Cil, I think you'd like it.
When I was on vacation, I picked up a book from the library of my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's bookshelf called "Not Fade Away: A Short Life Well Lived" by Laurence Shames (an Esquire columnist) and Peter Barton. It's both an uplifting and sad autobiography about the life of Peter Barton (founder and CEO of Liberty Media). Peter Barton died in his early 50's but decided to write this book when he realized he was terminally ill (I think he wrote it for his children so they would know him and so that he could teach them while he had a chance). I could not put the book down. He was someone who embraced life fully as a risk-taker, entrepreneur, etc., and who embraced the opportunity to leave behind this book that is full of wisdom, humor, and a good story. As a baby boomer, he takes us through his childhood, the 60's, and the ups and downs of his career, as well as finding out he was terminally ill and how he dealt with that. Just a lovely book (Dave Barry's endorsement on the cover said "This is a wise, funny, and intensely true book -- a generous gift from an amazing guy to those of us who are so busy getting through life that we sometimes forget why we're living. Sooner or later, we'll all make the journey Peter Barton took; now, thanks to him, it doesn't look so scary."
Clearly, between reading "Isaac's Storm" and this book, I was ready to get away from light reading for a while! Next on my list are "A Thread of Grace" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night" and "The Mermaid's Chair" and Bel Canto -- all recommended on this thread -- thank you!