Total Recall

My Unbelievably True Life Story

De: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Narrado por: Stephen Lang, Arnold Schwarzenegger

In his signature larger-than-life style, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s memoir is a revealing self-portrait of his illustrious, controversial, and truly unique life.

The greatest immigrant success story of our time. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s story is unique—and uniquely entertaining—and he tells it brilliantly in these pages.

He was born in a year of famine in a small Austrian town, the son of an austere police chief. He dreamed of moving to America to become a bodybuilding champion and a movie star. By the age of twenty-one, he was living in Los Angeles and had been crowned Mr. Universe. Within five years, he had learned English and become the greatest bodybuilder in the world. Within ten years, he had earned his college degree and was a millionaire from his business enterprises in real estate, landscaping, and bodybuilding. He was also the winner of a Golden Globe Award for his debut as a dramatic actor in Stay Hungry. Within twenty years, he was the world’s biggest movie star, the husband of Maria Shriver, and an emerging Republican leader who was part of the Kennedy family. Thirty-six years after coming to America, the man once known by fellow body­builders as the Austrian Oak was elected governor of California.

Now, with raw honesty and insight, he tells the story of his life in his own voice. Here is Arnold, with total recall.

Outstanding

I loved everything about this book , I used to watch his workout videos when I used to workout and I’m back in the mood .
He achieved and overcame a lot which is why this book is a must read/listen.

great read

i really enjoyed the book. Such great detail all though his life. it's too bad Arnold only reads a small portion of this book , but i was never disinterested throughout the entire book. you never want to hate on his for being successful.

Loved it.

So much hunger and thrive to succeed, motivating as hell to take accountability and ownership over your life

So THAT is why Arnold is a success.

Would you listen to Total Recall again? Why?

Yes, probably, but not for a while since it was pretty long. Arnold's story is really fascinating. This is definitely a guy who worked very very very hard to be a success. Planning every step of the way and striving to meet every goal he set for himself. You would never walk away from this story and think, "What a lazy ungrateful guy." The forsight and drive he had from the time he was 14 is just amazing. Did you know he made millions on real estate before he ever became an actor? I also thought it really showed a great balance of his conservative and liberal views. He himself describes himself as a series of contradictions-- an environmentalist who drives a hummer, a fitness freak who smokes cigars-- and it was really refreshing hearing somebody who was open to a multitiude of ideas, even if they contradict his own. It also made clear what Maria Shriver saw in him. He tells his life story with such enthusiasm and humor, you are never left thinking "yeah yeah, shut up" or "I've heard it all before."

What did you like best about this story?

His humor and reasoning behind each of his views. It makes sense that he's a republican when you hear this story. How could he not be?

Which character – as performed by Stephen Lang and Arnold Schwarzenegger – was your favorite?

It's about Arnold, so of course he's my favorite character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The death of his family members was sad. Also, this is a great immigrant story, which is always moving.

Any additional comments?

Some slightly annoying things are that Arnold only reads the first and last chapter. I found the main narrator's voice to be fine, but the switch from Arnold to this other guy was distracting (which is why I gave performance just 4 stars). Also, this book doesn't explain why he cheats on Maria or anything like that. He definitely brushes past the personal/emotional bits dealing with that, although throughout his book he talks about how detached he is from emotions and how he has had to learn how to connect with that part of himself throughout his life. Really interesting.

One of the best autobiographies I have read

Very inspiring and amazing story. From a boy in Austria to a successful person in any chosen area, that takes will, perseverance, right mindset and state. Very inspiring, much better than most of motivational books out there - it is real life success story