Not Fade Away: A Short Life Well Lived

Very inspirational, memorable book to read

I loved this book. It will remain a classic on my shelf and I will give it to friends who might be going through a difficult time at the end of their lives. Peter Barton was a fantastically successful man in the business world, amassing a fortune in his 30s through investments in Cable TV during its early years. Yet money for its own sake was never his main motivation. His father had died suddenly of a heart attack leaving him with his mother and two siblings at an early age. He did all he could to take care of himself and pack as much passion into every year of his life as he could from an early age. He married and had three children. He became a very devoted family man who cherished his family life.The biggest irony was he found out he had stomach cancer in his 40s. As he became less well he decided to allow Laurence Shames into his life to co author a memoir of his last months. He wanted his family to remember his thoughts and accomplisments, his advice, the risks he took, his successes, but also some dangerous or perhaps not so well thought times in his youth too. He was so open,so unguarded,such an admirable person.It was a privilege to get to know this man, and he chose the perfect co author. Laurence Shames helped fashion a beautiful memoir.

This is a great book. I bought it to read when a friend of mine was suffering with cancer, along with a book by Father Jim Willig, "Lessons from the School of Suffering." Both helped me better understand what my friend was going through.Peter Barton was, most obviously, a tremendously charismatic character with a zest for life. The author does a masterful job of telling Peter's story, not dwelling too heavily on anything irrelevant so as to portray a clear vision of the man in the mind's eye of the reader. We follow Peter from childhood through his successes and eventual brilliant career with Liberty Media to his heartbreaking experience with stomach cancer, a devastating disease that befell him in the prime of his life.After reading Mr. Shames' book, I wished I could have met Peter Barton. "What a guy, what a tragedy," I thought. I found a video interview with Peter on the Internet, made during his time at Liberty Media, and I could see the magic Shames portrayed in words. He appeared to be every bit the energetic, charismatic entrepreneur with a love for life and a smile that could melt snow or sell you ocean-front property in Boise, Idaho. "So long, Peter," or should I say, "So short, Peter?" You shall not fade away.Easy reading and a well-told story. I highly recommend this book.

Mr. Shames wrote a poignant and very real account of the disease that took his life at a very early age. I read this a couple years ago, and just re-read after hearing the story of a "younger" person stricken with cancer. This book will inspire, but will also force the reader to consider; "What would I do? Would I have that much grace and zest and enthusiasm?" The dirt-nap gets us all, this book demonstrates how one man dealt with his impending demise---and teaches valuable life-lessons that we could all use. Highly recommended.

I loved this book. I am very much a type A driven personality. This book made an incredibly impact on my life by poignantly reminding me to focus on what it important. Peter Barton's reflections are heartwarming and moving and are easily transferable to the reader's life. I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. Especially those driven people in our lives who are always focused on the future or the next great accomplishment.

I first learned of Peter Barton's death in the quarterly alumni news letter that I receive from the Loomis School.I ordered the book when I saw mention of it. I was several years behind Peter, but knew him since it was not a large school.He was an athletic and confident senior, as I remember him, and oddly after all these years I can still recall his face.The book details his life with candor,and I enjoyed reading his story; and I was saddened to learn of his death from a carcinoma.I thought the book was well worth the time. There are a few denigrating reviews in this list at Amazon, but I think they miss the point. He may have been fortunate, or lucky, in many ways, but he appreciated that- many of us do not.I do indeed recommend this book.

It was an OK read. A few philosophical lessons sprinkled throughout. Mundane and repetitive at times with respect to his love for his family.

Read this book. Then made my dad read the book. Then begged all my friends to read the book. Most stories I read like this are powerful and maybe change my behavior for the better for 1-2 weeks and then I get caught back up in life. Not this book. Life changing.

Perfect shipping time.Great book that will change your perspective on your life.

A brilliantly written sad but inspiring story. Its the first time in my life I've had to bite my lip and look away from a book because emotions were taking over. Highly recommended.

Truly inspiring, it’s centred on the thoughts of a dyeing man not on the business side

Really interesting book. Need to be read at least once in a life time

On time. Product as requested. Recommended