The Governator
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Product Description
Product Description
From his childhood in Austria to his rise as a star of American conservative politics, the story of Arnold Schwarzenegger's life reads like the script of a Hollywood B movie penned by Horatio Alger. In this chatty and engaging biography, scoop hunter Ian Halperin sifts through the myths and rumors to discover the real Arnold behind the icon, a man defined by unbridled ambition and an unending quest for power. Based on intensive research and candid interviews with many who know the man best, Halperin paints a candid, true-life portrait of this remarkable man. Going undercover in Austria, he takes a soul-searching journey through Schwarzenegger's past to explore his relationship with his abusive father and his feelings toward the Nazi Party. Halperin also infiltrates the exclusive world of bodybuilding and Schwarzenegger's early steroid use. He also addresses Arnold's reputation as a womaniser, including his alleged affairs and public accusations of sexual harassment, behaviour that earned the star the nickname 'the Groper'. Here, too, is an in-depth look at his marriage and family - including his wife, Maria Shriver's extremely secret and very serious illness - and his uncertain future. Halperin offers a serious analysis of Schwarzenegger's political career, revealing him to be an extraordinarily effective governor whose accomplishments, especially in environmental initiatives, have been overshadowed by a devastating fiscal crisis that threatens to tarnish his legacy. And he probes the depth of Schwarzenegger's commitment to the Republic brand vis-a-vis his attachment to the most famous Democratic family in America, the Kennedys. Filled with judicious research and a wealth of shocking headline-making revelations, "The Governator" is sure to be this bestselling investigative journalist's biggest hit yet.
About the Author
Ian Halperin is the author of ten books, including the New York Times bestsellers Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson and Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain. Specializing in undercover investigations, he has contributed to 60 Minutes II, the CBC's Fifth Estate, the Daily Mail, Court TV, and E!. Halperin is also an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and a former co-winner of Rolling Stone magazine's College Journalism Award. He has given talks about Hollywood and the music industry as a keynote speaker at many colleges and universities. His blog, ianundercover.com, is one of the world's leading websites about pop culture.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I bought this for my kindle and really enjoyed it. I recently watched Pumping Iron for the first time and wanted to know more about Arnie. This is an enlightening read and gives you a lot of respect for how much the man has achieved from what are very humble beginnings.
Format:Kindle Edition
This book really delves into the dark side of Arnie's personality and what he will do at all costs to win. A great read and definitely a must for anyone who has the slightest interest in Arnold.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
9 reviews
13 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Nothing new
16 Oct 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
There's no doubt that Arnold Schwarzenegger is a great subject to write about. His life has been rather charmed. At the same time, he's worked far and away harder than most people to get what he wanted. He's planned each step in his road to success.
It's therefore unfortunate the author gave us a mere rehash of what we've already read. While he went to Arnold's home town and traveled extensively, interviewed friend and foe, he came up with little that is new. We still see the same brilliant yet boorish, charismatic yet unlikable character that's in all biographies about the man.
Schwarzenegger is neither vilified nor made into a saint in the book. It's a fair look into his life. The problem is that there's nothing especially new.
We read about the subjects womanizing, his ambition, his inclination to be a self-promoter. But these are all things we've read so many times before. We get a glimpse into his personal life --- but only a glimpse.
The author uses information directly out of other books rather than come up with fresh, first-hand information. An extensive search on the Internet would produce pretty much the same thing.
Having paid twice what the book is selling for in the Amazon Marketplace currently, I'm frankly disappointed.
While I find the writing good and the logical progression compelling, the lack of new information makes this an especially unneeded biography.
-- Susanna K. Hutcheson
It's therefore unfortunate the author gave us a mere rehash of what we've already read. While he went to Arnold's home town and traveled extensively, interviewed friend and foe, he came up with little that is new. We still see the same brilliant yet boorish, charismatic yet unlikable character that's in all biographies about the man.
Schwarzenegger is neither vilified nor made into a saint in the book. It's a fair look into his life. The problem is that there's nothing especially new.
We read about the subjects womanizing, his ambition, his inclination to be a self-promoter. But these are all things we've read so many times before. We get a glimpse into his personal life --- but only a glimpse.
The author uses information directly out of other books rather than come up with fresh, first-hand information. An extensive search on the Internet would produce pretty much the same thing.
Having paid twice what the book is selling for in the Amazon Marketplace currently, I'm frankly disappointed.
While I find the writing good and the logical progression compelling, the lack of new information makes this an especially unneeded biography.
-- Susanna K. Hutcheson
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
He always comes back
31 Oct 2010
Format:Hardcover
Ian Halperin writes about the seemingly charmed life of Arnold Schwarzenegger. He does a good job on explaining Arnold's motives and drives - if ever there was a self made man this is it. However Ian says he had to go undercover to get some answers from both Arnold and his wife Maria's acquaintances, because they would incur the Schwarzenegger's wrath otherwise. After looking at some pictures of him in `disguise'- sunglasses while training with Lou Ferrigno, one can't wonder if the author was really being `put on' that the interviewees didn't suspect him. He also 'goes undercover' and poses as a body building promoter. Other reports are from neighbors or people who say certain events happened in Arnold's life, and of course the reports of inappropriate behavior are covered in detail and much depth throughout the years. Tales of backstabbing and how Arnold taunts others and his insensitive streak are reported in many instances.
There is just a lot of negativity, so it is surprising that some of the last words in the book is how he would vote for Arnold for president, if the Constitution could be changed. There is some jumping back and forth in the time line and then what he considers his ultimate undercover job - posing as a Republican?
A history of body building is given and there are some pictures, however none of Arnold's younger years. Much of the history and style of the Kennedys is gone into and how they have pulled strings in different instances to help Arnold. Of course then there is the strange statement from Halperin that Teddy's Chapaquiddick instance happened on the night of the Apollo moon landing; when the moon landing was 2 days later. One wonders what other facts might have been mixed up?
This is another example of a gossipy book and if that is what you want to read then this is for you.
There is just a lot of negativity, so it is surprising that some of the last words in the book is how he would vote for Arnold for president, if the Constitution could be changed. There is some jumping back and forth in the time line and then what he considers his ultimate undercover job - posing as a Republican?
A history of body building is given and there are some pictures, however none of Arnold's younger years. Much of the history and style of the Kennedys is gone into and how they have pulled strings in different instances to help Arnold. Of course then there is the strange statement from Halperin that Teddy's Chapaquiddick instance happened on the night of the Apollo moon landing; when the moon landing was 2 days later. One wonders what other facts might have been mixed up?
This is another example of a gossipy book and if that is what you want to read then this is for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Compilation
31 Mar 2011
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a compilation of previews bios of Arnold, so if you read previews ones no need to bother on this one.
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