Morton Kondracke's "Saving Milly: Love, Politics, and Parkinson's Disease" is a powerful description of what life is like for families and victims touched by life-altering debilitating disease. In this surprisingly honest account, Kondracke describes his wife's struggle with the cruel and degenerative Parkinson's disease and his own transformation from an admittedly self-centered ambitious journalist into a more sensitive and loving caregiver.

While much of the book is focused on describing Milly's heartbreaking descent into the hell of Parkinson's, it also describes Morton's ascent into his new role as a leading advocate for increased funding of medical research. It contains an eye opening and sometimes disturbing discussion of the politics and competitive nature of medical research funding.

"Saving Milly" packs an emotional punch, particularly as Kondracke discusses the horrible choices he and Milly face as her physical condition deteriorates. One can only hope that the research made possible by Morton's activism will result in a cure or improved treatment in time to truly save Milly.

"Saving Milly" is one of those rare self revelatory books that also contain a deeply passonate message for all to heed. For most of us, "In sickness and in health" are words avowed with no real snse of what they may mean. Morton Kondracke invites, cajoles and reveals to us the essence of what these words hold. Touchingly told, "Saving Milly" also contains a message about the reality of medical funding in America, or perhaps I should say, the reality of the lack of it, and urges all of us to become advocates for what we beleive in: love, commitment and passion for our particular cause. As we read this book, we too will be moved to help tilt the world in a slightly better direction. And in the process, perhaps, we will remember to reach into our own souls and tederly touch those whom we deeply love.

I found this book hard to read, but definitely worth the effort. It was hard for me to read because this true story about a remarkable woman devastated by Parkinson's Disease put a lump in my throat and tear in my eye throughout. I greatly admire her spirit and grieve her lost capabilities.

This is a 5 star book and well worth reading because of what a reader can learn from Morton Kondracke about courage, faith, love and doing God's work in a very political struggle for more funding for Parkinson's Disease research. It's hard to imagine anyone being more openly and honestly critical of their own perceived and real shortcomings as a person and husband than Mort is. I've always liked him as an astute political commentator, even though his views are often more liberal than mine. Now I admire him as an author and a crusader for a great cause, but mainly as a human being.

Everyone should read this book. It's very well written and doesn't avoid anything I could imagine. It won't entertain you, but it will present you with a picture of a struggle you may be a part of someday and will give you a chance to consider whether you'll be able to deal with that struggle as well as Mort and Milly have. They're both on my hero/heroine list now and in my prayers.