MY NAME IS MARY A MEMOIR BY MARY FISHER [Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Mary Fisher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1996

""The AIDS virus is not a political creature. It does not care whether you are Democrat or Republican. It does not ask whether you are Black or White, male or female, gay or straight, young or old. Tonight I represent an AIDS community whose members have been reluctantly drafted from every segment of American society."" So said Mary Fisher in her historic speech at the 1992 Republican National Convention. "My Name Is Mary" chronicles the emotional events leading up to and following this momentous evening. In a memoir that exhibits the same grace and unflinching honesty that moved the nation, Mary Fisher shares the story of her life. Raised in a socially prominent, affluent Michigan family, Mary Fisher seemed to have it all. She socialized with important and often famous friends and eventually married a handsome artist with whom she had two sons. Although the marriage ended in divorce, Mary continued to thrive in her roles as mother and artist. However, in 1991 Mary's world was turned upside down by the news from her ex-husband that he had AIDS. An HIV test revealed that Mary, too, was infected. Terrified, struggling against fear, depression, and anger, Mary ultimately found a new life mission in her positive status -- she began to educate others about the need for compassion and activism in the face of this epidemic. Her unspoken motto is powerful -- one person can, indeed, make a difference. Whether describing her difficult childhood, reflecting on raising her two sons, discussing her evolution as an artist, or explaining her coping mechanisms for survival, "My Name Is Mary" is warm, caring, and inspirational -- like Mary Fisher herself.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Those who think of Fisher as "the Republican poster girl for AIDS" may find themselves surprised by this sensitive and frank description of her life, her weaknesses, and her disease. She is particularly insistent that she not be regarded as a heroine, and those who have praised her and her book range from President Ford to Larry Kramer. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

Fisher (Sleep with the Angels) shifts gears in the middle of this autobiography, which starts as a whiny account bemoaning the divorce of her parents, her birth father's subsequent loss of interest in her, her mother's alcoholism, her own alcoholism and her two failed marriages. But the mood alters abruptly when ex-second husband Brian is diagnosed with AIDS and Fisher learns that she is HIV-positive. The shock of her death sentence transforms her into a stalwart battler for those similarly afflicted: she goes public with her illness and becomes such an activist and prominent speaker that she is invited to address the Republican national convention in 1992, where she shines. As "the Republican poster girl for AIDS," Fisher continues to be a courageous activist, and now views herself as "a pilgrim on the road to AIDS." The last few chapters especially are filled with deeply moving passages. Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Audioworks (February 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067155946X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671559465
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,073,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, July 9, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: MY NAME IS MARY A MEMOIR BY MARY FISHER (Audio Cassette)

This audio book was fantastic. It is included on my short list of audio books that I've listened to more than once. But the book was published in 1996, can anyone tell me what has happened to Mary Fischer since then?

Why did I like the book so much? It was well-written. Read by the author, it was sincere and heartfelt. Mary Fischer's life has been filled with many challenges. The listener may have experienced some of these challenges: life with an alcoholic parent, marital problems and divorce, lack of recognition at work, dealing with a deadly disease. But whether the listener has first-hand experience with a particular problem or not, Mary's narrative will pull at your heart, put you in her shoes, make your heart beat a little quicker at the tense moments, bring a lump to your throat at others.

I listened to this book during a week that I was particularly down about my long commute and work situation. I couldn't have made a better choice. I wish Mary Fischer well and thank her for sharing her story.