Will

I was in 2 minds if I should give this a 3-star or a 5-star rating on this book. My mind started to wonder about it as I got to the halfway stage of the book. I kept thinking to myself that this bloke is on a huge ego trip.

Yep, there are some excellent nuggets in live lessons and you can tell he really poured his heart and soul into this book. Yes, he does boast about all of his successes but it seems to me that he has worked very hard to get to where he is in his life.

In the end, I came to the realisation that Will Smith simply is no longer bothered about all the money, the fame and all the #1 movies he has achieved but that life is simply the pursuit of happiness that we all need to be searching for in our own lives. For me being wealthy is simply that.

Excellent book and well worth a read.

4.5/5 - This was a very good book. I've had this book since it first came out and never took the time to read it. Will can do no wrong in my eyes! The “slap” heard around the world makes so much sense after reading this book. Will is pretty much a talented, insecure, people-pleaser who cannot be alone. In simple words: he's human. I'm glad he's done the work with therapy to figure that out. I took off a half point because I feel like he left out A LOT when it comes to his relationship/marriage to Jada, but at the same time, it's his business to decide what he is willing to share. Now I need to read from her POV.

I really enjoyed reading the book and the insights he gave into his life. He is reflective and open.

I have mixed feelings about this one. I found the honesty, introspection and growth spoken about refreshing and revealing. But it can't be helped that Smith's outbreak at the Oscar's this year tars this image. How honest was it really? What growth has been shown? Maybe that's unfair, but it was in the back of my mind whilst reading.

Having said that, I enjoyed this book. Well written with wit and insight, although not humility. Or maybe it was trying to be humble, but fell short.

I'd recommend to anyone interested in Smith, memoirs, or Hollywood.

I like to hear a person's story. I like them better when they feel true and honest. We all see life from our own personal perspective and I don't believe anybody would publish all their dark secrets. 

What I like about Will's story is that it isn't just a memoir or a behind-the-scenes exposé. The stories he tells build his journey and inform his growth as a person. The message of finding that fame and fortune, not even the purest person who loves you can be the source of your self acceptance and happiness is true and hits the mark for me. It's remembering this truth that is the continual struggle. 

book about a dude that slapped that other dude

I enjoyed the book, although I was disappointed by how large of an ego came across through the book. I also got tired of all the swearing when he kept bragging about how he didn't swear in his music.

Might put this closer to 3.5 stars.

Even though I'm a fan of Will Smith, I was not expecting this audiobook it to be good, because celebrity memoirs often aren't. But I enjoy them for the same reason I like reading/listening to memoirs by anyone with a different background than me; they have a vastly different lived experience.

I can certainly say that of Will Smith, who repeatedly refers to himself as the “undisputed greatest movie star of all time,” and will then go on to list TV and musical accolades. Now, this would seem egotistical - and for sure, it is - but it's essential to his personality (i.e., relentless drive to be the best), character arc (actually becoming the best, though that's subjective), and eventually to his self-actualization (or, at least, his continued journey towards it). He tells the story of having it all - unbridled success, a “perfect” nuclear family, hundreds of millions of dollars - and how none of that's the answer. He had rocky relationships. He lost sight of what matters. He suffered. And slowly, he comes around to realize that all the things he strove for his entire career have nothing to do with happiness.

Okay, sure. It's a cliched message. But it's a good story, and Will Smith is a good story-teller. Also, the production value of this audiobook is bar none. The musical interlay is excellent. It's.a fun listen; in fact, this is one of few times that I would unequivocally recommend the audiobook over the print book.

Not the sort of book that I would normally read as although I am attracted to autobiographies I am just as repelled by celebrity. And although his ego is occasionally off-putting I am left with the sense that Will Smith is a talented and hard working guy who has created a life that together with the crafting of the story makes for an entertaining read.

Took my own sweet time with the book.
A memoir of hard work and love.
Although there were some parts where it felt like he was oversharing. But entertaining nonetheless.

Will Smith's exciting memoir touches your heart and Mark Manson's pen and editorial skills blow your mind. This is a long a** book with too many nitty gritty details of Will Smith both professional and personal life. I like the way that Will changes the gear and moves on to the next stage of his life just about you getting bored. Will walk the audience through on his colorful journey he had. He shares his experience on being a rap star, TV star and Movie star. This book is not just about success, but also failure and mistakes Will made in his life both professionally and personally. I love the way he comes forward, admits his mistakes and apologizes profusely in his book for events that happened up to decades ago. Will also share his insights on what he would do in hindsight.

This book is above and beyond a simple biography. It consists of real nice life experiences that could give you another set of eyes. What could make or break a family or career and more. Will's insight and perspective is priceless and his life and career path metamorphosis is attest to that. I strongly recommend the audiobook narrated by Will Smith. It is an entirely different beast. His performance is great, he mimics everyone's voice and there are a bunch of related songs and music that make the book pretty entertaining.

Interesting memoir with a bunch of good stories.

This memoir kept me entertained throughout the book. I can see where people can get the idea that it is ego driven, but isn't that the point of a memoir? I found his stories entertaining and yes, Jada was right, it wasn't funny.

If you decide you want this one, please get the audiobook. It is simply the definitive way to experience this incredible memoir of Will Smith. His journey from the beginning to now is a fascinating one. All the emotional highs lows are laid bare. It's equal parts insightful and funny. I have always believed African American voices to be one of the most powerful and impactful and this one is narrated by WIll himself.

Besides this key point the other advantage the audiobook brings is that it sprinkled throughout with music and songs that were such a big part of his life. As an added bonus, Will Smith does the most awesome impressions of other people that are part of the book

This was the fastest I have ever listened to any audiobook, (let alone one of this length) but then Will Smith and he is narrating his book so...

Vulnerable, inspiring, captivating, and a must read. This book uncovered aspects of Will as well as life. It is a must read.

The BEST memoir I have ever read! This MUST be listened to on audio, he not only narrates it himself but sings, does voices, plays music, etc. Adding it to my favorites shelf.

Un récit de vie captivant.
Merci à Will de nous avoir partagé ces leçons de vie !

Le livre sait se montrer intelligent, amusant et rempli d'émotions.

J'ai beaucoup aimé la partie de l'enfance ou o' découvre les moments les plus déterminants de qui sera Will Smith plus tard.

Les passages sur l'âge adulte et les différentes situations de couple qu'il a vécues sont très intéressantes.

This was surprisingly good. I honestly don't know much about Will Smith and wasn't planning to pick up an audiobook copy, but I recently got recommended Will's “Best Shape of My Life” series on YouTube in which he includes excerpts of his new book... and I was hooked.

From his audiobook, you can really tell how good of a storyteller he is. I loved all the different voices he did in it and all the music he included. Prior to listening to this audiobook, I only knew of Will Smith as a famous actor (heck, I had no idea he was a rapper, let alone the first person to ever win a Grammy for Rap), but I now have a newfound appreciation for how hard working and talented he is. It's inspiring to see a black man accomplish so many groundbreaking accolades!

The only thing I wanted to call out was the ending — I thought it was a little cheesy. I think I would have preferred it with less of the “life lessons” so that the audience can interpret his story however they want.

This was surprisingly good. I honestly don't know much about Will Smith and wasn't planning to pick up an audiobook copy, but I recently got recommended Will's “Best Shape of My Life” series on YouTube in which he includes excerpts of his new book... and I was hooked.

From his audiobook, you can really tell how good of a storyteller he is. I loved all the different voices he did in it and all the music he included. Prior to listening to this audiobook, I only knew of Will Smith as a famous actor (heck, I had no idea he was a rapper, let alone the first person to ever win a Grammy for Rap), but I now have a newfound appreciation for how hard working and talented he is. It's inspiring to see a black man accomplish so many groundbreaking accolades!

The only thing I wanted to call out was the ending — I thought it was a little cheesy. I think I would have preferred it with less of the “life lessons” so that the audience can interpret his story however they want.

Good entertainer, as always. I found it was rather too light in the beginning, like Paulo Coelho's Alchemist being his first book and him being so overwhelmed by it..
It got better. To a point where he shares some quite deep reflections and discoveries towards the end.
As with other good biographies, it doesn't lack authenticity or good humour.

The book is incredible and definitely, an audio must. For me this is instantly one of my favorite books of all times. I laughed and cried as I related to some aspects of his life. It's educational, entertaining, and inspiring.