Had to skim long chapters about California policy fights and politics.

If you are a fan of bodybuilding, enjoyed "Pumping Iron" or any of Arnold's movies or are curious as to how an immigrant from a small town in Austria can make it to America and achieve world-class status as a bodybuilder, actor, and politician - you must read this book!

It is massive, at over 600 pages. The first 400 pages flew by, focusing on his bodybuilding prowess, entrepreneurial skill, and acting career. Then, as the book ventured into his marriage (to Maria Shriver) and his political race (winning Governorship and re-election) my interest started to wane as it plunged into the depths of policy and marital issues that I wasn't as interested in.

That said, I still give the book four stars. I have always liked Arnold, not just for his multi-dimensional successes (did you know he was a millionaire businessman before he hit it big as an actor?) but due to the realness of his flawed persona (that eventually resulted in the dissolution of his marriage). He never struck me as someone who tried to pretend he was perfect. He is less Terminator and more human, which makes his story fascinating to read.

Very detailed autobiography. I liked it, but it did get old reading about his life. I ended up not finishing it - but reluctantly so.

I loved the behind the scene's look at making movies and how he has achieved his goals. But, it just got to be too much - I wanted to go make my own story !

You ever just put a book down with only 150+ pages left? while this has so many interesting parts to it namely the bodybuilding and movie era, this book gets to the political-governor sequence, and it is so boring! I will still mark this book as read as I have read a substantial amount.

I was struck by the sincerity. There was no wrapping around the bush. Both achievements and failures are shown, which is unique

An amazing book by an amazing man

I though this book was quite fascinating. I appreciated how it viewed life. I am not sure I agree with the idea that life should focus mainly on success, but I thought his story was interesting. I also felt like I appreciated that at times he was honest about his failings. I do feel like he was unapologetic in the way he lived his life. I wonder what was left out and it did feel like it was from a certain point of view/perspective.

My childhood hero is impressive but at the same time grounded in this simplistic tale of an Immigrant creating the American Dream a reality.