96 books
—
41 voters
Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story” as Want to Read:
Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story
by
One of the most anticipated autobiographies of this generation, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Total Recall is the candid story by one of the world’s most remarkable actors, businessmen, and world leaders.
Born in the small city of Thal, Austria, in 1947, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Los Angeles at the age of twenty-one. Within ten years, he was a millionaire businessman. After ...more
Born in the small city of Thal, Austria, in 1947, Arnold Schwarzenegger moved to Los Angeles at the age of twenty-one. Within ten years, he was a millionaire businessman. After ...more
Get A Copy
Hardcover, 656 pages
Published
October 1st 2012
by Simon Schuster
(first published 2012)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story

This book dispels one myth right away - the impression most people carry that Arnold, with all his muscle and Terminator films, is all brawn and no brains. What becomes apparent very soon is that this is someone who had huge ambition, tremendous tenacity and a calculating business mind. So no, he's not stupid, people.
He's also not just lucky. His life didn't happen by accident - it was an outcome of years of hard work and chasing down carefully-set goals. If you want to be charitable, you'd call ...more
He's also not just lucky. His life didn't happen by accident - it was an outcome of years of hard work and chasing down carefully-set goals. If you want to be charitable, you'd call ...more

Best biography I've ever read. The story of Arnold Schwarzenegger is absolutely incredible. His mindset, the passion and hunger for success is something I haven't encountered in any other book. It's very difficult to sum up this book to a few points and I won't even try to, I would say if you aren't reading books, if you haven't got the habit yet start with this one. The value of the book is 1000x more than what you pay for, and I consider myself lucky to live in the same time as this man. Reall
...more

One of my all-time heroes. Arnold is sometimes viewed negatively by people who don't know his whole story, but he turns even that into an asset: "I never argued with people who underestimated me. If the accent and the muscles and the movies made people think I was stupid, it worked to my advantage". How can anybody underestimate somebody who, among many many accomplishments, was a world-class athlete who trained 6 days per week twice a day, became a millionaire in business *before* he was a movi
...more

Schwarzenegger is an individual who has fascinated me for almost as long as I can remember. As a kid, American movies were the ultimate in escapism – they represented the utter dominance of American culture in the 90s, a super saturated, colourful version of life. Everything was bigger than it was growing up in the UK: the scale, the action, even the men. Schwarzenegger was the epitome of this – the ultimate action star, bedecked with larger-than-life dialogue and even larger muscles. But away f
...more

Briefly, is this book any good?
Well the first half is a quite candid and interesting story of his childhood, rise to fame and career. Obviously it's PR censored, but I think some parts of real personality slip through. The second half is a more guarded defence of every political decision he made while governor of California. Unless you're into politics it is very dull. The only interesting aspect is how he relates his right-wing politics to his personal experience of capitalism providing the opp ...more
Well the first half is a quite candid and interesting story of his childhood, rise to fame and career. Obviously it's PR censored, but I think some parts of real personality slip through. The second half is a more guarded defence of every political decision he made while governor of California. Unless you're into politics it is very dull. The only interesting aspect is how he relates his right-wing politics to his personal experience of capitalism providing the opp ...more

The title of the book is really fitting. I assume that everybody knows something about Arnold Schwarzenegger, obviously known for his films. But I think that only some of you know that in his young age he was a very successful bodybuilder, he was Mr Olympia, Mr Universe or something like that several times. Eventually, he became a governor of California. The book also tells more about him as a real estate investor and the interesting fact is that first became a millionaire by all of his real est
...more

I enjoyed this book much much more than I thought I would. The mark of a good autobiography is if biographer lives up the hype, a great autobiography makes the read a bigger fan than when they begun. This is how I felt after reading this book. I admit Arnold was a distant 3rd action hero for in the 80s, behind Stallone and Van Damn. However even though I enjoyed their movies more than Arnold's, neither they nor many people have excelled outside the movie industry the way Arnold has. If you have
...more

There is nothing special about his writing. He describes whatever he’s done in his life chronologically. Some more than the others. And of course, for public consumption and the media, the whole thing has been sanitized. But here’s what I believe he’s good at: ‘selling’. As he mentions in the book, you’re always selling something. And so, he’s selling and promoting himself, his work, his whatever; shamelessly, constantly, relentlessly. No shyness. No timidity.
Some say he’s arrogant; maybe so, bu ...more
Some say he’s arrogant; maybe so, bu ...more

Here's my review of "Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story" by Arnold Schwarzenegger. I listened to the audiobook, all 25 hours worth, while driving from Florida to New York. Schwarzenegger reads only the first chapter, the rest by Stephen Lang. I found the book compelling reading (listening), especially how a poor Austrian had such drive to achieve remarkable success as the world's #1 bodybuilder, top box office draw, and governor of California. I enjoy books that introduce me to a whol
...more

Arnold's life is a lot more than Hollywood's rags-to-riches story. The riches were there by the time he became an iconic actor, with a last name possibly too unpronouncable for posters, largely built upon the determination which sustained his bodybuilding carrer - calves first. He certainly tells in greater detail and passion about his youth & Mr. Olympia days than about his movie résumé, which dwindles down to basic title-hopping.
His term as governor of California raises more questions than an ...more
His term as governor of California raises more questions than an ...more

The worst part about this book was that it had to end. As I was nearing the end of the book, I had a physical reaction of anxiety that the story would end. Part of this feeling certainly is tied to Arnold age and the understanding that one day, he too will be terminated.....and this made me sad.
I grew up on Arnold's films like many other people. I didn't follow his bodybuilding career much, but I was an avid follower of his film and political career. I was hesitant to even read this book that mi ...more
I grew up on Arnold's films like many other people. I didn't follow his bodybuilding career much, but I was an avid follower of his film and political career. I was hesitant to even read this book that mi ...more

Total Recall is the story of this famous personality born in a village in Austria who eventually grew up to become the Governor of California in USA; who along this journey also became one of the most prominent bodybuilders, evolved into an action hero in Hollywood who delivered multiple box office hits and married one from the Kennedy clan. This is the story of Arnold Schwarzenegger as told by him in his autobiography Total Recall. One of the most prominent personalities in Hollywood, Schwarzen
...more

It sounds like Arnie was born in a Bela Tarr movie. He did live only 55 miles from the Austro-Hungarian border in a rural farm village called Thal in Southern Austria. No wonder he had ambitions to get to big, brash, bold America. We know how that worked out for him. He did OK. I took a look at Thal on Google Earth. I am guessing things have changed a lot since the 1940s and 50s. Now it appears to be full of big houses, swimming pools and neatly tended lawns.
I did find the book extremely interes ...more
I did find the book extremely interes ...more

Inspiring read about Arnold's "rags to riches" tale, from living in poverty in Austria to living the "American Dream"!
Liked it so much that I actually used it as a source in my book, Thrive: 30 Inspirational Rags-to-Riches Stories. ...more
Liked it so much that I actually used it as a source in my book, Thrive: 30 Inspirational Rags-to-Riches Stories. ...more

I thought Arnold's childhood was very interesting; then he grew into an arrogant creep and I quit the audio book. Strange, Steve Jobs was arrogant, but I found his biography very interesting. Must have been the creep part that got me.
...more

Warning: If you are deciding to read this book hoping to get something salacious or to hear about the illegitimate son scandal you will be very very disappointed.
While the affair with his housekeeper is mentioned not much time is given to the subject. He covers his life chronologically but does not mention the affair when it would have taken place, only briefly discussing it when it was discovered by the media which is practically at the end of the book.
I listened to this book on audio and was d ...more
While the affair with his housekeeper is mentioned not much time is given to the subject. He covers his life chronologically but does not mention the affair when it would have taken place, only briefly discussing it when it was discovered by the media which is practically at the end of the book.
I listened to this book on audio and was d ...more

I gave this book 5 stars because it is only the second biography/autobiography I have read all the way through. I didn't expect to like it but I downloaded the sample and just couldn't stop reading. I did, however, get it from the library instead of buying. But my husband wants to read it now as well so I am going to buy a copy. I found the book really inspiring. No matter what you may think about Arnold, he is an incredibly driven person and a very hard worker. I was inspired by his stories to
...more

Amazing story, amazingly written, amazing life!
I'm not a big fan of Arnold. Well I wasn't :) But after reading this book I need to see every his movie :)) He is real hero. From nothing to BIG sucess.
It's a huge book. From his childhood to bodybulding, to America Dreaming to Gouverner of California!
I really enjoy reading this book, it's worthy... a lot! Many pictures included.
Read it :) ...more
I'm not a big fan of Arnold. Well I wasn't :) But after reading this book I need to see every his movie :)) He is real hero. From nothing to BIG sucess.
It's a huge book. From his childhood to bodybulding, to America Dreaming to Gouverner of California!
I really enjoy reading this book, it's worthy... a lot! Many pictures included.
Read it :) ...more

One star more for me being fan of Arnold's 80s and early 90s movies. Writing tends to be a bit of dry, Austrian accent and a personal voice is there, but just. Problem being, Arnold didn't write this alone and it shows. I liked an early chapters and for a big movie nerd the meat of the book was 'making of movies' parts. As a foreigner, all the Governator chapters were struggle and i have read a lot of books about politics. It's just hard to find a fascination about intricacies of a ballot voting
...more

Nov 01, 2012
M Pereira
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
funny,
politics,
biography,
autobiography,
films,
celebrity,
celebrity-culture,
austria,
austrians,
schwarzenegger
I am a big fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Maybe you will think I'm a bit lowbrow for saying that. Maybe admitting that is tantamount to undermining any commitment I have to feminism, or maybe I need something a bit lightweight to read outside of Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire.
Arnold starts his story addressing the harsh conditions of post-war Austria. I thought it was interesting how he mentions how his father's generation felt like a bunch of 'losers' having lost the war and having their s ...more
Arnold starts his story addressing the harsh conditions of post-war Austria. I thought it was interesting how he mentions how his father's generation felt like a bunch of 'losers' having lost the war and having their s ...more

Apr 13, 2013
John
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography-memoir,
film-television
TOTAL RECALL is a fascinating, incredibly-detailed account of the Governator's life from birth up until his recent split with Maria Shriver. It thoroughly eradicates the notion that Schwarzenegger got where he is today solely on the basis of sheer brawn and dumb luck. Beneath the muscles and the goofy accent is a shrewd businessman with a flair for salesmanship and an irrepressible drive for success. Personally, I'm not much into either body building or California politics, but Schwarzenegger's
...more

This was a pretty enjoyable read for me, but then it goes without saying that I'm a fan of Schwarzenegger as a movie star. In fact, he's one of my favourite actors; certainly one of the funniest and most entertaining, even if his acting skills pale compared to heavyweights of the craft.
TOTAL RECALL is Schwarzenegger's autobiography, written around a series of lengthy chats a writer had with the star. Weighing in at an impressive 620 pages, this is thorough stuff indeed that takes us from Arnie's ...more
TOTAL RECALL is Schwarzenegger's autobiography, written around a series of lengthy chats a writer had with the star. Weighing in at an impressive 620 pages, this is thorough stuff indeed that takes us from Arnie's ...more

Excellent reading for any Arnie fan. He really is a very inspiring character at times. He obviously comes very humble beginnings but he is always in possession of fierce ambition and a desperate willingness to work. His rise through the ranks in body building shows him almost single handedly bringing the sport from one that engages few but the participants to one attracting worldwide attention, fans and celebrities. The chapters covering his ascent in Hollywood are equally entertaining. The book
...more

I was surprised at how much there was to take away from this.
This was a pretty enjoyable read for me, it covers the entirety of Arnold's career from humble origins in Austria and his rags-to-riches rise in America through bodybuilding, acting and eventually politics.
This was rather in-depth and somewhat motivational memoir. ...more
This was a pretty enjoyable read for me, it covers the entirety of Arnold's career from humble origins in Austria and his rags-to-riches rise in America through bodybuilding, acting and eventually politics.
This was rather in-depth and somewhat motivational memoir. ...more

When I was a teenager, the two things that rocked my world were martial arts and bodybuilding. Where most of my friends had cars or girls or musicians on their walls, I had posters of Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, Jean Claude Van Damme and the bodybuilders I admired: Lou Ferrigno, Kevin Levrone, and of course Arnold Schwarzenegger. This led my mother to suspect I was gay – apparently not uncommon, since Schwarzenegger’s mother thought the same thing when he pinned up pictures of his idols such as Reg
...more

Feb 27, 2020
Martijn Reintjes
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
biography,
audio-books
I always kinda thought of him as being this dumb muscle guy, but wow, he accomplished a lot through hard work and being smart about it.
It's inspiring how he keeps reinventing himself: first as a body builder, then a movie star, then a real estate investor and then governor of California.
Learning about early youth I found most interesting, hearing the stories about growing up in a post WW2 Austria.
“There are no shortcuts—everything is reps, reps, reps.”
― Arnold Schwarzenegger, Total Recall: My Un ...more
It's inspiring how he keeps reinventing himself: first as a body builder, then a movie star, then a real estate investor and then governor of California.
Learning about early youth I found most interesting, hearing the stories about growing up in a post WW2 Austria.
“There are no shortcuts—everything is reps, reps, reps.”
― Arnold Schwarzenegger, Total Recall: My Un ...more

I enjoyed this - and could almost be persuaded to increase the rating. Which was a surprise - why? Well, it's quite engaging, despite the obvious PR steer that this should be a manual of how to achieve the American dream!
And to be fair, he certainly has - a fascinating life. From growing up in Austria, national service through becoming the world body building champion, building up a fitness empire, then becoming the leading action film star and then - in the piece that does justify the strap li ...more
And to be fair, he certainly has - a fascinating life. From growing up in Austria, national service through becoming the world body building champion, building up a fitness empire, then becoming the leading action film star and then - in the piece that does justify the strap li ...more

Recommended for: people seeking life lessons or escapism that is offered through reading memoirs of accomplished individuals.
Explanations for scoring: The Governator has a congenially flawed personality, a good sense of humor and has led a rich and interesting life that made for enjoyable reading. The writing was satisfactory, as memoirs are usually conversational in tone. It was the content that I really appreciated. His struggles and triumphs as a self-made man are inspiring, as are his appro ...more
Explanations for scoring: The Governator has a congenially flawed personality, a good sense of humor and has led a rich and interesting life that made for enjoyable reading. The writing was satisfactory, as memoirs are usually conversational in tone. It was the content that I really appreciated. His struggles and triumphs as a self-made man are inspiring, as are his appro ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Goodreads Librari...: Combine editiones | 3 | 11 | Aug 03, 2017 05:28AM |
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American bodybuilder, actor, businessman and politician, and served as the 38th Governor of the state of California.
Arnold gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. Schwarzenegger was nicknamed "The Austrian Oak" and "The Styrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnold Strong" and "Arnie" during his acting career, and more recently "The Govern ...more
Arnold gained worldwide fame as a Hollywood action film icon. Schwarzenegger was nicknamed "The Austrian Oak" and "The Styrian Oak" in his bodybuilding days, "Arnold Strong" and "Arnie" during his acting career, and more recently "The Govern ...more
Related Articles
“I'm in a weird place because the book is about to come out. So I'm basically just walking around like a raw nerve and I'm not sure that I...
42 likes · 9 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“What is the point of being on this Earth if you are going to be like everyone else?”
—
87 likes
“There are no shortcuts—everything is reps, reps, reps.”
—
51 likes
More quotes…