Believing in Magic - by Cookie Johnson (Paperback)

About the Book

"In her poignant and intensely personal memoir, Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA icon Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, speaks for the first time about how her husband's 1991 HIV diagnosis sent her life and marriage into a frightening new direction"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

In her powerful and inspiring memoir, Cookie Johnson, wife of NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, shares details of her marriage, motherhood, faith, and how an HIV diagnosis twenty-five years ago changed the course of their lives forever.On November 7, 1991, basketball icon Earvin "Magic" Johnson stunned the world with the news that he was HIV-positive. For the millions who watched, his announcement became a pivotal moment not only for the nation, but for his family and wife. Twenty-five years later, Cookie Johnson shares her story and the emotional journey that started on that day--from life as a pregnant and joyous newlywed to one filled with the fear that her husband would die, that she and her baby would be infected with the virus, and that their family would be shunned. Believing in Magic is the story of Cookie's marriage to Earvin--nearly four decades of loving each other, losing their way, and eventually finding a path they never imagined. Never before has Cookie shared her full account of the reasons she stayed and her life with Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Believing in Magic is her very personal story of survival and triumph as a wife, mother, and faith-filled woman.

Review Quotes

"Believing in Magic is for real. A story about growing as an individual, a couple, and then as a family. Great adversity lead them to a challenging life, but being anchored by faith brought about the greatest love of all. Cookie and Magic have lived, loved, learned and now leave a great message for all. Have Faith."

About the Author

Cookie Johnson is a devoted philanthropist and, as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Magic Johnson Foundation, a passionate spokesperson whose focus is on addressing the health, social, and educational needs of underserved communities. She joins her husband, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, in the fight against HIV/AIDS by spreading the word on ways to help reduce new HIV infections in underserved communities, educating minority women about the disease, and providing helpful tools for prevention and testing. The Michigan State University graduate lives with her husband in California; she is the mother to their three children, André, Earvin Johnson III (EJ), and Elisa. She is the author of Believing in Magic.

Denene Millner is a New York Times bestselling author and frequent contributor to publications such as Essence, NPR, Redbook, and Glamour. In 2008, Millner founded MyBrownBaby, a critically acclaimed and award-winning blog that has worked with top brands, including Disney and Target. She also cohosts Georgia Public Broadcasting's A Seat at the Table, a talk show about black women; hosts the podcast Speakeasy with Denene, a celebration of the beauty of the African American experience; and makes appearances on the Today show, NPR, and more. Millner has authored thirty-one books, among them Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man, cowritten with Steve Harvey; Around the Way Girl, a memoir with actress Taraji P. Henson; The Vow, the novel on which the hit Lifetime movie With This Ring was based; and Fresh Princess: Style Rules, the second in a series inspired by Will Smith's iconic character. Millner is the editorial director of Denene Millner Books, a Simon & Schuster imprint that publishes books featuring African American children and families. In the imprint's debut year, Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut won Newbery and Caldecott Honors and the Kirkus Prize for Children's Literature. Millner lives in Atlanta with her two daughters and adorable Goldendoodle, Teddy.