Ramon (Martin Sheen) and Emilio Estevez have written a poignant joint-memoir that grew, seemingly organically, out of the movie they made together along the Camino de Santiago in Spain - the Estevez written/directed "The Way". The result explains the history of the Estevez clan's transformation from working class Dayton, OH to the theaters of New York to, eventually, Hollywood. The story is as surprising as it is inspirational - but the history is not all moonlight and roses. Sheen drags Emilio around the world and back again, often breaking down, and struggling with alcohol addiction and spirituality. Sheen never saw himself as a star, from the beginning needing to take the next job in order to keep his family fed and clothed. When Emilio becomes a star in his own right, largely on his own merit, he falls into the same trap as his father - needing to bring up young kids while attempting to navigate a budding Hollywood career. Instead of choosing a role, eventually the roles choose you. (Read: D2 - The Mighty Ducks).

Through it all the story of the making of The Way is interspersed with the interconnected life stories of both father and son. It is here where we see the fully formed characters, now generally triumphant over most of their lives' various, substantial hurdles, successful and in tune with the professional status they have achieved. Though the West Wing is not mentioned, what is not said is implied: Martin Sheen found his comfort zone - and what is said, his conversion to AA and his rediscovery of his father's Catholicism, backs this up. Emilio Estevez, upon making The Way, had transformed himself from Brat-Packer to a successful independent film writer, director and producer of deeply personal stories.

A deeply moving memoir that certainly could include more, but ultimately satisfies.