Product Description

In September 2009 movie star Patrick Swayze lost his long and bravely fought battle against pancreatic cancer. Dedications soon came flooding in from Swayze's many friends in film and television as well as from his legions of adoring fans. His was a life richly led and this memoir, completed just weeks before his death, is a testament to the strength and passion of this remarkable man. It was January 2008 when Patrick Swayze was given the worst news of his life. What he hoped was just a stomach ache was actually stage four pancreatic cancer. This book isn't just the story of Patrick's fight against cancer. In the public eye from the early 1980s, this is the story of a remarkable life and career. Intended as a low budget, straight-to-video production, Dirty Dancing became a cult hit and remains one of the most enduring films of the 80s. Ghost cemented Patrick as a hugely bankable star, in a role that has had a considerable cultural impact. Most recently Patrick returned to the public's adoring arms in TV's The Beast. This book will chronicle Patrick's personal life, too -- including his treatment for alcoholism following the death of his father and sister's sudden death. What remained a constant in Patrick's life was his marriage and Patrick and Lisa's love story is inspiring, honest, heartfelt and transcends the typical celebrity marriage. This is a book that anyone who has faced cancer or a terminal illness can turn to: Lisa and Patrick have shown the world that cancer isn't just a diagnosis given to one individual, but a disease that can bring a household together or pull a family apart. Bold, honest and inspiring, Patrick Swayze's memoir is the story of a remarkable man's life and career and of his refusal to give up without a fight.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44 in Books
• Published on: 2009-09-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

About the Author
Patrick Swayze died with family at his side on September 14, 2009, at age 57, twenty months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Customer Reviews

Very poignant especially now...
I pre-ordered this book having spotted its imminent release on the day of Patrick Swayze's untimely death from pancreatic cancer. I devoured it in one sitting, as it's a well written story of a man who despite his own (admitted) faults loved his wife and was passionate about everything he did. The foreward paticularly was very poignant to read as he spoke so positively about beating the cancer, and I'm sure this will be updated for the paperback version.

Patrick Swayze was a fantastic dancer, actor, singer, husband and cowboy and I'm certain his memory will live on in his films. Dirty Dancing, Ghost and Point Break were 3 of my favourites, and the book has now inspired me to find a few others that I'd not yet seen.

For anyone who wants to get to know the real man behind THAT body (!) and a real love story, then read this book. You will not be disappointed.

Entertaining and Inspiring!
This memoir is a precious gift for all to read about Patrick Swayze. I have watched Dirty Dancing more often that I can remember and in that movie Patrick played an all around good guy who discovers how to be caring and loving. As with many of the characters he played, Patrick was passionate and caring in real life as well. The book shares the love story between Patrick his wife, Lisa. The pair were inseparable and stood as one in facing Patrick's health challenges till the very end. A very inspiring and heartfelt reading. If you found Patrick's book inspiring, I also recommend the book by Ariel & Shya Kane's "How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life" and their internet talk show called "Being Here". The Kanes write of how your own life can be a grand adventure, moment by moment.

Both great books, by great authors, write of how life is not to be taken for granted but rather savored and enjoyed.

Amazing
One of the best books I have read in a long time. I could not put it down and read it in a day. He was an absolutely beautiful human being with an immense amount of talent, strength, will power, passion and love for his wife, it is so heart warming but also very sad at the sometime. You really feel for his wife Lisa in such a sad time of loss for a man she clearly loved very much even when things were difficult.
I loved all of his films and will now be looking out for other films that he mentioned in their book.

This is a must buy.