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Biography & Autobiography. Performing Arts. Self-Improvement. Nonfiction. HTML:One of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had. Will Smith�??s transformation from a West Philadelphia kid to one of the biggest rap stars of his era, and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history, is an epic tale�??but it�??s only half the story. Will Smith thought, with good reason, that he had won at life: not only was his own success unparalleled, his whole family was at the pinnacle of the entertainment world. Only they didn't see it that way: they felt more like star performers in his circus, a seven-days-a-week job they hadn't signed up for. It turned out Will Smith's education wasn't nearly over. This memoir is the product of a profound journey of self-knowledge, a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind. Written with the help of Mark Manson, author of the multi-million-copy bestseller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Will is the story of how one person mastered his own emotions, written in a way that can help everyone else do the same. Few of us will know the pressure of performing on the world's biggest stages for the highest of stakes, but we can all understand that the fuel that works for one stage of our journey might have to be changed if we want to make it all the way home. The combination of genuine wisdom of universal value and a life story that is preposterously entertaining, even astonishing, puts Will the book, like its author, in a category by itself. *This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of music cred… (more)
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Will
Despite his multiple years of record-breaking achievements, there is one thing Will has never been able to achieve...the perfect work-life balance. Having been taught his whole life that the only road to happiness was to be successful and rich, this thought has affected all of his relationships as he tends to put work above everything else.
Will Smith narrating this book was perfection. Hearing the emotion when he discussed his grandmother, who he called Gigi, and their close bond to how he discussed the dark side of his thoughts while helping his dying father one night. Another benefit of listening to Will is the chance to hear him rap. Will performs a few small songs here and there along with a great track at the end of the book which made the listen worth it.
Sixteen hours is a long time for a book about a celebrity and not a political figure, but it was worth the listen. Although I enjoyed the book, I do have to say that I wasn't thrilled with learning how self-centered Will Smith is. He has a lot to be proud of, but his ego is unattractive and makes me wonder how he and Jada have been married so long. I appreciate the honesty that Will showed in this book, and I don't think there was much he held back when telling his story.