Tracy, your love, our family, and the extraordinary life we share, I spill it all and you never censor and never complain. What a wild, wonderful world we’ve made. You are the fuel that gets me through every day and everything I do. You make all the good things possible. We carry on together and thrive. I love you and can’t wait for what comes next.
Sam, make no mistake, I do love you more than Gus. I couldn’t ask for a better son, or a better friend to laugh with. Aquinnah, how could someone who works so hard still have the energy to be so funny? You’re witty, wise, and winsome. Schuyler, I know you’re looking out for me all of the time, and I’m looking out for you. And yes, it would’ve happened anyway. Esmé, Class of 2020, the last one out of the nest. Let’s face it, you got a raw deal, but rose above a tough situation to see the bigger picture. You have spirit, perspective, and smarts.
I love you all, and I love being your Dood.
Mom, I hope you’re out of quarantine when you read this. Thank you for teaching me to work hard, and to love everybody. Dad, I still can’t believe you drove me to L.A. I feel you with me all the time. Steve, Jackie, Kelli: Thank you for everything. I feel so lucky that we’ve remained close in spite of the geographic distance between us. I look forward to our family get-togethers, along with Laureen, the kids, and the kids’ kids. Karen, you are forever with us.
Stephen Pollan. As I wrote this book, it became clearer to me, and hopefully to the reader, that you will forever be The Answer Man. You embodied serenity. Also, like you said, it does get better … but it was better when you were here.
Corky, the thoroughly modern matriarch. I’ve never seen you angry, and I’ve never seen you sit down. You are a true inspiration, and the best mother-in-law I could ever ask for. Michael and Judith, Lori and Bob, Dana and Mitchell, and the cousins: I know you guys are in my corner, and your love and kindness are appreciated.
Michael Pollan. Sensei. You read the first few pages of this manuscript and expressed enthusiasm and encouragement. I’d check in every few chapters, and you would say, “Keep going.” And I did, whilst heeding your buzzwords … truth and velocity. I hope you approve.
Thanks to my former assistant—now manager—Nina Tringali. You are always there for me, while at the same time being one step ahead. You really are Radar O’Reilly. My love and gratitude know no bounds. I could not have survived this book or the insanity of the past few years without you. I know the sacrifices you’ve made, and I thank you.
To Nelle Fortenberry, brilliant friend and longtime producing partner. With our backgrounds in television production, not publishing, we approached this book like we would a film or TV project. You did the heavy lifting, kept us on schedule, handled the research and the business details. You made it work. All I had to do was write. I can’t use paper and pen, as my handwriting is scrawl, or use a keyboard because I just tap out Morse code, so I dictated from my notes, which even I couldn’t decipher. You managed to type all of this as quickly as I said it, while—and this is the amazing part—listening creatively and critically, and formulating suggestions and ideas about how to shape the material. You not only helped me tell my story to the reader, but you helped tell it to me. This simply would not be a book without you. I am grateful. Love, your partner.
Harlan Coben and George Stephanopoulos, my golf uncles, lunch dates, and treasured friends. What can I say that I haven’t said? All the rounds, all the laughs, and the road trips. Unforgettable. Thanks to you both for the book advice, and to Harlan for your invaluable notes and suggestions. Also, love to Anne and the kids, and to Ali, Harper, and Elliott. Cam Neely: Thank you for decades of friendship. Welcome back from the Bubble. I’m sure Paulina, Jack, and Ava are happy to have you home. To Ted Davis: my steadfast, do-or-die, any-weather-any-time golf buddy. Thanks for everything.
Curtis, Carolyn, Ally, Brad, and Jack. It wouldn’t be a book without the Schenkers. We’re so lucky you’re in our lives.
Heartfelt thanks to the talented company of professionals at Flatiron Books, led by Bob Miller, President and Publisher. Bob, your belief in me as an author means a great deal. I appreciated your input on this book, as well as the others; consistently insightful and constructive. Thank you. Let’s do it again. For all of your creative contributions and support, my appreciation to Flatiron’s Megan Lynch, SVP and Publisher; Emily Walters, Managing Editor; Keith Hayes, Executive Art Director; Cristina Gilbert, VP, Associate Publisher; Marlena Bittner, VP, Director of Publicity; Nancy Trypuc, VP, Director of Marketing; Louis Grilli, Publishing Coordinator; Christopher Smith, Publicity Manager; Lauren Bittrich, Editorial Assistant; and to Michelle McMillian, Associate Director of Design at Macmillan Publishing. Special thanks to the accomplished Guy Oldfield at Macmillan Audio Books.
For embracing this book on the other side of the Atlantic, my gratitude to the UK group at Headline: Sarah Emsley, Publishing Director, Non-Fiction; Lou Swannell, Communications Director; and Fergus Edmondson, Marketing Director. Thanks also to my UK agent, Gordon Wise at Curtis Brown; and to Helen Manders, for handling the translating markets.
To my literary agent, the legendary Binky Urban. We survived another one. Thank you. And John DeLaney and Sam Fox (not that Sam Fox) at ICM, your hard work is greatly appreciated.
To my amazing editor, Leslie Wells. So smart and intuitive. You always understood what I was doing and encouraged me to take chances. Your turnaround time on notes, especially given the pandemic, was most impressive. This is not our first time working together, and it won’t be the last.
Leslie Sloane, my tenacious and talented publicist. Sloaney, just tell me where to go, who to talk to, and what to say. Appreciation also to Jami Kandel, who never drops the ball.
Mark Seliger, one of the great photographers of our time. So generous with your art. I am humbled by your loyalty and consistently thrilled by your genius.
Thank you, Ida Biering, for your rapid typing skills and good-natured Danish vibe. We loved working with you.
To my incredible medical team: Dr. Susan Bressman, the one and only. The best. Dr. Rony Shimony, truly the nicest man on the planet. My heart is in good hands. Dr. Leesa Galatz, having you fix my arm was a lucky break. Dr. Nicholas Theodore, I can’t thank you enough. I always know you’ve got my back.
To Joyce A., it’s all about “the smoking jacket.” With gratitude.
And thanks to Dr. Kim Rosenthal, DVM, for loving Gus as much as we do.
A healthy thank you to my physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and to all the others at Johns Hopkins and Mount Sinai who got me moving. A special nod to my PTs—and friends—Ryan Orser and Will Weinrauch, who make sure I keep moving. Thanks also to the skilled home health aides and nurses who put up with me while I healed, and to Akebah and Kenroy for the rides.
The “second act” of my career was filled with meaningful roles and valued friendships. Thank you to Bill Lawrence, David E. Kelley, Larry David, Robert and Michelle King, Julianna Margulies, Kiefer Sutherland, Spike Lee, and Stefon Bristol.
Denis Leary: you’re the f***ing hardest working man in f***ing show business. So happy that we got to work together. Even happier that we’re friends. And thank you, Ann. Training animals is impressive; putting up with Denis is f***ing heroic.
Seven years ago, I lost my friend and mentor Gary David Goldberg. Gary, none of this would have happened.…
Many thanks to my long-standing agents, the sagacious Peter Benedek and the wonderful Nancy Gates. And to Heidi Feigin for getting me out there.
For all things legal, and for being on my side for so many years, my gratitude to Cliff Gilbert-Lurie (who has a surprise cameo in the book) and Jamey Cohen. And to Cole Stephenson for swimming through all the paperwork. Much love to the diligent and dedicated Aaron Philpott, and his impressive team, Amber Hamilton, Vickie Vlahos, and Vincent Araneta. Thanks for taking care of business. Miss you, Bob.
To Keith Richards, Pirate King. Thank you.
Anne Marie Dunleavy and her entire team at Madison Square Garden, thanks for all the special care and consideration.
Mr. K, the turtle swims on. The next time you ink me, it will be Gus.
I am forever grateful to those who keep my life organized and in motion: Amuna Ali, Melida Smith, Noemi Dean, Marielle Kehoe, Caitlin Santora, and Billy Lyons.
And Will Savage for the shoulder.
Jimmy and Cherryl Choi: thanks for sharing your lives with us, first for our film and then for the book. You’re both heroes. Karina and Mason are lucky kids.
To the dedicated staff at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, skillfully led by Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Debi Brooks; and our excellent CEO, Todd Sherer, Ph.D. Thank you both for taking the time to review chapters of this manuscript and for your valuable input. Thanks also to the rest of our expert leadership team: Sohini Chowdhury, Holly Teichholtz, Jim McNasby, Brian Fiske, Ph.D, Mark Frasier, Ph.D, Will Fowler, Michele Golombuski, Jude Williamson, and Ted Thompson, J.D. With your guidance, and the hard work of our valued staff, board members, volunteers, and funders, I know we are destined to find a cure.