In “Funny Thing…,” which reads like an address to graduates, Michael J. Fox reveals a bit about his own life, dropping out of high school not just to further his acting career, but because he was learning disabled and struggling terribly in school, although he’s obviously bright as a button. He gives some general advice to graduates, inspirational and thoughtful but general.

Smart release at graduation time, this makes the perfect vehicle for a heartfelt inscription and a nice check for your favorite graduate. I like it a lot.

Also recommended: Lucky Man, Mike’s memoir up to his diagnosis of Parkinson’s and the beginning of his recovery from alcoholism. For that book, five stars.
Rating: 3 / 5

Fox applies his early life in L.A.–the life of a starving artist, a high school drop-out, and an optimist willing to risk everything for the life of his dreams–into subjects he would have learned, if he had gained this knowledge through a university education, rather than from his life. For instance, Fox compares his lessons in acting (the rules of supply and demand), in addition to poor money management during his first years in the U.S., to Economics. In a different section, he compares learning Comparative Literature, to going through tons of scripts for TV/movie projects. Other “subjects” included (compromised solely on Fox’s life experiences with them), include Physics, Political Science, and Geography.

The writing is witty, and entertaining. I especially like the last two sections of the book, part three “Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something” and part four, “Victims of Pomp and Circumstance.” Fox’s voice comes across as meaningful and easy to relate to, and some parts are especially touching. This book proves that ultimately lessons learned in life, are more lasting than anything learned in school. A recommended read.
Rating: 5 / 5

Right up front high-school-dropout Fox poses a question to the reader: “What the hell were you thinking?” He has since earned a GED (General Equivalency Degree) and several honorary college diplomas, but all in all Fox has learned much more in Life 101: “an amazingly comprehensive education, albeit unstructured, and often unbidden.”

After listing other accomplished people who also bailed on formal education (including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Johnny Depp and Ben Franklin), Fox dives into stories from his youth. For example, Fox learns economics through his experiences as a teenage actor, before being cast in Family Ties, dealing with agents and taxes. Later he learns deeper lessons as a recovering alcoholic, family man and as a person stricken with Parkinson’s disease.

The overall impression is of a grateful and self-deprecating man with hard-won wisdom, writing with a light touch.

Another good book for a recent grad is Dr. Seuss’s incomparable Oh, the Places You’ll Go!.

Here’s the chapter list:

Prologue: Finally… The Beginning

Part One

Two Schools

When Am I Ever Gonna Use This Stuff?

Part Two

Economics

Comparative Literature

Physics

Political Science

Geography

Part Three

Pay Attention Kid, You Might Learn Something

Part Four

Victims of Pomp and Circumstance

The Beginning… Finally
Rating: 5 / 5