Peter Barton was an accomplished man.
So much so, some will have trouble relating to him at times throughout his story.
But he and Laurence Shames collaborated so well on this memoir, do not be surprised when you are moved to tears struggling to get through the final compelling pages.
From mildly privileged roots, Mr.
Barton started out as a political advisor in his twenties and moved on to a career, short-lived though it was, as a virtual titan in the world of business and entertainment.
At a moment as unpropitious an any, and in the prime of his young life, Barton discovered he had cancer.
Before long it was evident his disease would pose the kind of challenge he believed he was not prepared for.
That is until he resolved not to let his illness define who he was.
The co-authors deftly weave their contributions into the emotional fabric of the memoir, at one point sharing their story about the time they challenged each to tell the other why they were "doing this" at all.
When Shames asks Barton this very question, Barton answers pointedly, "I'll tell you, but first I want your answer to the exact same question.
" Shames then went on to describe his own emotional experiences involving the deaths of both of his parents over a recent eight-month span.
The grief, reflection, and introspection were all things it seemed as though Shames needed to revisit in order to qualify him for the task at hand.
Ultimately, answering each others challenge brought the two men closer together, which benefited the telling of the story immeasurably.
We clearly get the picture that Barton was the kind of guy who always jumped into things with both feet.
Whether it was the cross-country, green truck journey to the Rocky Mountains of his adventurous youth, the danger flouting of his acrobatic ski-jumping days, or his many forays into business, Barton was someone who had no qualms about getting hurt, doing it wrong, or failing completely.
One way or the other, he was at least going to try.
Barton draws on his experiences as a sometime, carefree nomad of yesteryear to psychologically manage his advancing illness.
He makes no secret of, or apology for, the value living in the moment can have in both the best of times and worst of times.
In fact, with a sort of joyful eeriness, Barton takes us on his voyage of worldly descent with amazing alacrity, describing in sublime detail how the past, present and future are all becoming one the closer he gets to the end.
And the end of the Peter Barton story is superbly told by Barton himself, sharing what he now sees as something possessing a richness and texture he did not expect.
So close to death, yet full of life, Barton confesses he did not achieve or even find the calm he is now feeling.
It found him.
Not Fade Away engrossed me so completely, I read it in a day and a half, unable to put it aside.
For anyone wrestling with their own mortality, Peter Barton's story is sure to offer inspiration and encouragement.
I highly recommend this book-even if you are not dying.