No Time Like the Future
An Optimist Considers Mortality
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4.2 • 262 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
A moving account of resilience, hope, fear and mortality, and how these things resonate in our lives, by actor and advocate Michael J. Fox.
The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin City; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances on shows such as The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, the world’s leading non-profit funder of PD science. His two previous bestselling memoirs, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, dealt with how he came to terms with the illness, all the while exhibiting his iconic optimism. His new memoir reassesses this outlook, as events in the past decade presented additional challenges.
In No Time Like the Future: An Optimist Considers Mortality, Michael shares personal stories and observations about illness and health, aging, the strength of family and friends, and how our perceptions about time affect the way we approach mortality. Thoughtful and moving, but with Fox’s trademark sense of humor, his book provides a vehicle for reflection about our lives, our loves, and our losses.
Running through the narrative is the drama of the medical madness Fox recently experienced, that included his daily negotiations with the Parkinson’s disease he’s had since 1991, and a spinal cord issue that necessitated immediate surgery. His challenge to learn how to walk again, only to suffer a devastating fall, nearly caused him to ditch his trademark optimism and “get out of the lemonade business altogether.”
Does he make it all of the way back? Read the book.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Like his famous Back to the Future character, Marty McFly, Michael J. Fox and his career moved at lightning speed. Then, at age 29, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease nearly stopped the actor in his tracks. Three decades later, Fox opens up about how the slow progression of his disease has taken its toll. Initially, he was able to keep his diagnosis a secret, and even after he went public in 1998, he continued acting along with his charitable work. As the founder of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, he’s become the upbeat public face of the disease, but in No Time Like the Future, he bravely confesses how the increasing severity of his condition—coupled with a spinal tumor that forced him to relearn how to walk—has caused him to face his own demise. We were floored by Fox’s openness in exploring his physical and emotional struggles, especially his painful realization that he’s no longer able to act professionally. Even at his darkest points, Fox’s candidness and his undying love for his wife, actress and food writer Tracy Pollan, is inspiring. With his latest memoir, the ’80s icon imparts a vitally important message about embracing hope—even when the future’s uncertain.
Customer Reviews
Thanks for sharing Mr. Fox
I have PD. Young onset. 20 years on 13 meds. Which is killing me? Meds or PD? This is likely my last year of living with any freedom of choice. My body is literally disintegrating. And nothing can stop it. I appreciate the Fox Foundation and its donation to the effort. But my reality has zero to do with Michaels. I was hoping to learn some details on his “cocktail of meds” and the tweaks over time. I don’t have family, children, money to buy truly good help to walk or swim with me. I don’t have a Team of neurologists guiding me with evermore risky bandaids. Anywhere one goes to read or learn about whats next, or a comparison/contrast for guidence is actually fantasy. As a nobody I get to be bumbed twice every appointment with “my” doctor so i get scolded for not seeing them at least 4 times a year. I cannot ever get them on the phone to discuss my changes. And office visits are generally a waste of my time. All info could and was already in place. I hope every time possibly to discuss and understand more about what is happening and what might be next. But my reality is not what im told over and over it should be. Well I’m not Fox. And looking at the mumbers, Parkinsons is not any closer to real improvement. The method to give some relief is unchanged for 6 decades! Deep brain is still a no go for me. Admitted by Fox himself. Does the money go to anybody who does other than promotion?
No Time Like The Future
I can relate to everything in this book and it is to the point, I am living through a form of degenerative ataxia myself .
Page 83 lost me.
Didn’t have to bring political bashing into this read. I enjoyed it until then. Didn’t turn the page after. Wish I could get my money back.