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Will
The instant #1 New York Times bestseller!
“It's the best memoir I've ever read.” —Oprah Winfrey
“Will Smith isn't holding back in his bravely inspiring new memoir . . . An ultimately heartwarming read, Will provides a humane glimpse of the man behind the actor, producer and musician, as he bares all his insecurities and trauma.” —USA Today
Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Achievement
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.
“It's the best memoir I've ever read.” —Oprah Winfrey
“Will Smith isn't holding back in his bravely inspiring new memoir . . . An ultimately heartwarming read, Will provides a humane glimpse of the man behind the actor, producer and musician, as he bares all his insecurities and trauma.” —USA Today
Winner of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Achievement
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.
418 pages, Hardcover
First published November 9, 2021
About the author
Will Smith
7 books774 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Will Smith is an actor, producer and musician, two-time Academy Award nominee, Grammy Award and NAACP award winner who has enjoyed a diverse career encompassing films, television and multi-platinum records.
Starting as a rapper in 1985, Smith is best known for his acting roles in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, I AM LEGEND, the BAD BOYS and MEN IN BLACK film series, HITCH and most recently, ALADDIN. His vast filmography also includes transformative portrayals of true-life icons in ALI and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, both which garnered him Academy Award nominations, as well as his role in CONCUSSION. Smith recently produced and starred in 2020’s biggest box office hit, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, in addition to producing and appearing in HBO Max’s emotional and most watched, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” 30th Anniversary Reunion special.
Next up, Smith will produce and star as Richard Williams, infamous father of American icons Venus and Serena Williams, in Warner Brothers’ KING RICHARD, which will release on November 19th. This summer, Smith begins production on Apple’s upcoming scripted action thriller EMANCIPATION, directed by Antoine Fuqua, and produced by his Westbrook Studios.
In 2019, Smith launched his media company, Westbrook Inc. alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez and Kosaku Yada, which focuses on empowering artists to tell stories that connect with a global audience. Westbrook houses Westbrook Studios, Westbrook Media, the digital content studio, social media management, and creative brand incubator, and direct to consumer business, Good Goods. Westbrook Studios is home to the Emmy® nominated Facebook Watch series, "Red Table Talk" and is rapidly expanding its footprint in entertainment, serving as the studio home to all new premium TV and motion picture projects. Smith will serve as a producer through Westbrook on his upcoming projects including KING RICHARD, EMANCIPATION, and PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES. Westbrook Media most recently produced KING RICHARD and EMANCIPATION. Additionally, they produced the 30th anniversary reunion special of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and the Snap series “Will From Home.” In response to the stay-at-home order “Will From Home” featured appearances by Smith's family, celebrity friends and everyday people who were also isolating indoors. The media company also recently announced Peacock’s unprecedented two season order of “Bel-Air,” a dramatic reimagining of the Fresh Prince series. He and his wife also founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation to benefit inner-city community development, youth educational projects and under-privileged children and their families.
Will Smith is an actor, producer and musician, two-time Academy Award nominee, Grammy Award and NAACP award winner who has enjoyed a diverse career encompassing films, television and multi-platinum records.
Starting as a rapper in 1985, Smith is best known for his acting roles in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”, I AM LEGEND, the BAD BOYS and MEN IN BLACK film series, HITCH and most recently, ALADDIN. His vast filmography also includes transformative portrayals of true-life icons in ALI and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS, both which garnered him Academy Award nominations, as well as his role in CONCUSSION. Smith recently produced and starred in 2020’s biggest box office hit, BAD BOYS FOR LIFE, in addition to producing and appearing in HBO Max’s emotional and most watched, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” 30th Anniversary Reunion special.
Next up, Smith will produce and star as Richard Williams, infamous father of American icons Venus and Serena Williams, in Warner Brothers’ KING RICHARD, which will release on November 19th. This summer, Smith begins production on Apple’s upcoming scripted action thriller EMANCIPATION, directed by Antoine Fuqua, and produced by his Westbrook Studios.
In 2019, Smith launched his media company, Westbrook Inc. alongside Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez and Kosaku Yada, which focuses on empowering artists to tell stories that connect with a global audience. Westbrook houses Westbrook Studios, Westbrook Media, the digital content studio, social media management, and creative brand incubator, and direct to consumer business, Good Goods. Westbrook Studios is home to the Emmy® nominated Facebook Watch series, "Red Table Talk" and is rapidly expanding its footprint in entertainment, serving as the studio home to all new premium TV and motion picture projects. Smith will serve as a producer through Westbrook on his upcoming projects including KING RICHARD, EMANCIPATION, and PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES. Westbrook Media most recently produced KING RICHARD and EMANCIPATION. Additionally, they produced the 30th anniversary reunion special of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and the Snap series “Will From Home.” In response to the stay-at-home order “Will From Home” featured appearances by Smith's family, celebrity friends and everyday people who were also isolating indoors. The media company also recently announced Peacock’s unprecedented two season order of “Bel-Air,” a dramatic reimagining of the Fresh Prince series. He and his wife also founded the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation to benefit inner-city community development, youth educational projects and under-privileged children and their families.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 19, 2023
Milujem, keď svoju biografiu nahovorí ako audioknihu autor, ktorého prednes stojí za to sám o sebe. Táto sa u mňa preto prirodzene dostáva k McConaugheyovým Greenlights a Born a Crime Trevora Noaha. Od Willových začiatkov a lekcií od rodičov, cez žitie svojho amerického sna, prerod z hudobnej na filmovú superhviezdu, budovanie-rozpad-znovubudovanie rodiny, prekonávanie najšialenejších pracovných a “ego” cieľov až po precitnutie, že ani získanie všetkých majetkov a trofejí sveta nemusí urobiť človeka šťastným. “You can either worry how people feel, or win. But you need to pick one.”
March 26, 2022
Keď som už z viacerých miest počúval, že tá autobiografia je skvelá, nebolo o čom. Pridávam sa k pozitívnym recenziám, tá kniha je výborná!
Ja som teda naozaj nevedel, že predtým, než vôbec začal hrať vo filmoch, Will ejkej ej Fresh Prince bol stredoškolský raphead, ktorý to s DJom menom Jazzy Jeff dotiahli na rapový vrchol a vyhrali vôbec prvú Grammy pre rap umelcov v roku 1989 s pesničkou „Parents Just Don't Understand“.
A Will potom v 90tych rokoch prenikol do TV a seriál "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" postavený na jeho rapovom charaktere bol hitom a točil sa 6 sezón. Až potom prišiel prvý film, neskôr Bad Boys, jeho totálne preslávanie cez Independence Day až po totálne zrovnanie filmového aj hudobného sveta v podobe Men in Black v 1997.
Jaj a že keď mu ponúkli roku v Men in Black, tak najskôr odmietol. Ale potom mu zavolal Steven Spielberg, pozval ho k sebe a pre film ho nadchol.
Will je plný skvelých príbehov, veď tento človek to dal na top rapera v USA, na herca v TV, na top movie star. A NEZASPAL asi v novom tisícročí - prerazil na YouTube a aktuálne má šiesty najviac follovovaný účet na TikToku.
Píše o tom v knihe. Po rozpade jeho rapovej kariéri a potom tom, čo vďaka štastiu dostal šancu hrať v TV si povedal, že už nikdy nemôže zaspať na vavrínoch a vždy, keď bude končiť to, v čom je aktuálne úspešný, bude mať pripravené svoje pokračovanie.
Ja som teda naozaj nevedel, že predtým, než vôbec začal hrať vo filmoch, Will ejkej ej Fresh Prince bol stredoškolský raphead, ktorý to s DJom menom Jazzy Jeff dotiahli na rapový vrchol a vyhrali vôbec prvú Grammy pre rap umelcov v roku 1989 s pesničkou „Parents Just Don't Understand“.
A Will potom v 90tych rokoch prenikol do TV a seriál "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" postavený na jeho rapovom charaktere bol hitom a točil sa 6 sezón. Až potom prišiel prvý film, neskôr Bad Boys, jeho totálne preslávanie cez Independence Day až po totálne zrovnanie filmového aj hudobného sveta v podobe Men in Black v 1997.
Jaj a že keď mu ponúkli roku v Men in Black, tak najskôr odmietol. Ale potom mu zavolal Steven Spielberg, pozval ho k sebe a pre film ho nadchol.
Will je plný skvelých príbehov, veď tento človek to dal na top rapera v USA, na herca v TV, na top movie star. A NEZASPAL asi v novom tisícročí - prerazil na YouTube a aktuálne má šiesty najviac follovovaný účet na TikToku.
Píše o tom v knihe. Po rozpade jeho rapovej kariéri a potom tom, čo vďaka štastiu dostal šancu hrať v TV si povedal, že už nikdy nemôže zaspať na vavrínoch a vždy, keď bude končiť to, v čom je aktuálne úspešný, bude mať pripravené svoje pokračovanie.
December 5, 2022
Úprimne, životopisy sú pri mojom výbere kníh tesne nad cestopismi a teda je len veľmi malá, priam nepravdepodobná šanca (u cestopisov prakticky nulová), že po nejakom siahnem. Will je ale iný prípad. Totižto, som filmový nadšenec a videl som s ním približne 20 filmov (sedem z nich dokonca pozerám opakovane, ak je na to príležitosť). Postavy, ktoré na plátne stvárňuje, bývajú často pomerne emočne a psychicky rozhodené a čuduj sa svete, Will je taký aj v reálnom živote.
Kniha nie je len genézou jeho života od 10-tich rokov po 50-ty rok života, teda popisom jeho vzťahov, nahrávania albumov a natáčania filmov, ale je aj sondou do jeho myslenia, pretože dáva príležitosť nahliadnuť do toho, čo ho poháňalo, motivovalo, ale aj čo ho ubíjalo a spôsobov ako sa s tým vyrovnával. Občas bývalo to jeho filozovanie veľmi komplikované a jeho priority sa občas zdajú podivné, no tým, že sa nad vecami hĺbavo zamýšľa a prehodnocuje postoje, z neho robí zaujímavú osobnosť. Nie je asi lepšia príležitosť spoznať niekoho takého inak, ako jeho vlastnými slovami, no a každý si v tom nájde niečo to svoje, na čom sa zasmeje, alebo nad čím sa zamyslí.
Kniha nie je len genézou jeho života od 10-tich rokov po 50-ty rok života, teda popisom jeho vzťahov, nahrávania albumov a natáčania filmov, ale je aj sondou do jeho myslenia, pretože dáva príležitosť nahliadnuť do toho, čo ho poháňalo, motivovalo, ale aj čo ho ubíjalo a spôsobov ako sa s tým vyrovnával. Občas bývalo to jeho filozovanie veľmi komplikované a jeho priority sa občas zdajú podivné, no tým, že sa nad vecami hĺbavo zamýšľa a prehodnocuje postoje, z neho robí zaujímavú osobnosť. Nie je asi lepšia príležitosť spoznať niekoho takého inak, ako jeho vlastnými slovami, no a každý si v tom nájde niečo to svoje, na čom sa zasmeje, alebo nad čím sa zamyslí.
January 5, 2022
Will, prvá prečítaná kniha roku 2022 ☺️
Namotala ma Hanzelka, ktorú namotala Oprah a snáď sa namotáte aj vy! V prvom rade, ja autobiografie ani Willa moc nemusím, ale toto je fakt dobré. Okrem toho, že chlap vyrástol v Philadelphii, čo moja obľúbená destinácia, kde som nikdy nebola 😂 ale letenky tam v mánii kupujem jedna radosť, ale je to brilantný story teller. Naozaj. A vtipný a ja mám zoznam filmov, ktoré si chcem pozrieť. A v druhom rade, ten Will toho ale prežil, to je aj na tri knihy “The thing about money, sex and success is when you dont have them, you can justify your misery - shit, if I had money, sex and success Id feel great! However, misguided it may be, it psychologically permeates as hope. But once you are rich, famous and successfull and still insecure and unhappy - the terrifying thought begins to lurk: Maybe the problem is me.”
Namotala ma Hanzelka, ktorú namotala Oprah a snáď sa namotáte aj vy! V prvom rade, ja autobiografie ani Willa moc nemusím, ale toto je fakt dobré. Okrem toho, že chlap vyrástol v Philadelphii, čo moja obľúbená destinácia, kde som nikdy nebola 😂 ale letenky tam v mánii kupujem jedna radosť, ale je to brilantný story teller. Naozaj. A vtipný a ja mám zoznam filmov, ktoré si chcem pozrieť. A v druhom rade, ten Will toho ale prežil, to je aj na tri knihy “The thing about money, sex and success is when you dont have them, you can justify your misery - shit, if I had money, sex and success Id feel great! However, misguided it may be, it psychologically permeates as hope. But once you are rich, famous and successfull and still insecure and unhappy - the terrifying thought begins to lurk: Maybe the problem is me.”
December 12, 2023
Will je jedna z lepších autobiografií, ktoré som v poslednej dobe čítala. Nehodnotím jeho život a postoje. Ale kniha je napísaná naozaj veľmi čtivo, na čom ma určite veľkú zásluhu co-autor Mark Manson. Pri čítaní som narazila na mnoho zaujímavých myšlienok.
Príbeh hneď v úvode knihy o tom, ako Will s bratom niečo vyše roka stavali otcovi do obchodu nový múr, si budem pamätať asi naozaj dlho. Myšlienka „Nesústreď sa na ten múr, ale na položenie ďalšej tehly,” vo mne veľmi zarezonovala.
Na autobiografiách mi často vadí, že celebrity majú výsostnú potrebu ísť do prílišnych detailov a alibizovať si svoje životné rozhodnutia. U Willa mi to až tak nevadilo. Aj keď išiel do detailov, nepopisoval každú jednu životnú epizódu. A zároveň mal odvahu byť úprimný a poukázať na svoju (minimálne pre mňa) dosť nesympatickú povahu a silné ego.
Príbeh hneď v úvode knihy o tom, ako Will s bratom niečo vyše roka stavali otcovi do obchodu nový múr, si budem pamätať asi naozaj dlho. Myšlienka „Nesústreď sa na ten múr, ale na položenie ďalšej tehly,” vo mne veľmi zarezonovala.
Na autobiografiách mi často vadí, že celebrity majú výsostnú potrebu ísť do prílišnych detailov a alibizovať si svoje životné rozhodnutia. U Willa mi to až tak nevadilo. Aj keď išiel do detailov, nepopisoval každú jednu životnú epizódu. A zároveň mal odvahu byť úprimný a poukázať na svoju (minimálne pre mňa) dosť nesympatickú povahu a silné ego.
January 30, 2022
Dynamické, vtipné, hoci miestami príbehu chýbala hĺbka.
Knihu som počúvala v audio verzii a bolo to dobré rozhodnutie – je totiž obohatená o útržky skladieb a hudobný podmaz. Do rozprávania svojho životného príbehu sa Will vrhol s plným nasadením – čo asi pridalo celkovému zážitku jednu hviezdičku. Priznávam, že:
1. neviem posúdiť ako by na mňa kniha pôsobila, bez Willovho hlasu a performance.
2. miestami mi jeho ego liezlo parádne na nervy.
+ Najviac si ma získali pasáže kde opisoval príhody s velikánmi svojho života, akými bola jeho Gigi, JL, Quincy Jones, Michael Mann či Nelson Mandela.
- Spôsob, akým sa miestami správa k svojej rodine je otázny a vonia narcizmom.
Knihu som počúvala v audio verzii a bolo to dobré rozhodnutie – je totiž obohatená o útržky skladieb a hudobný podmaz. Do rozprávania svojho životného príbehu sa Will vrhol s plným nasadením – čo asi pridalo celkovému zážitku jednu hviezdičku. Priznávam, že:
1. neviem posúdiť ako by na mňa kniha pôsobila, bez Willovho hlasu a performance.
2. miestami mi jeho ego liezlo parádne na nervy.
+ Najviac si ma získali pasáže kde opisoval príhody s velikánmi svojho života, akými bola jeho Gigi, JL, Quincy Jones, Michael Mann či Nelson Mandela.
- Spôsob, akým sa miestami správa k svojej rodine je otázny a vonia narcizmom.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
Skvelý Will Smith - počúvala som to ako audioknihu, čiže všetka jeho audio charizma na mňa zafungovala 🤩 Plakala som, smiala som sa, bola som prekvapená aj ohúrená jeho zážitkami a skúsenosťami a veľa nového som sa dozvedela. Plus - great hiphop always in my ❤️
February 13, 2022
Will Smith je asi moja prvá biografia ever. A je fantasticky napísaná, ľahko sa číta aj v angličtine. Veľmi inšpiratívny príbeh. Willova biografia je dôkaz toho, že nikto z nás nemá na ružiach ustlané a je len na našej odvahe, ako veľmi sa odvážime snívať, aké veľké sny to budú a ako si ich splníme.
October 18, 2022
Asi mám naozaj rád biografie. Bolo to smiešne aj vážne, napäté i uvoľnené.
May 26, 2024
Príbeh bol skvelý, nehovoril len o svojej umeleckej kariére ale venoval sa životu, myšlienkam,zásadám a vzťahmi
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews