The Odeon Online Book Review : Total Recall - My Unbelievably True Life Story by Arnold Schwarzenegger

I was given this 624 page tome for Christmas and finished reading it some months ago, but thought I would share my views on Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest autobiographical memoirs of his life, love, loss, leadership and longing to become rich and famous.

If you are a product of the 80's as I am, growing up on a movie diet consisting (amongst other genres) of blockbuster action heroes - Stallone, Willis and Schwarzenegger, you may have developed a certain fondness for 'The Austrian Oak' as I did. Reading his story of growing up in just post war Austria, born in 1947 in the small town of Thal, he started pumping his body in his early teens to build and shape his physique which he saw as his ultimate ticket to America. Such was his determination, which has never wavered since and remains strong to this day, that by the time he reached 21 he had relocated to America and had already been crowned Mr. Universe - a title he would subsequently win many times over.

From there his determination took him to successive world body building titles all the while with his sights set firmly on the movie business. He studied English, took elocution lessons, attended University and made some very savvy business decisions in the real estate game which gave him the money he needed to invest more in himself, his growing network of key movers and shakers in both the movie and political scene, and his growing business empire.

His film break came in 1969 in 'Hercules in New York' (credited as Arnold Strong), but it was 1976's 'Stay Hungry' that really brought him to attention and garnered him a Golden Globe win. From there his movie career is the stuff of folklore and legend and a meteoric rise to fame and fortune. During this time he married into the Kennedy political clan and his marriage to Maria Shriver laid the foundation for his election as the 'Governator' of California in 2003 for which he would serve two terms and oversee the seventh largest economy in the world whilst battling huge budget crisis, political upheaval, natural disasters right on his doorstep, significant environmental issues, and the ultimate break up of his beloved marriage and family as a result of a secret love child hidden from the world for over ten years.

All of this and more is outlined in clear transparent words and pictures as Arnold bears his soul in what might be seen as a cleansing and a fresh start. In many ways it is, for after serving in office for eight years he has since resurrected his movie career with four films already released and another five due for imminent release or in production.

Whether you are a fan of Arnold the acclaimed body builder, Arnold the movie icon, Arnold the political statesman, Arnold the astute business man, Arnold the best selling author or Arnold the family man, this is a solid engaging read and it might make you think a little differently about this determined self made man who has reached so many pinnacles in his career and his life that there really can't be much more to aim for. . . although I'm sure he'll think of something!

'Total Recall - My Unbelievably True Life Story' by Arnold Schwarzenegger has been on the shelves for about 18 months now, and is the telling of a larger than life almost rags to riches success story of a big man with big dreams, a big ego and a big personality, that might just one day make it up on to the big screen itself!

Enjoy the read!

-Steve, at Odeon Online-