In a career spanning more than thirty years, Patrick Swayze has made a name for himself on the stage, the screen, and television. Known for his versatility, passion and fearlessness, he's become one of our most beloved actors.
But in February 2008, Patrick announced he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Always a fighter, he refused to let the disease bring him to his knees, and his bravery has inspired both his legion of fans and cancer patients everywhere. Yet this memoir, written with wisdom and heart, recounts much more than his bout with cancer. In vivid detail, Patrick describes his Texas upbringing, his personal struggles, his rise to fame with North and South, his commercial breakthroughs in Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and the soul mate who's stood by his side through it all: his wife, writer and director Lisa Niemi.
A behind-the-scenes look at a Hollywood life and a remarkable love, this memoir is both entertainment and inspiration. Patrick and Lisa's marriage is a journey of two lives intertwined and lived as one--throughout their years in Hollywood and at home on their working ranch outside Los Angeles, and culminating in the hope and wisdom they've imparted to all who know them. This book will open the door for families, individuals, and husbands and wives to grow, bond and discover entirely new levels of love and sharing, proving that life shouldn't be lived as a series of endings, but rather as the beginning of greater strength and love.
"The Time of My Life" by Patrick Swayze and his wife Lisa Niemi is an inspirational and entertaining book about Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi's journey - hard times and good times, right up to his final heroic battle against cancer. The remarkable love the two had for each other shines through and it is very sad that he didn't get to see this book hit the shelves and know what kind of impact it will have on many who read it.
Many people know that Patrick met Lisa when he was 19 and she was 15 and attending dance lessons at his mother, Patsy Swayze's, dance studio. They married a few years later and were together right to his passing. It was a remarkable marriage, but definitely not without its trials and tribulations. Injuries, alcoholism, insecurities, anger, and wondering who he was all plagued Swayze at times, just as demons attack us all. It was refreshing to read that Swayze's life was not a bed of roses, even though at times is sure seemed like it to the public.
Obviously, people who are interest in Swayze are most likely interested because they enjoyed his movies. You might be a "Ghost" and "Dirty Dancing" fan, or maybe you prefer his macho action flicks such as "Roadhouse" and "Next of Kin." It doesn't matter, he discusses them all in this book, and you'll learn things you probably didn't know about the making of his films.
Reading the final pages is tough, because we know he didn't have many more days after writing that he was determined to have as many beautiful days together with Lisa as he possibly could. But I'm glad they left it like that, and didn't add something about his passing. We know he's gone, but I appreciated that right to the end he fought and lived, and most importantly loved, loved the person who he shared his life with and who stood by him in good times and bad. Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi have my utmost respect, and I consider them role models on how to endure and stay together, and how to continue to love even when others might have thrown in the towel.
For Patrick Swayze fans, this book is a must. It has some great pictures, entertaining stories, and shares honestly the life of one of Hollywood's favorite stars and portrays the love he held for Niemi, who he said about, "You are my woman, my lover, my mate and my lady. I've loved you forever, I love you now and I will love you forevermore." I wish forevermore would have been longer, but I'm grateful that they were able to complete this book as the final act of his career. Thank you Patrick and Lisa.
Reviewed by Alain Burrese, J.D., author of Hard-Won Wisdom From the School of Hard Knocks and the dvds: Hapkido Hoshinsul, Streetfighting Essentials, Hapkido Cane, the Lock On Joint Locking Essentials series and articles including a regular column on negotiation for The Montana Lawyer. Alain Also wrote a series of articles called Lessons From The Apprentice.
The Time of My Life by Patrick Swayze and Lisa Niemi, begins with Patrick telling how he found out he had pancreatic cancer, the range of emotions he experienced, and the determination to fight.
Growing up in Texas as the son of a self-made man, and a teacher/choreographer, Patrick was the second of five children. He was also a dare-devil at times, and full of energy, until a serious high school football injury threatened to end his dreams of becoming a dancer or sports figure. With the rugged grit that he is now known for, he fought through the painful injury, and recovered to become one of the most famous actor/dancers of our time.
Life was not always easy for this beautiful spirit, as you will read in this book, but in the end, I believe he became one of our own super-heroes. Told with grace, humor, and honesty, this is a must read for anyone who was touched by his brilliant life and career. It is sad that he didn't get to live to see its publication, but as he had said, he lived many lives in just this one, a life lived to its fullest.
