Christopher Reeve begins his heroic reading of Still Me with aspecial introduction, including this message: "Now, this audiobook allowsme to communicate with you in a very personal way, second only to being inthe same room." Personal indeed. Hearing Reeve tell his account of thenear-fatal riding accident on Memorial Day 1995 is a life-alteringexperience. He seems to struggle through some of the more personalpassages, and there's always the slight hissing sound of the respirator,reminding you how difficult an undertaking this must have been. Shortlyafter the accident, he recalls waking up and thinking, "This can't be mylife, there's been a mistake." But by the audiobook's end, not only has hereclaimed his own life, but he's given hope to hundreds of thousands ofothers around the world with spinal cord injuries. His is a heartfelt taleof triumph over tragedy.

Admittedly he wouldn't be where he is today without the undying love andencouragement of his wife, Dana; when he speaks of her, it's clear that he'sas smitten today as he was when they first met. Reeve also credits theiryoung son Will and a huge supporting cast of family and friends. Whilestill in the early days of his long hospital stay, 3-year-old Will askedhis mom if his dad would ever be able to walk or to play soccer with him.Dana answered, "We don't know sweetheart, but maybe not." Will thoughtabout this for a moment, and concluded cheerfully, "Well he can stillsmile." Hearing the actor voice these words causes a powerful tug at yourheartstrings.

Reeve talks of having led an incredibly active life before the accident,and laments his inability to do so now, without making you feel sorryfor him. Not only was he an accomplished rider, he also was a pilot, asailor, a skier, and excelled in many other sports. And his participationin, and love for, the theater and the silver screen kept him busy nearlyfull-time.Still Me begins with the accident, then weaves back andforth between past and present, creating a thorough biography of Reeve'slife. Reeve tells of his childhood, his early theater roles and theatricaltraining, and his first real experience as a public figure following aprominent role in a popular soap opera--a recollection that elicits achuckle or two from our reader. Though we will likely never see Reeve don tightsand a bright red cape again as he did in his unforgettable role ofSuperman, some believe that he has become the superhero he once merelyportrayed. (running time 3 hours, 2 cassettes) --Colleen Preston