I had a 12 hour drive to Florida ahead of me and I wanted to listen to a good book. I couldn’t decide but as soon as I brought up Audible, Matthew McConaughey's book, “Greenlights' ', was listed at the top of the biographies. I’ve read a number of good biographies, and I like Matthew McConaughey, primarily since he appeared in the movie Contact with Jodie Foster. "Contact" by Carl Sagan is one of my favorite books. His portrayal of the mysterious man of God, in that movie, was so good it launched his career. Apart from his good looks, he really sold the “Man of the Cloth'' to the audience. And maybe that’s because, after reading his book, in his real life McConaughey is a man of great spirituality. That said, you will not find his religion in any orthodox church. He is entirely unorthodox having created his spirituality in the church of life and penned his own belief system based upon the green light of a traffic signal. It’s all about how we avoid the reds and yellows and take the greens. This is what he based his premise for Greenlights…not disrupting the flow, but allowing what comes at you to continue. Compare that to the philosophy of “The Art of Racing in the Rain”, by Garth Stein, a book of tragic circumstance--that you must see in advance, that what manifests before you-- so as not to lose your grip on the road of life. The analogy to driving is there in both cases but in McConaughey's life, which is unlike most common people, after a few good turns and basket full of optimism, he was set up to avoid the red lights all together and thus blow though any yellows if it became necessary. Not that that’s a bad thing, it's just very uncommon. Most of us get traffic tickets.
Despite a well crafted read (or listen) I was disappointed that it appears McConaughey has never read “The Great Gatsby”. Whereas Gatsby’s “Green Light” is a little different, to not mention the most famous green light in literary history, in a book called Greenlights, is a tremendous faux pas. Despite his talents he does not appear to be well read. Had he known, he would have included it...or least explained why it doesn’t apply to his life. I blame the publisher. From my perspective, McConaughey deeply believes in the Green Light. “The orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter. Tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.” Come on!! This is exactly the optimism of McConaughey’s “Greenlights”. Maybe it was a fear of copyright infringement, however it literally entered the public domain on 1 January, 2021. Perhaps they didn’t want to wait. But the absence of reference is critical to me.
Not to detract from McConaughey’s intellect. I was surprised that he is indeed a keen observer of life. He has enormous self awareness and introspection. So much introspection that he has been compelled to trek the world in search of the source for inspiration he finds in his dreams. Again, the common person does not have the means to go on these extended journeys of discovery on multiple continents. What’s amazing to me is he kept a journal and a scrap book for most of his life. He's traveled to Europe, Australia, Africa, South America, almost on a whim. He kept many journals as a deep record of his thoughts, feelings, and the inner workings of his soul. Anyone who reads it will be better for it. It makes me wish I had kept a journal. And because I’ve always been fond of bumper stickers he had me early with his call out to the importance of these early memes. We all have bumper stickers for our own lives...he just remembered to keep them...or write them down.
The other thing I really like about McConaughey, apart from definitely being a man of letters, is that he is a poet. Perhaps his profession has trained him to be this man of words. Or perhaps, his ability to use words, has aided him in his profession. And he has grown in the role so fully that he is now a master. So can there be any doubt that he’s written his own book? What’s doubly appealing, that, as an actor, he narrates his audio-book. I can tell you, the time I spent listening to his story while driving to Florida, in his words, through his voice and characterizations, was as entertaining as any of his movies. However you do miss his scrapbook of pictures in the audiobook version. Had I had it to do over, I would listen and read the book in front of me. Alas. it is doubtful I will give Greenlights a second read. In today’s world, reading one book, and making it through, is a high complement with so many classics to read and reread. Alas I will not reread, but perhaps use as a reference and I certainly recommend it.
I’m a fan of McConaughey, this book is for his fans, and will no doubt win some new ones. I will continue to be a fan and recommend this book to those who would like to see, feel, (and hear in the case of an audio-book) a man’s life that has been well considered and well lived. And he’s only 50. I’m going to start with 4-stars for Matthew. Deduct 1-star for missing the criticality of Gatsby’s Green Light, and then add 1-star back for his narration of the audio-book. Well done Matthew!
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GreenlightsMatthew McConaughy5 Diamond Review💎💎💎💎💎Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughy is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read and listened to. I ordered it first on Audible. I enjoyed the book so much, I ordered a hard copy as well. The actor narrated Greenlights himself and hands down he has spoiled me for every other book I will ever listen to. His flow while he narrates his book is flawless. It’s as if he just called me on the phone and decided to tell me his stories. He narrates his book with such ease of voice you feel like you are just listening to a friend talk. This book, his manner of reading it to us and his over all story is amazing. This did not feel like a memoir but like a motivational book. It does not sound like he’s reading anything. He does a great job keeping the book fluid and you can easily follow the timeline he has laid out. I listened to it twice before I moved on to the next audiobook. It will be a book I will listen to again. He really just seems like a very down to earth and ‘normal’ person. I feel fame has not gone to his head. He is honest and brutal and captivating all at the same time. I have listened to it twice.Let’s talk about the actual content of this book. Matthew McConaughy has lived an adventurous life. He has had the means to do things that he wants to do financially as an adult and fortitude as a child and I am fascinated with his choices. He doesn’t sugar coat his words. From describing his parent’s tumultuous relationship and in the end accepting it as the only way they knew how to love to recounting memories of going to Australia or Africa. His stories are funny, sad, nail biters and anything in-between.I am enthralled with his great story telling ability. I am also impressed with his life. I believe that he is a ‘down to earth’ type man who accepts all people for who they are and what they can personally offer of themselves under whatever circumstance. He seems to always be open to learning something new. He does not seem to have the attitude that he knows ‘it’ all already. He seems to be the type of person who makes a commitment and he keeps it at all costs. He lives his life on his own terms and I absolutely appreciate that.He includes pictures and side notes with his tales and it really is fun to look at the pictures of him throughout his life. He takes the red lights and turns them green in his life. He is a progressive thinker and I admire that. Even if something seems to not be going right, he waits for the situation to produce something positive.Matthew McConaughy is true to himself and who he is as a person. He does not come across as arrogant or cocky. He tells his stories with gusto and with every lesson in life that he grew up with. He has chosen adventures that teach him something. He has followed his life journey with a passion. He isn’t stuck in a inflexible mind frame. As we read we can understand his thought process and some of what really makes him tick as a human being. He allows himself to adapt as he grows as a person. He is not rigid or regimented. He throws himself into his work when he works 200% and he allows himself to relax when he needs to.He draws on his past, present and future while he weaves his narrative. I am equally impressed with the people he surrounds himself with. Including his wife. He picked right. He describes her in a way that makes me believe that she is just as down to earth as he is. She was not impressed with his name and fame. She made him work for their relationship. I love the fact that even though he is a successful actor, he acts like a ‘normal’ person in situations he is faced with. He traveled around the country in an airstream, taking up residence in rv parks and campgrounds, and making friends with people all along the way. He doesn’t seem to think he is special just because he is an actor. However he knows he is special for just being human and he values other people in the same way.Of course, this is all my opinion from reading and listening to this book – he could be full of it. But I don’t think so. Although if he is, it’s okay – he really sells it and makes it believable and entertaining.Again, I give the book, both hard bound and audio, five diamonds. I recommend it for everyone.
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 6, 2021
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Greenlights
Matthew McConaughy
5 Diamond Review
💎💎💎💎💎
Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughy is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read and listened to. I ordered it first on Audible. I enjoyed the book so much, I ordered a hard copy as well. The actor narrated Greenlights himself and hands down he has spoiled me for every other book I will ever listen to. His flow while he narrates his book is flawless. It’s as if he just called me on the phone and decided to tell me his stories. He narrates his book with such ease of voice you feel like you are just listening to a friend talk. This book, his manner of reading it to us and his over all story is amazing. This did not feel like a memoir but like a motivational book. It does not sound like he’s reading anything. He does a great job keeping the book fluid and you can easily follow the timeline he has laid out. I listened to it twice before I moved on to the next audiobook. It will be a book I will listen to again.
He really just seems like a very down to earth and ‘normal’ person. I feel fame has not gone to his head. He is honest and brutal and captivating all at the same time. I have listened to it twice.
Let’s talk about the actual content of this book. Matthew McConaughy has lived an adventurous life. He has had the means to do things that he wants to do financially as an adult and fortitude as a child and I am fascinated with his choices. He doesn’t sugar coat his words. From describing his parent’s tumultuous relationship and in the end accepting it as the only way they knew how to love to recounting memories of going to Australia or Africa. His stories are funny, sad, nail biters and anything in-between.
I am enthralled with his great story telling ability. I am also impressed with his life. I believe that he is a ‘down to earth’ type man who accepts all people for who they are and what they can personally offer of themselves under whatever circumstance. He seems to always be open to learning something new. He does not seem to have the attitude that he knows ‘it’ all already. He seems to be the type of person who makes a commitment and he keeps it at all costs. He lives his life on his own terms and I absolutely appreciate that.
He includes pictures and side notes with his tales and it really is fun to look at the pictures of him throughout his life. He takes the red lights and turns them green in his life. He is a progressive thinker and I admire that. Even if something seems to not be going right, he waits for the situation to produce something positive.
Matthew McConaughy is true to himself and who he is as a person. He does not come across as arrogant or cocky. He tells his stories with gusto and with every lesson in life that he grew up with. He has chosen adventures that teach him something. He has followed his life journey with a passion. He isn’t stuck in a inflexible mind frame. As we read we can understand his thought process and some of what really makes him tick as a human being. He allows himself to adapt as he grows as a person. He is not rigid or regimented. He throws himself into his work when he works 200% and he allows himself to relax when he needs to.
He draws on his past, present and future while he weaves his narrative. I am equally impressed with the people he surrounds himself with. Including his wife. He picked right. He describes her in a way that makes me believe that she is just as down to earth as he is. She was not impressed with his name and fame. She made him work for their relationship. I love the fact that even though he is a successful actor, he acts like a ‘normal’ person in situations he is faced with. He traveled around the country in an airstream, taking up residence in rv parks and campgrounds, and making friends with people all along the way. He doesn’t seem to think he is special just because he is an actor. However he knows he is special for just being human and he values other people in the same way.
Of course, this is all my opinion from reading and listening to this book – he could be full of it. But I don’t think so. Although if he is, it’s okay – he really sells it and makes it believable and entertaining.
Again, I give the book, both hard bound and audio, five diamonds. I recommend it for everyone.
Matthew McConaughy
5 Diamond Review
💎💎💎💎💎
Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughy is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read and listened to. I ordered it first on Audible. I enjoyed the book so much, I ordered a hard copy as well. The actor narrated Greenlights himself and hands down he has spoiled me for every other book I will ever listen to. His flow while he narrates his book is flawless. It’s as if he just called me on the phone and decided to tell me his stories. He narrates his book with such ease of voice you feel like you are just listening to a friend talk. This book, his manner of reading it to us and his over all story is amazing. This did not feel like a memoir but like a motivational book. It does not sound like he’s reading anything. He does a great job keeping the book fluid and you can easily follow the timeline he has laid out. I listened to it twice before I moved on to the next audiobook. It will be a book I will listen to again.
He really just seems like a very down to earth and ‘normal’ person. I feel fame has not gone to his head. He is honest and brutal and captivating all at the same time. I have listened to it twice.
Let’s talk about the actual content of this book. Matthew McConaughy has lived an adventurous life. He has had the means to do things that he wants to do financially as an adult and fortitude as a child and I am fascinated with his choices. He doesn’t sugar coat his words. From describing his parent’s tumultuous relationship and in the end accepting it as the only way they knew how to love to recounting memories of going to Australia or Africa. His stories are funny, sad, nail biters and anything in-between.
I am enthralled with his great story telling ability. I am also impressed with his life. I believe that he is a ‘down to earth’ type man who accepts all people for who they are and what they can personally offer of themselves under whatever circumstance. He seems to always be open to learning something new. He does not seem to have the attitude that he knows ‘it’ all already. He seems to be the type of person who makes a commitment and he keeps it at all costs. He lives his life on his own terms and I absolutely appreciate that.
He includes pictures and side notes with his tales and it really is fun to look at the pictures of him throughout his life. He takes the red lights and turns them green in his life. He is a progressive thinker and I admire that. Even if something seems to not be going right, he waits for the situation to produce something positive.
Matthew McConaughy is true to himself and who he is as a person. He does not come across as arrogant or cocky. He tells his stories with gusto and with every lesson in life that he grew up with. He has chosen adventures that teach him something. He has followed his life journey with a passion. He isn’t stuck in a inflexible mind frame. As we read we can understand his thought process and some of what really makes him tick as a human being. He allows himself to adapt as he grows as a person. He is not rigid or regimented. He throws himself into his work when he works 200% and he allows himself to relax when he needs to.
He draws on his past, present and future while he weaves his narrative. I am equally impressed with the people he surrounds himself with. Including his wife. He picked right. He describes her in a way that makes me believe that she is just as down to earth as he is. She was not impressed with his name and fame. She made him work for their relationship. I love the fact that even though he is a successful actor, he acts like a ‘normal’ person in situations he is faced with. He traveled around the country in an airstream, taking up residence in rv parks and campgrounds, and making friends with people all along the way. He doesn’t seem to think he is special just because he is an actor. However he knows he is special for just being human and he values other people in the same way.
Of course, this is all my opinion from reading and listening to this book – he could be full of it. But I don’t think so. Although if he is, it’s okay – he really sells it and makes it believable and entertaining.
Again, I give the book, both hard bound and audio, five diamonds. I recommend it for everyone.
Images in this review
Top reviews from other countries
DC
Beyond Disappointing!!!!!!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 22, 2020
E. Capurro
To thyself be true
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 24, 2020mikey2363
Matthew McConaughey (Mc-Con-A-Hey)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 14, 2020Sam Whelan
Easily put down and dismissed.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 15, 2020
Sonja H
BEYOND HORRIBLE. Save your time and money.
Reviewed in Canada 🇨🇦 on January 13, 2021
