Rating: 
Summary: Honest
Review: I just finished reading "Lucky Man" yesterday. This was a very honest and refreshing memoir. Michael has the most entertaining way of describing fame and show biz in general. I hope he writes more books in the future.
Rating:
Summary: This time, you can Believe The Hype!
Review: This is a book I was convinced I would enjoy when I heard about it's publication, yet feared over the past few weeks. Press send-offs like that enjoyed by Mr. Fox in the last few weeks tend to diminish the enjoyment of any memoir, and Michael has been all over the press like cheap cologne lately. Having said that, it took me a day and a half to read "Lucky Man", and I was sad that it ended so quickly. Rarely have such tragic circumstances (Parkinson's, alcoholism...) be portrayed with such an "I can take it all on" attitude. The side characters (Tracey Pollen, preious castmates...) are skillfully described. And you just know by the end of the book that there lies a BIG 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) act in Michael's immediate future.
You'll probably trip over a lot of people reading this on the beach this summer. That's all good, for there is a lot of "uplift" in this story. Bravo, MJF, for sharing with the rest of us.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, lively, VERY candid -- and highly touching
Review: Michael J. Fox has always been known as a nice guy. So what has he been DOING in Hollywood? In Hollywood nice guys often finish last. But in Fox's case, he beat the odds. It's no secret that some of the Powers That Be weren't entirely enamored when, as a young Canadian "unknown," he was cast in the role as Alex, in NBC's hit t.v. comedy Family Ties. But when the show debuted he proved that he had that certain "something" -- that rare talent to link up with an audience. Call it "charisma," or likeability but it, plus
his considerable acting talents, drove the ratings -- and his show biz career -- sky-high. Now Fox has written one of the most genuinely honest, touching and moving show biz bios ever, Lucky Man. But it is MORE than a show biz bio, because it deals with how his life was impacted by Parkinson's disease, how he coped with it, accepted it and how he wants to help others. Lucky Man should be titled Lucky Us, because anyone who reads it can't help walking away from it a mite richer, inspired, and more appreciative of the fact that the upsides and
downsides of life sometimes coincide...but, overall, it can be a joyous ride. Fox did NOT have this ghost written and it certainly reads like an autobiography written by an actor known for his great sense of irony and sense of humor. All the usual
biographical "boilerplate" material is there about his early years (a military brat who had a normal, well-centered childhood) quick rise to fame (Family Ties was a smash hit, largely of Fox's charisma -- which he is too modest to mention), and glimpses of the REAL show biz world behind the scenes (his account of how Cher snubbed him at an Academy Awards ceremony has already become an instant classic -- about how someone way up there in Hollywood's pecking order seemingly considers someone else not as famous and therefore perhaps not as
worthy). But aside from his natural humor, honesty, and the inside Hollywood tidbits, what's going to make this a book that will long be remembered -- and ultimately be turned into a
wide-screen or television movie -- is how he coped with news about his illness, emerged from denial, and decided to dedicate his life to look for a cure for and to increase public
awareness about the disease. Some chapters may make you cry. For instance, I never knew until I read this that Fox KNEW he had Parkinson's when he signed on to do Spin City. It was only when he felt he had to quit the series to spend more time with his family and his new cause that he did so.
In the passages that show him battling alcohol, and coping with his illness, not a word is there for dramatic effect. It's all sincere. I will be forever haunted by the passage where his he teaches his five-year-old son, Sam, how to stop his Dad's involuntary thumb movements, by squeezing his thumb or
twisting it, then counting to give and doing it again. Fox writes of how he saw his son's delight "in getting the timing down, short-circuiting the wiggle every time" but once Sam
realized it came back again he "detected a slight look of "Uh-Oh, what have I gotten myself into?" And I admit getting teary-eyed when he concluded after his hopes that surgery would help him were dashed that (his problems returned fullforce) that the Parkinson's was "just doing what it's supposed to do" and that he he was going to "just show up and do the best that I could do with whatever lay in front of me." On every page Fox's talent, humanity and decency shine through. Michael J. Fox titled it Lucky Man, because of the love and support of his friends and family. But we're the Lucky Ones for having Fox write such a poignant, sincere and touching book.
Rating: 
Summary: Very introspective
Review: I've always loved Michael J. Fox's work, so naturally, I was looking forward to reading this book. I was surprised to read that he wasn't as innocent and straight-lined as he seemed on television. He has had his share of ups and downs (not related to his illness) and it was nice to read that he is human.
I enjoyed the latter half of the book because I "knew" him during that time in his life and it was interesting to read about his life from his point of view.
His marriage is especially wonderful to read about. They have a bond that is truly what marriage is supposed to be about.
I feel like I know Michael J. Fox a bit better now - not Alex P. Keaton, but Michael J. Fox - and I appreciated the opportunity to do so.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging Story, Fabulously Written
Review: Michael J.Fox shares everything you want to know about his life...and in doing so helps the reader redefine their meaning of happiness and fullfillment. Candid without being embarrasingly revealing; sympathetic without being syrupy. Enjoyed it so much I had to parse out the chapters, otherwise I would have read it one day!
Rating:
Summary: You must buy this book!
Review: I just finished reading Michael J. Fox's memoir. It took me one day. I loved it. He talks about his life as a child and his rise to fame and his struggle but amazingly positive acceptance of his Parkinson's.
Because all the proceeds of this book benefit his Parkinson's organization which is working on a cure for the disease, I decided I will buy 20 more and send a book to family and friends.
I encourage people to buy this book. Not only will you have a great read but you will be contributing to a great cause.
Rating:
Summary: Lucky Man is also FUNNY Man
Review: Michael J. Fox has written a wonderful, touching book which is also incredibly funny. This is a great memoir filled with charming stories and witty insights into one man's evolution. Intelligently written, all readers will admire Fox's candid telling of his story - at times exciting, other times sad, and at all times genuine. Fox's comedic acting career has spanned several decades and his writing career has just begun. Talk about an amazing debut! Way to go Michael!
Rating:
Summary: Candid but Enjoyable
Review: Michael J Fox has enjoyed an Everyman's dream life... with a good-looking, but kid next store look and a sly but smart charm, he used his comedic skills to movies we grew up with, not to mention his "Spin City" and "Family Ties" success. Even "Teen Wolf" was good because he was in it. Now, MJF might let his career dwindle. Instead, he gives us this candid look at his life. "Lucky Man: A Memoir" isn't a sordid who-kissed-who, but a take the blame, but say it without whining tale of one man's life. Fox knows he has had success, and that he is good at what he does. Fair enough. He also knows he is a real human, and says so with clarity and a bit of spunk. "Lucky Man: A Memoir" by Michael J. Fox is a great biography. Not only does Fox give away the profits, byt he is using it as a tool to teach about Parkinson's. I fully recommend "Lucky Man: A Memoir." Anthony Trendl
Rating:
Summary: great book, great person
Review: Great book. I admire Michael J Fox. I wonder - does he have DYSTONIA? I've never seen a Parkinson's person move in such a way. Whatever, buy the book. MJ is an excellent person and a good writer, too.
Rating:
Summary: Witty, Candid and Refreshingly Honest
Review: It's seemingly commonplace these days to find celebrity memoirs that are nothing more than braggadocios resumes by celebrities who are past their prime, desperately seeking to hold on to the limelight (and their egos) on the last legs of their showbiz careers. Then there are those who currently remain in the limelight and just want to shove some cause or stance down your throat, while also preserving their egos, and choose to do so under the veil of an "autobiography". You also see the ones by people whose only status of "celebrity" comes by virtue of being related to one. Not to mention the memoirs by dissilussioned child stars or the like. Few books in this genre are as enjoyable, honest and perfectly-timed careerwise, by the author, as "Lucky Man" by Michael J. Fox. It's probably common knowledge now that he has Parkinson's disease. He waited nearly ten years to go public, preventing what would have been inevitable destructive media and public gossip, which in turn allowed him to continue his life and career as "normal". And what a career he has had. Rather than take the sob story route, Fox provides a very candid and humbled look at his life before and since the diagnosis of his Parkinson's disease. He's not bitter. He doesn't ask for sympathy. He doesn't act is if the world owes him anything. Very straight-forward book containing all the wit you'd expect from Fox, along with the refreshing candor, honesty and down-to-earth sincerity foreign to most celebrity memoirs. I highly recommend it.
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