Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer

by Jeff Stewart, Rose Green (Illustrator), Franklin Knox (Photographer)

As heard on the hit podcast Cancer in the Form of a Question . Jeff Stewart is a Jeopardy! champion and pharma insider whose cancer was discovered when he tried to donate his kidney. Stewart’s story of facing cancer with composure is inspiring.

“Insider advice for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis.” —NPR

“This remarkable memoir is the product of taking the time to say goodbye when given the opportunity and leaving behind a history and legacy for the loved one's left to grieve the loss—a final and powerful act of love.” —BookLife (Editor’s Pick)

“A moving message-in-a-bottle from a great Jeopardy! champion.” —Ken Jennings

“Complex and thoughtful, with a refreshingly upbeat attitude.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Beautifully written and powerful. Frank and funny and totally honest and much needed in the cancer conversation.” —Marc Silver, author of Breast Cancer Husband

“Page-turner full of wisdom and wit.” —Columbia Gorge News

“Flat-out one of the best books I’ve read in years. A major new talent.” —Cover to Cover Book Beat

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2023

About the author

Jeff Stewart is a healthcare consultant, scientist, inventor, award-winning playwright, and father of seven. He was a Jeopardy! College Champion and runner-up in the Tournament of Champions. Jeff lives in Cary, North Carolina.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Because my husband has the same cancer as the author, I loved reading Stewart's cancer story. Interspersed with that story are 100 "Inspirations," bits of wisdom the author wants his kids to know about life. It's readable, smart, and wry. Highly recommended.

[Mark Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Jeffrey Stewart's writing for a long time. It isn't his breath of knowledge, as a former Jeopardy champion and as a scientist, that is compelling. It is his relentless and deeply honest self-examination, his keen insight, and his masterful brevity that captivate me. Each gem of though has been cut and polished to perfection. This father poignantly shares these gems with his children, and with us, as he faces the uncertainty of his survival. This book radiates love, humanity, and truth, mixed with down-to-earth practical advice.

[Carolyn Lai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good for your soul, look at how to navigate a good intention that results in unexpected negative news, into a positive outcome. Jeffrey Stewart took the shock of a cancer diagnosis and brilliantly turned it into a poignantly moving, beautifully written, brutally honest masterpiece meant for his children, and thankfully shared with us all. I couldn’t put it down, and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend this (my new favorite) book and I have gone back and read many of his 100 Inspirations.

[Marsha Scarbrough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff Stewart has stage four stomach cancer. He's a smart guy, a "Jeopardy" champion. He knows a lot about cancer treatment since he works for a company that develops and markets cancer drugs. When he found out that he had two types of cancer, both with no symptoms, he tackled his diagnosis with calm courage. As a husband and father of seven children, he worried he wouldn't be around to advise and enjoy his family. He decided to write a book as a legacy. He mixes his life story with details of his cancer treatment and adds inspirational observations about life. "Living: Inspiration from a Father with Cancer" is a gripping read. If you or someone you love has cancer, it can serve as both anchor and North Star. In turn helpful, inspirational, and informative, "Living" is poignant without being melodramatic. Jeff manages to balance courage and dread, life and death. He demonstrates how to be brave and loving all at once.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in the same Oregon town a few years apart. I did not know him or his family but saw his posts during Covid on FB. His knowledge rang true for me so on ever occasion I could I backed him up. I loved the format of how he wrote the book as a memoir and lessons for his kids. The science stuff might turn some off but with my own cancer journey, I found it interesting. I related to every thing he wrote about. Not same cancer but in my book dealing with a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment has similar struggles and thoughts no matter what type you have. I really liked this book.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend reading this book, even if you are not experiencing cancer in your family or within your circle of friends. It's funny, it's real, it's life-affirming, it's scary, it's educational.

I come from a family filled with cancer, and also am a 2 time survivor. I'm lucky and I will always have survivor guilt when I've seen very close friends die from cancers. Life is unfair, and the best you can do is emulate Mr. Stewart by reading and acting upon his advice in this book.

[Nathan Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very real book that shows just how the real possibility of death sharpens the focus on what is really important.