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a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars!
Truly heartening in just how far we’ve come but also inspiring and brutal in the harsh reality of just how far we still must go.
Truly heartening in just how far we’ve come but also inspiring and brutal in the harsh reality of just how far we still must go.
celtic_oracle's review against another edition
4.0
Both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Learning more about Ryan White, who I only vaguely remember from my childhood almost brought me to tears - and learning the impact he had on John getting his life together in the wake of addiction was inspiring.
Stories of struggle, like White's, are interspersed with stories of advances - though often the advances don't make as much of an impact as one would think. I really did learn a lot about HIV/AIDS and the current state of research in reading this, which was also nice. It's fascinating to think that even without an official cure, AIDS could be "cured" through education and drug distribution.
The only criticism I have is that in John's passion for the subject, the narrative started to feel repetitive in places.
Stories of struggle, like White's, are interspersed with stories of advances - though often the advances don't make as much of an impact as one would think. I really did learn a lot about HIV/AIDS and the current state of research in reading this, which was also nice. It's fascinating to think that even without an official cure, AIDS could be "cured" through education and drug distribution.
The only criticism I have is that in John's passion for the subject, the narrative started to feel repetitive in places.
caromore13's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook. Amazing story of John's involvement in the fight against AIDS. Being an HIV/AIDS activist, I was enlightened and definitely inspired by this book. DEFINITELY recommend it!
bkbookend's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
5.0
lton John is a big-hearted and compassionate human being. He takes stories from his own life and his friends to paint a vivid picture of the AIDS epidemic from the late 70s to now. If I said I didn’t cry on the way to work within the first 15 minutes of this book - I would not be telling the truth. My heart and mind were invested in what the author was sharing and the message he was spreading - that our resources are there to fight AIDS, but the love and understanding must spread to truly save those in need. I was emblazoned with a drive to be a better advocate for the unjust and donate time and money to the cause. Thank you for igniting wildfire, Elton John, and I hope more read this and feel the same.
Must of this is opinion based, though there are many factual statistics and supports throughout the book to reinforce (both successfully and sometimes unsuccessfully) his points to be made.
Must of this is opinion based, though there are many factual statistics and supports throughout the book to reinforce (both successfully and sometimes unsuccessfully) his points to be made.
thetourterdpoetdepartment's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
This is a very powerful and insightful book on Sir Elton John's work with AIDS.
It told some heart-breaking stories from people who have been effected by aids, but for me personally, was insightful and taught me so much more about the disease.
The stories told within this book will stay with me every time I treat an AIDS patient, and hopefully, I too can help support the victims of AIDS.
It told some heart-breaking stories from people who have been effected by aids, but for me personally, was insightful and taught me so much more about the disease.
The stories told within this book will stay with me every time I treat an AIDS patient, and hopefully, I too can help support the victims of AIDS.
alecitlikethat's review against another edition
4.0
While at the library picking out some books, Elton John's face caught my eye and I had a glance at the title. I'd always wanted to educate myself on AIDs, but I'd never felt like picking up a serious, lengthy, complicated book on the matter, fearing it would either go straight over my head or it'd be too hard to absorb all the information. This was just what I'd been looking for. A narratively styled, not too long book discussing both the statistics and the real life people behind those numbers. This is something that will stick with me. Although I found there were overly repetitive points and it wasn't necessarily the best piece of literature, I didn't mind; it wasn't intended to be the most sophisticated book ever written, it was intended to inform, educate and inspire, to attract a new audience, and in that it was entirely successful.
This book really served a purpose for me, and achieved what it set out to. As someone born after the initial AIDs outbreak, prior to reading this book I've always felt uninformed and ignorant about the topic. I was aware AIDs was still around and was a global issue, but as to the history and (just as crucially) the present status of the disease, treatment, and prevention, I was very much in the dark. I feel enlightened after reading this book, as well as both moved and inspired by many of the specific and personal stories he told.
"The bottom line is, we're all human, and we all deserve to be helped and to be loved."
This book really served a purpose for me, and achieved what it set out to. As someone born after the initial AIDs outbreak, prior to reading this book I've always felt uninformed and ignorant about the topic. I was aware AIDs was still around and was a global issue, but as to the history and (just as crucially) the present status of the disease, treatment, and prevention, I was very much in the dark. I feel enlightened after reading this book, as well as both moved and inspired by many of the specific and personal stories he told.
"The bottom line is, we're all human, and we all deserve to be helped and to be loved."
maryparapluie's review against another edition
3.0
A quick listen, read by Elton himself. I knew a lot of the factual information and some of the history already, but was considerably horrified by what I didn't know. Perhaps most useful in that it can provide real information and argument to audiences who will pick it up solely because it's Elton.
lilmatt050's review against another edition
5.0
It has been over a year that I have wanted to read the book and I am excited that I finally finished it! Elton John's book introduces us to the story of one of the most important people that he ever encounter, Ryan White. I heard about this kid and knew his life story but not in details and this is a kid who truly help remove the stigma on HIV/AIDS and promoted change, love, and hope for the future. Elton John had an extreme case of alcoholism, sex addiction, bulimic, and was addicted to Cocaine. Because of the death of Ryan White, it was a wake up call for him and lucky went to rehab and has been sober ever since.
It is remarkable to hear about this from him because I honestly did not know how bad his addiction was and I am surprise that he is still able to sing after all these years. This book encounters memories of Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, and countless others who inspired Elton's life and helped manifest his foundation, Elton John's AIDS Foundation aka EJAF.
I have to warn you, I fell into this trap that this book was going to purely on memoirs and its NOT! For about 90 pages, he talks about his friends and loved ones but for most of the book he talks about the history of HIV/AIDS, the destructive past that surrounded this plague, and talks about current events, and things that have become a milestone thanks to his foundation. Elton John uses references to articles in magazines and newspapers to inform where he is getting his information.
I believe this book is crucial and insightful and open my eyes to the chaos that is surrounding this planet and how we as individuals need to step up and start curing the world of diseases with love and dignity. He and countless others are truly passionate towards ending the world of AIDS through the help of government, pharmaceutical companies, foundations and charities and religious institutions. We need to remove the stigma when it comes to HIV/AIDS and fight for a better today, tomorrow, and future generations.
It is remarkable to hear about this from him because I honestly did not know how bad his addiction was and I am surprise that he is still able to sing after all these years. This book encounters memories of Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana, and countless others who inspired Elton's life and helped manifest his foundation, Elton John's AIDS Foundation aka EJAF.
I have to warn you, I fell into this trap that this book was going to purely on memoirs and its NOT! For about 90 pages, he talks about his friends and loved ones but for most of the book he talks about the history of HIV/AIDS, the destructive past that surrounded this plague, and talks about current events, and things that have become a milestone thanks to his foundation. Elton John uses references to articles in magazines and newspapers to inform where he is getting his information.
I believe this book is crucial and insightful and open my eyes to the chaos that is surrounding this planet and how we as individuals need to step up and start curing the world of diseases with love and dignity. He and countless others are truly passionate towards ending the world of AIDS through the help of government, pharmaceutical companies, foundations and charities and religious institutions. We need to remove the stigma when it comes to HIV/AIDS and fight for a better today, tomorrow, and future generations.