Fully Alive

Discovering What Matters Most

By: Timothy Shriver

Narrated by: David Drummond

At a time when we are all more rudderless than ever, we look for the very best teachers and mentors to guide us. InFully Alive, an unusual and gripping memoir, Timothy Shriver shows how his teachers have been the world's most forgotten minority: people with intellectual disabilities. In these pages we meet the individuals who helped him come of age and find a deeper and more meaningful way to see the world. Shriver's journey begins close to home, where the quiet legacy of his aunt Rosemary, a Kennedy whose intellectual disability kept her far from the limelight, inspired his family to devote their careers to helping the most vulnerable. He plays alongside the children of Camp Shriver, his mother's revolutionary project, which provided a space for children with intellectual disabilities to play, and years later he gains invaluable wisdom from the incredible athletes he befriends as chairman of the organization it inspired, Special Olympics. Fully Alive is both a moving personal journey and a meditation on some of the greatest wisdom and the greatest contradictions of our society. Is disability to be feared or welcomed, pitied or purged? Shriver argues that we all have different abilities and challenges we should embrace. We see how those who appear powerless have turned this seeming shortcoming into a power of their own, and we learn that we are all totally vulnerable and valuable at the same time.

©2014 Timothy Shriver (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Sincere, profound and deeply satisfying." ( Kirkus Starred Review)

Very Inspring

At first I thought this was only about the history of the Special Olympics. Really, it was about the journey of Timothy Shriver as he came to know himself, his soul, God, and love. There are some deep philosophical conversations in this book. I will need to read it again to digest it even better.

a legend of compassion and social activism embodie

I am so impressed by this book and the history and context it emerges from. The stories of family and ethical imperative that Tim grew up with is quite exceptional and compelling. I suggest this as essential reading for anyone empowered to follow a path of philanthropy and/or social good. In truth there are no disabled people just a system that has confused intellectualism with intelligence and love as a mere sentiment.

here in the pages of this exciting book Tim Shriver describes the legacy his family with a passion and insight reserved for great souls and purposeful mentors to needed reforms in the definitive inions of worthy citizens and the magic of nurture
compared to Nature..

I have never been so inspired and challenged in the best sense until I read his book and I have read and listened to tens of thousands of books. But this one volume says all the truth we need to have in our hearts to navigate the world as it is.
Bravo! More like this..

Eye opening book

Great story for Kennedy fans but much deeper. Probably one of the few authors who hasn't irritated me with overbearing faith discussions. The story is about helping those in need and the realization that they are helping us understand the meaning of life and what is important in life. A great section on Nelson Mandela. Really a heart warming book. Will I serve in the special Olympics or similar orgs? Will I help those in need? Or will I continue to do my crappy back office computer job? I hope that I have enough strength to step outside of my comfort zone and will try to do something that truly makes me feel proud and happy with my life. This book is helping me get that strength.

Indescribable brilliance

Every person on this planet should read this, share this and experience the love portrayed in this book. Beautiful stories showing that through all our differences we are all much alike. Most profound impact I’ve ever experienced while reading. Needs 10 Stars!

I read this book three times and recommend it highly to folks who need to build compassion and community in their lives.

Must read for anyone who finds it uncomfortable to look a disabled child or adult in the eyes , smile and greet them.

Not what I was looking for

I didn't get through first chapter. I found it very sad and too religious. I was looking for a historical biography type of book. It

We Want Normalcy

As a person with a severe disability (cerebral palsy from birth), I’m not too sure what I think about this book. Timothy Shriver wrote “Fully Alive” to bring more awareness for people with disabilities. He briefly touched the Intellectual disability (ID) and the Developmental disability (DD) community, but most of his examples were more sympathetic. If you asked any person with a disability what they want the most, they will tell you that we want normalcy.