A Lucky Life Interrupted: A Memoir of Hope
Written by Tom Brokaw
Narrated by Mark Bramhall
4/5
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About this audiobook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A powerful memoir of a dramatic year spent battling cancer and reflecting on a long, happy, and lucky life-from the bestselling author of The Greatest Generation, whose iconic career in journalism has spanned more than fifty years
Tom Brokaw has led a fortunate life, with a strong marriage and family, many friends, and a brilliant journalism career culminating in his twenty-two years as anchor of the NBC Nightly News and as bestselling author. But in the summer of 2013, when back pain led him to the doctors at the Mayo Clinic, his run of good luck was interrupted. He received shocking news: He had multiple myeloma, a treatable but incurable blood cancer. Friends had always referred to Brokaw's "lucky star," but as he writes in this inspiring memoir, "Turns out that star has a dimmer switch."
Brokaw takes us through all the seasons and stages of this surprising year, the emotions, discoveries, setbacks, and struggles-times of denial, acceptance, turning points, and courage. After his diagnosis, Brokaw began to keep a journal, approaching this new stage of his life in a familiar role: as a journalist, determined to learn as much as he could about his condition, to report the story, and help others facing similar battles. That journal became the basis of this wonderfully written memoir, the story of a man coming to terms with his own mortality, contemplating what means the most to him now, and reflecting on what has meant the most to him throughout his life.
Brokaw also pauses to look back on some of the important moments in his career: memories of Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the morning of September 11, 2001, in New York City, and more. Through it all, Brokaw writes in the warm, intimate, natural voice of one of America's most beloved journalists, giving us Brokaw on Brokaw, and bringing us with him as he navigates pain, procedures, drug regimens, and physical rehabilitation. Brokaw also writes about the importance of patients taking an active role in their own treatment, and of the vital role of caretakers and coordinated care.
Generous, informative, and deeply human, A Lucky Life Interrupted offers a message of understanding and empowerment, resolve and reality, hope for the future and gratitude for a well-lived life.
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Reviews for A Lucky Life Interrupted
25 ratings8 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Journalist, Tom Brokaw, reflects on his life during the first year he is diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Interesting and readable!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Lucky Life Interrupted: A Memoir of Hope by Tom Brokaw is a thought provoking, and tender book. I have always admired Tom Brokaw for his honest and unbiased ways and this book goes into his personal life and shows what a truly wonderful and strong character he is. A powerful message, esp to those of us that battle against problems. Maybe not cancer but other problems too that are life changing and dramatic. He gives a hope and encouragement with his calm and soothing manner. I got this book from the library and got the audio version.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This was really an interesting book learning about what Tom Brokaw went through when he found out about his cancer. I've always admired Tom so I really wanted to know this information.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Even the best life can become fraught with challenges; and this is what happened to Tom Brockaw. Brockaw had the perfect life, strong marriage, great children and grandchildren. Nothing could be better till he heard the dreadful pronouncement - you have multiple melanoma. Yes, cancer can change any life dramatically. Brockaw talks candidly about his battle and his roller coaster emotions. Given his background as a broadcaster, the memoir is interspersed with narrative and editorializing of events and issues like 9/11 and the health care plan. All this makes for excellent reading. It is above all a memoir of hope.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A Lucky Life Interrupted, a memoir of Hope by Tom Brokaw Have followed this news journal reporter for many years and like how he tells the news and his stories.Follows his story of his life, back pain and his medical conditions. Love how he started the journal and love the little things that kept him going. so good to laugh.So many have crossed his path and he tells you of them and his treatment plan along with all his travel and awards he earned. I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Interesting story about Tom Brokaw's recent fight with multiple myeloma.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Personal story fighting the same cancer my dad died from 20 years ago. multiple myeloma
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Very good but went off the subject of disease and treatment too much, in my opinion.