(This review is more about the author.)
I am fortunate enough to call the author, John, my neighbor & friend -- he lives just two doors down from me. One of my first conversations with John was during the winter of 2005-06; I was shoveling my driveway, with my son (just a few months old, but bundled up) in a front carrier. John came rushing over with a shovel, and helped me finish clearing my driveway. He said, "I couldn't let a woman with a baby shovel by herself." He told me he had Parkinson's Disease, and I told him I was all-too familiar with the symptoms (someone close to me had the disease as well).
What a great first impression! Here's a guy who has every right to be unhappy with his situation, but he's one of the most positive people I now know. It's taken some time to get to know John: loves his cigars, has one of the most beautiful gardens I have ever seen (I told him he should write about that too), and helps his neighbors year round...and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Living in the same town means I get to read articles in the local newspaper written by John, and he's also shared some of his poetry with me. Everything he writes is inspirational. For this reason, John reminds me of a viking. He makes the best out of what he's dealt, he doesn't feel sorry for himself, and he loves a good laugh -- even if it's at himself.
If you know someone who is living with Parkinson's, or has recently been diagnosed --or even someone who would like to know what it's like living with the disease, then buy this book. Most people only think of the symptoms, and forget to consider how a person's life is affected. This book will give you a new perspective -- a postive one.
And...I don't think John would mind if I recommend Perelman's Pocket Cyclopedia of Cigars 2008 edition.