A Journey of Hope Through Adversity: A Memoir of Resilience and Luck

Donald C. Williams: I was interested reading history regarding Multiple Myloma.

United States on Jul 23, 2023

LZ: As a person who also has MM I found this book to be not only informative and inspirational, but also I felt a certain bonding with someone who also had this nasty disease, who was going through some of the same physical and mental feelings as I. It means more to me hearing the story from one who has MM because they have a deeper understanding of what you go through. Too many people don't quite understand and you get tired of explaining. If you look good on the outside they think you're doing fine. Not always the case. I think anyone who has MM should read this book and perhaps others who don't really know what we really go through with this disease. I hope Mr
Browkaw continues to feel better more days than not and is able to fight this disease and still enjoy life in his new normal as they say. This was a great book.

United States on Feb 18, 2022

ESFJ: Let's get this out of the way first; I also have Multiple Myeloma. I'm a young patient, not "typical" for MM, female, and I work in healthcare as a Registered Nurse. I read this partly because I've long respected his work, plus I went to college in South Dakota, so I'm familiar with a lot of the same places in the midwest that he is. This book was disappointing. Why? I felt it lacked depth, authenticity and real vulnerability. Is the writing good? Yes, but I wanted more from a person who is facing the reality of death.
This book disappointed me because 80% of the book felt like a shrine to himself - he spent way too many pages bragging about how great his life is, name-dropped constantly, and made sure we were clear that he cant believe this happened to HIM. Well I know exactly how that feels.
What does Tom not know? He doesnt know what it feels like to be the primary breadwinner and be diagnosed with this disease in your 40s. He doesnt know what it's like to constantly worry about the side effects of chemo & how much work you'll miss & whether you'll be able to keep your job - knowing you cant realistically get another. He doesnt know what it feels like to wonder if...

United States on Mar 31, 2017

Herb O S..: Excellent read, having been diagnosed with the same illness 2-years ago, I found it to be very informative.

Canada on Mar 31, 2017

atomicboy: I have a rare cancer. Many aspects of his experience parallel mine. He is spot on with his anaylsis of what could be done to make improvements.

Canada on Apr 08, 2016

PJS: Having recently been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma I was interested to read of Tom Brokaw's experiences in coping with the disease. In particular I wanted to know how the treatment in the US differed from my own treatment by the NHS in England.
To avoid his book from becoming just a litany of medical procedures, Mr Brokaw intersperses his journey through the disease with anecdotes from his long journalistic career and many moving and humerous stories about his friends and family.
Although MM is a fairly rare form of cancer, the research and treatment of this disease has made great strides over the last decade due to the efforts of two major centres in the US who are leading the way with the development of new drugs, many new trials and most importantly the sharing of information worldwide.
I was pleased to find out that my own treatment in the UK echoed that of Mr Brokaw's and profoundly grateful that I had the added benefit of the NHS, which meant all of the costs of medication, care and procedures came without me having to pay a penny. Although Mr Brokaw had good health insurance he pointed out that under the US health care system many people have not been so...

United States on Oct 14, 2015

c conrad blakey obe: Tells you exactly how it really is to find you have Multiple Myeloma and the effects of treatment. I concur with everything Tom wrote and, in particular, how fe stresses the need to have a positive attitude and the the need for endless help and support from family and friends.

United Kingdom on Jul 23, 2015

ENNA: I always found Tom Brokaw's reporting style a mix of seriousness, eloquence, and honesty. He just had a way of speaking that was accessible to me, although at times I could not fully understand the wide and deep vocabulary that he used. It was actually with that same slight trepidation that I started reading this book, fearful that it would be too academic for me, or worse, too dull as a consequence. It was neither. Tom's writing is inspired, with warmth and wit and a keen observing eye on his surroundings. I did find the allusions to his financial means and well known friends a bit much by the end, but thought, well, if you have it, flaunt it?!...... I finished the book in two days....about the time it take me to read a an grossing summer thriller where I habitually gloss over the descriptor prose. Tom's book, I read every word. I felt touched by his stories and his plight. And I felt inspired to think differently about health and age and life. A highly recommended book.

United Kingdom on Jun 05, 2015

Murrey Boehm: Very good book. I would highly recommend it especially for anyone with cancer and their families. Let's you know others are going through the same things you are.

Canada on Jun 01, 2015