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Greenlights Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 69,491 ratings
4.2 on Goodreads
350,917 ratings

Number-one New York Times Best Seller Discover the life-changing memoir that has inspired millions of readers through the Academy Award-winning actor’s unflinching honesty, unconventional wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by The Guardian

“McConaughey’s book invites us to grapple with the lessons of his life as he did - and to see that the point was never to win, but to understand.” (Mark Manson, author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)

I’ve been in this life for 50 years, been trying to work out its riddle for 42, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last 35. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.

Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greenlights.”

So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops.

Hopefully, it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears.

It’s a love letter. To life.

It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green, too.

Good luck.

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Product details

Listening Length 6 hours and 42 minutes
Author Matthew McConaughey
Narrator Matthew McConaughey
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date October 20, 2020
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B08HLW2JXD
Best Sellers Rank #65 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1 in Biographies of Celebrities & Entertainment Professionals
#7 in Biographies (Books)
#7 in Personal Development

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
69,491 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the tone humorous and honorable, with reflections that are gems of truth. They also describe the content as real, honest, poignant, and inspiring. Readers praise the writing style as thoughtful, brilliant, and laid-back. They appreciate the actors as unapologetically themselves and incredibly authentic. Customers also find the personal growth insightful, hopeful, and genuinely useful. They describe the book as a good read with great lessons and memories.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

1,299 customers mention "Readability"1,235 positive64 negative

Customers find the book captivating, entertaining, and different. They also say it's one of the best autobiographies they've read and listened to. Readers also appreciate the bumper stickers throughout the book.

"...Greenlights, written by Matthew McConaughy is one of the best autobiographies I have ever read and listened to. I ordered it first on Audible...." Read more

"Mathew McConaughey is one of my all time favorite actors! This book was so good! 10 out of 10 would recommend!!!..." Read more

"...man you would like to read about, Greenlights will be an enjoyable and inspirational read...." Read more

"Witty and gritty, good read" Read more

544 customers mention "Personal growth"508 positive36 negative

Customers find the book insightful, giving them hope for future successes. They also appreciate the author's beliefs, courage, and honesty. Readers describe the book as an incredible journey that helps inspire. They say it's wise, entertaining, and genuinely useful.

"...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...." Read more

"...His stories and outlook on life is just amazing and listening to him tell them makes it even better...." Read more

"...highs and lowest lows his life story made me feel so inspired and full of hope. His adventures are superb, the way he writes is excellent!..." Read more

"This book is truly life changing. I’m a huge nonfiction reader and a big McConaughey fan so this seemed like a win win. Turns out it was...." Read more

212 customers mention "Tone"212 positive0 negative

Customers find the tone of the book humorous and likable. They also appreciate the cool poetry, good quotes, and reflections that are gems of truth. Readers also say the people in the book make it come alive.

"Witty and gritty, good read" Read more

"...There is a lot of humor in the various stories told in this short book like the one year he spent as an exchange student in Australia...." Read more

"Laugh and great life advice to think about." Read more

"...He used different accents for many of the people in the book and made it come alive. It was heartwarming and hilarious. Highly recommend it!" Read more

109 customers mention "Writing style"98 positive11 negative

Customers find the writing style thoughtful, brilliant, humble, and lighthearted. They also appreciate the layout, photos, and art. Readers describe the memoir as personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and laid-back. They say the book is soothing to listen to and touching.

"...He opens up to the reader in way that feels so personal. It’s a great book to reread or go back to for quotes and inspiration." Read more

"...stories and life lessons shared in this memoir are personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with Divine Love...." Read more

"This was such a great book. I love how it made me feel, I love hearing his experiences, I love the way his viewpoint and mindset is, I just love..." Read more

"...This shipped fast and was in great shape." Read more

102 customers mention "Actors"102 positive0 negative

Customers find Matthew McConaughey unapologetically himself, extremely talented in acting, poetry writing, and insightful. They also say his choice of movie roles is interesting and he's a gifted actor. Readers describe the memoir as a mix of biography, self-help, inspiration, comedy, and love. They mention that the story is personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and distinctive.

"...The stories and life lessons shared in this memoir are personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with Divine Love...." Read more

"Author is a good actor, but as a writer, he has a rather long way to go. Photos in book are small and hard to see with extremely poor quality...." Read more

"...His choice of movie roles is interesting and he’s a gifted actor. This memoir is definitely different and has some good advice...." Read more

"...Pretty wild upbringing. And I like his acting. But there is a rawness that crosses the line...." Read more

74 customers mention "Content"74 positive0 negative

Customers find the book real, honest, and raw. They appreciate the sincerity, purity, and naturalness. Readers also say the book is original, serious, grounded, and radiates energy.

"Rarely I engage so strong with biographies. But Mathew has a very authentic and interesting way to tell his story...." Read more

"...while John Mellencamp strums his guitar through the speakers—familiar, real, and raw...." Read more

"...I took SO many notes, and it was so much fun and so real, with so many adventures and so many Truths!..." Read more

"...He's very grounded and far more spiritual and optimistic than I realized...." Read more

30 customers mention "Pacing"25 positive5 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book fast, easy to read, and great. They also say the book is moving and inspiring.

"...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...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed this read; it was fast-moving, humble and tells a story of a man who slowly and eventually found himself...." Read more

"...It is not my typical read but it flowed like water and was enjoyable authentic and a book that I didn’t want to put down. Highly recommend" Read more

"...It picked up very fast and is very humorous along with being very insightful. Matthew tells of his story and it is so fascinating!..." Read more

44 customers mention "Storyline"7 positive37 negative

Customers find the storyline repetitive, boring, and unfinished. They also mention that the book is not a typical memoir, and that the philosophy is repetitive.

"...Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it is not your typical autobiography." Read more

"...It's anecdoted wayyyy too much with lots of clincher sentences (sigh) Think he's a fine guy with many fine points - I just didn't find it cohesive..." Read more

"I know it’s a memoir, but I found the book too self-absorbed and overbearing even for one...." Read more

"...This recording has too much swearing and the life lessons almost seem sophomoric, especially with the delivery. Very hollywood-centric..." Read more

Five diamond review - Greenlight...
5 out of 5 stars
Five diamond review - Greenlight...
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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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
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.
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Five diamond review - Greenlight...
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
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.
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177 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2024
Rarely I engage so strong with biographies. But Mathew has a very authentic and interesting way to tell his story. He accomplishes exactly what he meant. He is not preaching or giving you life lessons and yet you learn. Easy to read. I finished it in two days.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2024
Couldn't put the book down it feels like me Matt hung out for a couple days and with his messages help me tackle some thoughts I had in my mind about my own life. Dope read 💪🏾
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020
Greenlights is a remarkable first book from an already renowned artist. Kind of a mashup of Anthony Bourdain with Ernest Hemingway, McConaughey tells stories with the aplomb of accomplished raconteur. Part memoir, part life guide and part ethic Greenlights is worth reading for many beyond McConaughey’s fan base; basically anyone who likes a good man’s man adventure story.

Born into the lower middle class in East Texas, McConaughey looks back nostalgically at a childhood few would envy. His parents divorced and remarried each other twice, he was subject to corporal punishment and money was always an issue. Yet he doesn’t complain about disadvantage. In fact he honors his parents despite their shortcomings. He adheres to a philosophy of choosing to recalibrate what seems like the inevitable until it turns into a green light or way forward in life.

After a rite of passage involving brawling with a barroom bouncer, McConaughey pursued acting with the drive and hard work ethic that was instilled into him. Finding early success, he choose to live in a way directly opposite to the Hollywood scene. Traveling the country with his dog, going off on expeditions to the middle of Africa and South America, McConaughey sees livin (drop the g to indicate it’s always a verb) as more than just the material success and creature comforts many of us settle on.

Finally, after years of womanizing, McConaughey settled into a successful monogamous relationship and fulfilled his life long ambition of being a father. Nearly simultaneously he chose to walk away from lucrative rom-coms to focus on something more artistic. Initially successful in winning an Oscar for the Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey admits that he hasn’t achieved the popular success he envisioned. But that is all grist for the mill, experiments in livin that are ongoing.

If this is the kind of man you would like to read about, Greenlights will be an enjoyable and inspirational read. It’s rare that a successful actor has such a distinctive off air personality. But if you’re turned off by physical conflict, wild adventures and a man who brags about rarely showering alone than Greenlights is not for you.

Personally, while not finding all parts of McConaughey’s biography admirable, I found enough of him to be so different than what Hollywood typically churns out that the book was worth reading. Recommended to all who feel they’re similarly traveling in unmapped regions and want to gather around the campfire to hear a fellow wanderer’s tales.
1,817 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
LOVE this book and love his audible version even more! His stories and outlook on life is just amazing and listening to him tell them makes it even better. Walking us through his life gives us the insight to understand his perspective on things a lot better. It’s nice to have a Texan like him who is wildly successful yet also incredibly down to earth. He knows his roots and he knows how to stay grounded and keep his frequency strong. And he passes that on to everyone - with or without weed and peyote.😉
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
Mathew McConaughey is one of my all time favorite actors! This book was so good! 10 out of 10 would recommend!!! I love the way he painted the picture with words! While sharing his highest highs and lowest lows his life story made me feel so inspired and full of hope. His adventures are superb, the way he writes is excellent! Wonderful wonderful read!
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5.0 out of 5 stars Love is Book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
Mathew McConaughey is one of my all time favorite actors! This book was so good! 10 out of 10 would recommend!!! I love the way he painted the picture with words! While sharing his highest highs and lowest lows his life story made me feel so inspired and full of hope. His adventures are superb, the way he writes is excellent! Wonderful wonderful read!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2024
I love the green lights that he gave in the books and the pauses he took in each chapter that had a quote, or something motivational

Top reviews from other countries

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Fábio
5.0 out of 5 stars Grande livro
Reviewed in Brazil on August 9, 2024
Leitura muito boa e interessante sobre a vida de Mathew
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Fábio
5.0 out of 5 stars Grande livro
Reviewed in Brazil on August 9, 2024
Leitura muito boa e interessante sobre a vida de Mathew
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Diane B.
5.0 out of 5 stars “L-I-V-I-N’”
Reviewed in Canada on May 6, 2024
This is one of those books that’ll just change the way you look at everything in your life. It’s motivating, yet also comforting in the sense that it isn’t preaching to you any paths to success.

McConaughey’s got to be one of the most naturally talented and most poetic story tellers of our time and it’s an absolute joy to read his memoir. 10/10
2 people found this helpful
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ISPaul
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect book!
Reviewed in Brazil on February 21, 2024
Mostra que a vida é imperfeita e cheia de erros. Com uma boa narrativa, tudo pode ficar mais leve.
David
5.0 out of 5 stars llego un muy buen estado
Reviewed in Mexico on November 30, 2023
buen servicio llego a tiempo y sin ningun dano
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, light hearted and enlightening
Reviewed in India on July 14, 2024
Good fun read! Many hilarious moments! Loved reading the story of his life so far. I love Matthew and his choice of movies! Post this read, I also love his philosophy and outlook towards living!!