Incurable: A Life after Diagnosis Hardcover – May 19, 2011

In the summer of 1962, I dated the author, Charles Harris. We were both reared in Jacksonville FL but moved away after graduating college, I to Atlanta and he to NYC. One night in 2020, I was (really) bored so I googled some old friends and boyfriends. This is how I learned that Charles had passed from cancer in 2010 and left behind this beautifully-written story of his journey.Had I not known him personally, I still would have been inspired by Charles' uniquely practical, bold perspective on life and its denouement. He handled it all with typical aplomb, creating an engaging read in the process ... a tutorial of sorts on living each and every day to full measure and managing whatever comes your way with style and grace.The only issue I have with his beautiful book is personal: Wonderment as to why his wife, Susan, in completing Charles' work, did not include photographs of him as a young man in Jacksonville and, later, at Princeton. Charles Harris was uniquely handsome and, in fact, stunning, with what we called back then "bedroom eyes." I simply wish, in memory, that at least one of his earlier photographs had been among those chosen.

The author begins with details of treatment and decisions, but the book morphs into deeply-thoughtful analyses of issues that are important to any life. Most enriching.

I knew the author well and so I avoided reading this book for a while because I knew it would be so difficult. Ironically I found the book to be much more life affirming than I expected. Charles writes with grace and humor about a subject most of us avoid thinking about at all costs.Charles does not varnish over the difficulties and pain, but his love for his wife and children, along with his unquenchable intellectual curiosity make for an inspiring and compelling read. If you choose to read this book, you'll come to know a truly good man and will finish the book with a renewed passion for enjoying your life and family. I know this is not a book one would choose to casually read, but I am sure you will be glad you did and I can guarantee you will not soon forget the author or his story.