Wednesday, July 15, 2009

July 2009 Meeting


July 2009 Meeting

The Host: Maura

The Book: Always Looking Up

The Response of the Book Club Members: Book club members found this book to be both very entertaining and very provocative since the author, Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's Disease is a strong advocate of stem cell research to find a possible cure for Parkinson's Disease.

Delaine Walker offered a good summation of the book:
"I have always been a fan and admirer of Michael J. Fox - having grown up watching Family Ties, was addicted to Spin City and of course loved his movies especially Back to the Future. But after reading the book, I respect him even more, I stop and listen to his TV advertisements, his approach to managing his foundation is refreshing - what a powerful statement 'I need you to help me go out of business'. But most of all I appreciate his great sense of humor and how he turns his challenges into opportunities.

I had not idea that he kept such a hectic schedule, traveling the world, doing non-stop interviews, meeting with politicians of every stripe and variety, conducting non-stop fundraisers, asking for money from the rich and powerful and doing all this while raising a family of four kids. Some of the best passages in the book contain his reflections on being a father and a husband. I just love a book that makes me laugh and cry at the same time.

The book also covers the very tough issues surrounding embryonic stem cell research, no matter where you stand on this issue the positive is that Michael J. Fox brough the issue forward and into the political area for discussion."

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