A Brief Word of Thanks

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This post is to say thank you to everyone who attended the two book launches in London and York. I had two great evenings and a lot of copies were sold.

I think York Waterstones still have some copies left, and you can search for it on the shop’s website,   or on Amazon, where, after a reprint (including the publishing of a paperback edition) it will soon be available.

Thank you to Waterstones for hosting the launch in York, and The Society Club for doing the same in London. Thank you also to Short Books Ltd for publishing my blog!

9 thoughts on “A Brief Word of Thanks”

  5. My grandson (your age) handed me your book last week saying he thought I might find it interesting. Oh yes! I’ve always considered myself a socialist but ashamed to say I knew relatively little about communism. Now, thanks to your book with its fascinating collection of blogs, I feel I know rather more. Your writing is both fresh and accessible and makes the subject matter compelling – the little red book accompanied me on a recent visit south – and I have felt the need to return to some of the blogs again. A great achievement and I offer my congratulations. I feel fortunate that your work has been introduced to me – thank you – and well done!

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  6. Hi Max, just read your Guardian article, it was very sobering and has helped me appreciate life for what it is without any ‘fluffy bullshit’, thank you for sharing those wise words, who knows how many other people you have helped? Good luck, you seem like an extraordinary person – kindest regards my friend – Joe

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  7. Hi Max. I was rather overwhelmed by your Guardian article today. I have ordered your book and a copy for my grandson who is your age. I hope the sales go through the roof.

    Love Terri Charman

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  8. Hey Max,
    I’m another cancer patient and I too write a blog (mainly about that as opposed to what you do) trying to help others and get them through their struggles sorta thing.

    I read your article in the Guardian and wanted to say it’s great how you’ve managed to handle your situation. When I was diagnosed with leukaemia (AML), I was devastated… as everyone is. But after a while of that devastation, depression and anger/the inevitable and incessant question – “Why Me??” I took a step back from it all and decided, let’s look at what happened to me as if it had happened to someone else. Objectively I guess. And when I did that, I realised that in the end, all those thoughts, those emotions were coming from ME, my brain, my mind. So why do that to myself? Why not instead think about what I should do? What that should be, I saw, was to just be as happy and healthy as possible. No matter what.

    All those obstacles in the way, whenever they came (they were usually myself – my doubts and fears), I’d do the same – take that step back and break it down to its bare assumptions and work at a solution from there. The chemo and the pain, well, yeah, they would suck. But weren’t they also a medication. the thing that could get me outta this, or outta pain and misery? My being diagnosed young, well I felt like I was cursed, and that was really bringing me down. But when I questioned why I felt that way, wasn’t it also a blessing – I could fight through the hardest treatments and survive, even thrive beyond them right? That sorta thing.

    And one thing that I told myself, at the start, and when I relapsed, was that if I was told bad news, and I was at relapse before I ended up finding the drug that’s probably kept me alive, that I could look at that all as “Oh damn… I’ve only got 3 months to live…” or as “I’ve got 3 months left to LIVE!” To make the most of everything and just do as much and be as much as I can. And that I could always look at everyone, and fear not only their bawling their eyes out, but also mine, or I could try and make the most of our time together, and get to know people as well as I could and stay close to those who are close. I guess it never ended up coming to that… but I’ve told many patients the same in their last few months (I hate that I have to do that too many times) and it helped them.

    All those things, I put down to not some type of bravery or strength or anything, rather logic… From that step back, and from that questioning why and stuff, taking those steps and thinking what the best thing I should do, what I’d tell others if they were in my positon – that got me through those moments. And it’s helping me now too (I’m studying medicine, trying to get this new mehtod of attacking cancers out there sorta thing right now. Sorta thinking about patenting something too down the track…. and I’ve started an interesting social enterprise start up too – I’ll see where that goes soon).

    I figured you’re a logicla guy. And despite how you’re dealing with it now, you may come to some road bumps along the way. If or when you do – I hope this strategy/mentality helps. And I’m always a message away too if you wanna talk.
    My blog’s at http://www.nikhilthegrizzlybear.blogspot.com and there’s a FB page on it/my email which I get notifications from more seriously.

    I really wish you all the best man. And I’m gonna read through your blog too – this sorta thing (especially in the context of global health and inequality) but yeah! Happy to talk whenever, and again, I wish you all the best.

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  9. Hi Max
    I am Helen, a friend of the ‘Wings’ (Hannah and my daughter Ariana are great mates). I feel compelled to write to you as I was SO inspired by your piece in the Guardian – what an incredible writer you are and what strength you will give to so many others. I have now read your blogs and hold you in even greater admiration! I look forward to buying your book and wish you love and peace in whatever lies ahead for you ….

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