by Elton John
First published 2012
Elton John opens his heart about the AIDS epidemic that devastated his world in the 1980s. He watched friends die one after another from the disease. The singer formed a deep bond with Ryan White, a young boy from Indiana who faced rejection because of his HIV status. Ryan's courage during his illness and his eventual death sparked two crucial insights for Elton. His personal life had spiraled out of control. He needed to take action against the AIDS crisis. These realizations launched Elton's mission to combat both the disease and the shame surrounding it. The Elton John AIDS Foundation emerged from this commitment, raising $275 million for the global fight against AIDS. Elton shares intimate memories of his relationships with Ryan White, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, and Elizabeth Taylor. He reveals how these connections shaped his understanding of love, loss, and responsibility. The book chronicles the foundation's work while exploring how tragedy can inspire meaningful change.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, activism
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, social-change
Period: 1980s
259 pages · Hardcover · Little, Brown and Company
Content warnings: death, terminal-illness