut, dass sich nur der Anfang und das letzte Kapitel mit seiner Krebserkrankung beschäftigen, und man ansonsten die Chance bekommt, den Schauspieler selbst kennen zu lernen, seine Familie und kurze Einblicke in sein gesamtes Leben haben konnte, zumindest soweit es auf 250 Seiten ging. Ich hatte den Eindruck, dass Patrick Swayze locker noch me...more
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Patrick Wayne Swayze was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best-known for his roles as romantic leading men in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was listed by People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.

Diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008, Swayze told Barbara W...more
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“When those you love die, the best you can do is honor their spirit for as long as you live. You make a commitment that you're going to take whatever lesson that person or animal was trying to teach you, and you make it true in your own life... it's a positive way to keep their spirit alive in the world, by keeping it alive in yourself.” 44 people liked it
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