Forever Terry, edited by Darrell Fox, is a wonderful tribute to the 40th anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope. This collection of letters written by many well-known Canadians really demonstrates that his legacy still lives on today. It is an inspiring and heart-felt book that will be loved by those who are familiar with the story of Terry Fox and those who are just learning about this iconic Canadian.
Title: Forever Terry: A Legacy in LettersAuthor: Darrell Fox
Publisher: Viking
Genres: Biography, Non-Fiction
Publication Date: September 1, 2020
Rating:
Terry Fox defined perseverance and hope for a generation of Canadians. Forty years after Terry's run ended, Forever Terry reflects what Terry's legacy means to us now, and in the future.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the Marathon of Hope, Forever Terry: A Legacy in Letters recounts the inspiration, dedication, and perseverance that Terry Fox embodied, and gives voice to an icon whose example spoke much louder than his words. Comprising 40 letters from 40 contributors, and edited by Terry's younger brother Darrell on behalf of the Fox family, Forever Terry pays tribute to Terry's legacy, as seen through the eyes of celebrated Canadians ranging from Margaret Atwood, Bobby Orr, Perdita Felicien, Jann Arden, and Christine Sinclair, to those who accompanied Terry on his run, Terry Fox Run organizers, participants, supporters, and cancer champions. Appearing alongside never-before-seen photos of their hero, their reflections reveal connections that readers would never have expected, and offer a glimpse into the way goodness and greatness inspire more of the same.
Forever Terry is a testament to the influence one brave man has had on the shape of Canadian dreams, ambitions, and commitment to helping others. Author proceeds support the Terry Fox Foundation, which has raised over $800 million for cancer research.
Contributors include Hayley Wickenheiser, Tom Cochrane, Darryl Sittler, Shawn Ashmore, Doug Alward, Nadine Caron, Douglas Coupland, Rick Hansen, Sidney Crosby, Akshay Grover, Lloyd Robertson, Bret Hart, Leslie Scrivener, Isadore Sharp, Wayne Gretzky, Jim Pattison, Catriona Le May Doan, Malindi Elmore, Michael Bublé, Silken Laumann, Steve Nash, Karl Subban, and Marissa Papaconstantinou, among many others.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Forever Terry by Darrell Fox
Terry Fox started on his Marathon of Hope when I was in elementary school. While I don’t think that I fully grasped how much Terry endured while on his cross-country run, I remember the images and the feeling of pride that we all had as kids. He is a true Canadian hero that we looked up to and talked about on the playground. It was an era that definitely inspired so many of us and continues to do so until this day. Reading this book reminded me of the importance to keep my head up despite whatever life throws at me. It is especially true of our current realities in the world.
❀ Many Inspirational stories
The book starts off with a foreword written by Michael Bublé and I was pleasantly surprised by his moving words. Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical of what he was going to contribute to a book commemorating Terry Fox. Without spoiling his powerful message, I will say that no matter who you are or what you are going through, Terry’s journey is one that will inspire you. There are so many stories like this within the pages of the book.
❀ Lots of well-known Canadians’ letters
A few of my favourites are from Darrell Fox, Doug Alward, Rick Hansen, Hayley Wickenheiser, Lloyd Robertson, and Bobby Orr. Many of the submissions are from famous athletes who retell stories of meeting Terry or about the way he has inspired them to be their best. Some will make you laugh out loud, others will leave you in tears, but many will inspire and cause you to reflect.
❀ A Wonderful Gift
If you are in the mood for a feel-good book that will leave you with a message of hope, Forever Terry by Darrell Fox is one to add to your fall reading list. It will make a wonderful gift, as it also has quite a few images that tell so much about who Terry was and what he stood for. What’s also fantastic to note is that Penguin Random House Canada will donate all author proceeds to The Terry Fox Foundation.
About Darrell Fox
DARRELL FOX is the younger brother of Terry Fox. In late May 1980, at the age of 17, Darrell joined Terry (and Terry's best friend Doug Alward) on his Marathon of Hope in Saint John, New Brunswick. Darrell has had a long history of involvement with the legacy founded by his brother beyond spending 4 months in a smelly Ford Econoline van witnessing Terry take on the impossible. In 1990, Darrell became the provincial director for The Terry Fox Foundation in British Columbia. In 1994, he moved to the National Office in Toronto, Ontario where he served as the assistant national director and then national director of the Terry Fox Foundation from January 1996 until June 2009. Today Darrell serves on the TFRI's Board of Directors, is a Senior Advisor to the Institute and along with fellow descendants of Betty and Rolly Fox is a member of both the Terry Fox Foundation and Terry Fox Research Institute. A holder of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, Darrell continues to be involved in fundraising, story and recognition initiatives related to Terry Fox and his legacy.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
This would make a good gift for Christmas!
For sure!
This definitely sounds inspiring!
Yes! Terry has been very inspirational to so many. 🙂
This book sounds so inspirational, I love it! 😀
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Such a great story!
I think we can also use some hopeful and inspirational books these days!
Right?! I definitely need some every day/ 🙂
Michael Bulbé? How surpsising! One year ago we had an inspirational speaker at work. It was a Scottish climber who had lost both his legs and arms while trapped atop a mountain in France. The battle he led against his condition to climb again was …outstanding! And he did it! These life stories truly humble me and make me reflect on my own complaints.
Oooh! That sounds like a fantastic speaker! I will have to look for his story as well. 🙂
this sounds like a very good book that I should read! Thank you for sharing
I hope that you enjoy it!
Great review. This book sounds very triumphant. 🙂
Thank you! It absolutely is! 🙂
This sounds like a very inspiring read. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for stopping by!
This sounds like an inspiring book!
Thanks for sharing!
He looks like a very inspiring person. Great gift idea!
I am unfamiliar with Terry’s story but thanks to this post, I will be looking into him
I love stories that make me feel good! This sounds so good! Thanks for sharing!
This is the first time I’ve heard of this book and it is one I’d like to read!
Sounds really interesting
Such an inspirational story, I would love to read this
thanks for your review. wow I have never heard about this man. wow this is so cool