A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future
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Product Description
Product Description
The inspiring life story of Michael J. Fox, high school dropout and Hollywood legend. Filled with personal details and Michael J. Fox's trademark optimism, warmth and humour, this inspiring book of life lessons in the vein of Maria Shriver's Just Who Will You Be (Hyperion, 2008) is sure to appeal to Michael J. Fox's many fans as well as any graduate in search of an entertaining and uplifting glimpse into an unconventional and successful Hollywood career.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A wonderful frank and funny account on the twist and turns on Michael J "McFly" Fox. His optimism and enthusiasm for life and where he finds himself today makes you appreciate to enjoy every moment you have.
I originally bought this for myself, however will be packed in my son's bag when he leaves home to make his dreams come true.
Go McFly!
I originally bought this for myself, however will be packed in my son's bag when he leaves home to make his dreams come true.
Go McFly!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
43 reviews
50 of 53 people found the following review helpful
A charmer perfect for grads
15 April 2010
Format:Hardcover
This tiny volume-- barely bigger than a Poptart -- will only take a half-hour or so to read. Author Michael J. Fox of television and movie fame has penned this classic little book for graduates, and it's chock full of insight, humor and interesting stories from his life.
Right up front high-school-dropout Fox poses a question to the reader: "What the hell were you thinking?" He has since earned a GED (General Equivalency Degree) and several honorary college diplomas, but all in all Fox has learned much more in Life 101: "an amazingly comprehensive education, albeit unstructured, and often unbidden."
After listing other accomplished people who also bailed on formal education (including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Ben Franklin), Fox dives into stories from his youth. For example, Fox learns economics through his experiences as a teenage actor, before being cast in Family Ties, dealing with agents and taxes. Later he learns deeper lessons as a recovering alcoholic, family man and as a person stricken with Parkinson's disease.
The overall impression is of a grateful and self-deprecating man with hard-won wisdom, writing with a light touch.
Another good book for a recent grad is Dr. Seuss's incomparable Oh, the Places You'll Go!.
Here's the chapter list:
Prologue: Finally... The Beginning
Part One
Two Schools
When Am I Ever Gonna Use This Stuff?
Part Two
Economics
Comparative Literature
Physics
Political Science
Geography
Part Three
Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something
Part Four
Victims of Pomp and Circumstance
The Beginning... Finally
Right up front high-school-dropout Fox poses a question to the reader: "What the hell were you thinking?" He has since earned a GED (General Equivalency Degree) and several honorary college diplomas, but all in all Fox has learned much more in Life 101: "an amazingly comprehensive education, albeit unstructured, and often unbidden."
After listing other accomplished people who also bailed on formal education (including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Ben Franklin), Fox dives into stories from his youth. For example, Fox learns economics through his experiences as a teenage actor, before being cast in Family Ties, dealing with agents and taxes. Later he learns deeper lessons as a recovering alcoholic, family man and as a person stricken with Parkinson's disease.
The overall impression is of a grateful and self-deprecating man with hard-won wisdom, writing with a light touch.
Another good book for a recent grad is Dr. Seuss's incomparable Oh, the Places You'll Go!.
Here's the chapter list:
Prologue: Finally... The Beginning
Part One
Two Schools
When Am I Ever Gonna Use This Stuff?
Part Two
Economics
Comparative Literature
Physics
Political Science
Geography
Part Three
Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something
Part Four
Victims of Pomp and Circumstance
The Beginning... Finally
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
a recommended read
26 April 2010
Format:Hardcover
In "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future," Michael J. Fox recounts his learning experiences in life, applying the lessons learned to subjects in school, while providing some Hollywood tales and student advice along the way. The tome is really small and easy to carry around. This book would probably make a good gift for not only Fox's legions of fans, but any new graduates looking for some simple insight into life.
Fox applies his early life in L.A.--the life of a starving artist, a high school drop-out, and an optimist willing to risk everything for the life of his dreams--into subjects he would have learned, if he had gained this knowledge through a university education, rather than from his life. For instance, Fox compares his lessons in acting (the rules of supply and demand), in addition to poor money management during his first years in the U.S., to Economics. In a different section, he compares learning Comparative Literature, to going through tons of scripts for TV/movie projects. Other "subjects" included (compromised solely on Fox's life experiences with them), include Physics, Political Science, and Geography.
The writing is witty, and entertaining. I especially like the last two sections of the book, part three "Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something" and part four, "Victims of Pomp and Circumstance." Fox's voice comes across as meaningful and easy to relate to, and some parts are especially touching. This book proves that ultimately lessons learned in life, are more lasting than anything learned in school. A recommended read.
Fox applies his early life in L.A.--the life of a starving artist, a high school drop-out, and an optimist willing to risk everything for the life of his dreams--into subjects he would have learned, if he had gained this knowledge through a university education, rather than from his life. For instance, Fox compares his lessons in acting (the rules of supply and demand), in addition to poor money management during his first years in the U.S., to Economics. In a different section, he compares learning Comparative Literature, to going through tons of scripts for TV/movie projects. Other "subjects" included (compromised solely on Fox's life experiences with them), include Physics, Political Science, and Geography.
The writing is witty, and entertaining. I especially like the last two sections of the book, part three "Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something" and part four, "Victims of Pomp and Circumstance." Fox's voice comes across as meaningful and easy to relate to, and some parts are especially touching. This book proves that ultimately lessons learned in life, are more lasting than anything learned in school. A recommended read.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
A fun, quick-read that is thoroughly enjoyable.
20 April 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book. It made laugh out loud as I was reading it. This is the second book that I have read by Michael Fox and have enjoyed both. He is an engaging author and I look forward to his next book.
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