Love Is the Cure: On Life, Loss, and the End of AIDS

In the 1980s, Elton John saw friend after friend, loved one after loved one, perish needlessly from AIDS. In the midst of the plague, he befriended Ryan White, a young Indiana boy ostracized by his town and his school because of the HIV infection he had contracted from a blood transfusion. Ryan's inspiring life and devastating death led Elton to two realizations: His own life was a mess. And he had to do something to help stop the AIDS crisis.

Since then, Elton has dedicated himself to overcoming the plague and the stigma of AIDS. He has done this through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised and donated $275 million to date to fighting the disease worldwide. Love Is The Cure is Elton's personal account of his life during the AIDS epidemic, including stories of his close friendships with Ryan White, Freddie Mercury, Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, and others, and the story of the Elton John AIDS Foundation. With powerful conviction and emotional force, Elton conveys the personal toll AIDS has taken on his life — and his infinite determination to stop its spread.

Elton writes, This is a disease that must be cured not by a miraculous vaccine, but by changing hearts and minds, and through a collective effort to break down social barriers and to build bridges of compassion. Why are we not doing more? This is a question I have thought deeply about, and wish to answer-and help to change-by writing this book.

Sales of Love Is the Cure benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

"Elton John lends his voice to this heartrending account of the worldwide AIDS epidemic. From his eye-opening relationship with AIDS crusader Ryan White to frank confessions about his demons and addictions, John's performance perfectly captures the author's emotions, outrage, and determination to the cause. John maintains that compassion is key to solving the AIDS crisis — a problem exacerbated by ignorance and stigmatization. Moments of anger are handled with a sharp edge, while his rendering of deep emotion is never melodramatic. John's natural accent is a joy to listen to — although at times listeners might expect a breakout song from the musician. John's performance is a winning one and his message of love is convincing. A Little, Brown hardcover. (July)" Publishers Weekly Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.