Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Wasn't in the mood. May try again another time.
Sometimes, just seeing a familiar face on a book cover can be comforting. I picked this up initially because of Arnold’s recognizable face, and after skimming a few pages, I thought I might gain something from his life experiences.
Arnold writes the way he speaks, making this one of the rare books where I could clearly hear the author’s voice as I read. I laughed out loud a few times and let some of his blunt, no-nonsense wisdom really sink in. It’s easy to view him as just an icon and forget the man behind the legend—the road he’s traveled and the lessons he’s learned. This book gave me the chance to see him in a different light, and it was a real treat to spend time with him in this way.
Growing up, I experienced Arnold through his films—some of my favorite childhood memories. My dad enjoyed his movies, and reading this book brought back fond memories of video stores and movie theaters.
The ending really brought everything home, but I’ll leave that out of this review in case you decide to read it yourself. I will say that I picked up on the Stoic undertones in Arnold’s worldview and advice, and the final short chapter lands in a particularly poignant and personal way.
I’d recommend this book to anyone struggling to find their pace or place in the world.
Arnold writes the way he speaks, making this one of the rare books where I could clearly hear the author’s voice as I read. I laughed out loud a few times and let some of his blunt, no-nonsense wisdom really sink in. It’s easy to view him as just an icon and forget the man behind the legend—the road he’s traveled and the lessons he’s learned. This book gave me the chance to see him in a different light, and it was a real treat to spend time with him in this way.
Growing up, I experienced Arnold through his films—some of my favorite childhood memories. My dad enjoyed his movies, and reading this book brought back fond memories of video stores and movie theaters.
The ending really brought everything home, but I’ll leave that out of this review in case you decide to read it yourself. I will say that I picked up on the Stoic undertones in Arnold’s worldview and advice, and the final short chapter lands in a particularly poignant and personal way.
I’d recommend this book to anyone struggling to find their pace or place in the world.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Okay, so I am not into celebrity books. I am especially not into self-help celebrity books.
If Arnold was just a world-champion bodybuilder from a small town in Austria who immigrated to USA, I wouldn’t read this book. It’s hardwork and luck, right? If he was just a world-champion bodybuilder and a famous hollywood star, I still wouldn’t read this book. Whatever, he had good connections. But when he is all of those things + twice elected governor of California, then okay. Maybe he knows something that I don’t know.
And there are a lot of really good things in this book. I personally found his tips on selling your ideas and vision very helpful, since I struggle with that a lot. He also doesn’t really mention networking directly, but mentions it through being a good listener, always helping, and giving and taking feedback constantly. His talk on how he never considers himself a self-made man is also very inspiring.
There are a lot of good things on how to achieve your goals as well. Not all of them are unique, but none of them felt like a fairy-tale shooting-star wishing, which was nice.
He almost always gives examples for his advice from all three parts of his career, which is also helpful to vary the applicability of the advice.
My problems with the book are that it kind of doesn’t really know when to end and goes on a bit too much, and that he glosses over some of his shortcomings, especially as a governor. I also don’t agree on some of the advice, like how getting rest is for retired /old people and you should always be improving yourself all the time. That seems like a very toxic, capitalist way of thinking about your “value”.
But overall, it’s a nice advice book from an icon from my childhood, so it’s easy to like it. It’s helpful to reinforce some of the common ideas about self-improvement, and also offers some new ones and unique perspectives.
If Arnold was just a world-champion bodybuilder from a small town in Austria who immigrated to USA, I wouldn’t read this book. It’s hardwork and luck, right? If he was just a world-champion bodybuilder and a famous hollywood star, I still wouldn’t read this book. Whatever, he had good connections. But when he is all of those things + twice elected governor of California, then okay. Maybe he knows something that I don’t know.
And there are a lot of really good things in this book. I personally found his tips on selling your ideas and vision very helpful, since I struggle with that a lot. He also doesn’t really mention networking directly, but mentions it through being a good listener, always helping, and giving and taking feedback constantly. His talk on how he never considers himself a self-made man is also very inspiring.
There are a lot of good things on how to achieve your goals as well. Not all of them are unique, but none of them felt like a fairy-tale shooting-star wishing, which was nice.
He almost always gives examples for his advice from all three parts of his career, which is also helpful to vary the applicability of the advice.
My problems with the book are that it kind of doesn’t really know when to end and goes on a bit too much, and that he glosses over some of his shortcomings, especially as a governor. I also don’t agree on some of the advice, like how getting rest is for retired /old people and you should always be improving yourself all the time. That seems like a very toxic, capitalist way of thinking about your “value”.
But overall, it’s a nice advice book from an icon from my childhood, so it’s easy to like it. It’s helpful to reinforce some of the common ideas about self-improvement, and also offers some new ones and unique perspectives.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I enjoyed a deeper view into his personal life and achievements and that his suggestions start with where you are at now.
I’m shocked how much I loved this book. A friend recommended it and I thought I’d listen to 20 minutes on the way to work and then return it, but I was hooked. He had such an interesting life and his dedication to knowledge and growth and helping people was really beautiful to hear about. He also had a lot of funny insights along the way.I really recommend this book
This book offers a refreshing take on self-help, standing out by blending practical advice with personal anecdotes. Initially, it may seem like another standard self-improvement book, but it soon reveals depth as the author shares valuable life lessons in a relatable and vulnerable manner.
The book encourages readers to stay curious, maintain a positive outlook, and embrace failure as a learning tool. It emphasizes the importance of listening and helping others, highlighting that success is often a collective effort. With its straightforward approach and engaging narrative, this book provides a compelling guide to personal growth and resilience.
The book encourages readers to stay curious, maintain a positive outlook, and embrace failure as a learning tool. It emphasizes the importance of listening and helping others, highlighting that success is often a collective effort. With its straightforward approach and engaging narrative, this book provides a compelling guide to personal growth and resilience.
