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Greenlights
Audible Audiobook
– Unabridged
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.
- Listening Length6 hours and 42 minutes
- Audible release dateOctober 20, 2020
- LanguageEnglish
- ASINB08HLW2JXD
- VersionUnabridged
- Program TypeAudiobook
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Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the story quality enjoyable, great, and captivating. They also find the book thought-provoking, inspiring, and life-changing. Readers describe the book as well-written, easy to read, and a perfect read. They find the humor witty and honorable. They describe the author as unapologetically himself and incredibly authentic. They appreciate the beauty and creativity of the book.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the story enjoyable, well-written, and inspirational. They say it's one of the best autobiographies they have ever read. Readers also mention the book is relatable and fascinating.
"...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
"...There’s a lot of great advice in this book for all ages. Great Book." Read more
"...man you would like to read about, Greenlights will be an enjoyable and inspirational read...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking, inspiring, and life-changing. They say it's refreshing, cathartic, and helps put things into perspective. Readers also mention the book gives them hope for future successes.
"...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
"...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
"...There’s a lot of great advice in this book for all ages. Great Book." Read more
"...This book can help put things into perspective. It’s written by a man who wants to help his fellow man...." Read more
Customers find the book well-written, easy to read, and down-to-earth. They appreciate the author's honest and straightforward approach to telling his story. Readers also mention the book is solid all around and doesn't disappoint.
"...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
"...His adventures are superb, the way he writes is excellent! Wonderful wonderful read!" Read more
"this is so wrll written and a great book to read or listen to. He writes of his life story and career...." Read more
"Love his looks but his outlook and personality in writing is weird." Read more
Customers find the story humorous, witty, and thought-provoking. They also say the author is funny, likable, and a fantastic comedic fiction writer. Readers mention the book oozes with charisma and contradictions.
"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
"...It was heartwarming and hilarious. Highly recommend it!" Read more
"...The stories and life lessons shared in this memoir are personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with Divine Love...." Read more
Customers find the book human. They say it's an insightful look at an actor. Readers also mention he's unapologetically himself, authentic, and a great guy.
"...The stories and life lessons shared in this memoir are personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with Divine Love...." 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
"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
"...He is a man of strong values and true character, he is down to earth and truly understands what is really important...." Read more
Customers find the book lovely, thoughtful, and brilliant. They also say it's an enjoyable look at life with suggestions and examples of how to learn. Readers also mention the memoir is personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with hope. They appreciate the beautiful textured paper with gorgeous print.
"...stories and life lessons shared in this memoir are personal, funny, colorful, hopeful, and filled with Divine Love...." Read more
"...Includes accounts in Matthew's own words. Very inspirational and thoughtful...." Read more
"Thank You for this bookIt is made of beautiful textured paper with gorgeous print and interesting photos..." Read more
"...The book is not a conventional memoir. It’s a conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought...." Read more
Customers find the book incredibly authentic, real, and enjoyable. They appreciate the honesty, sincerity, and humor. Readers also mention the author is disciplined, natural, and original.
"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 so raw and real about his relationships with his family and friends. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything.Just such an enjoyable read!" Read more
Customers find the book honest, candid, and poetic. They say it's raw and honest introspective. Readers also mention the author does a great job of conveying his feelings at these particular times in his life. They appreciate the nice narration and touching life experiences.
"Absolutely loved this peak into Matthew's world. A very frank and seemingly honest account of anincredible actor's life." Read more
"...He’s so raw and real about his relationships with his family and friends. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything.Just such an enjoyable read!" Read more
"...The book is not a conventional memoir. It’s a conversational, pleasurable look into McConaughey’s life and thought...." Read more
"...and inspired by his easy and musical way of weaving a story, his unapologetic and often funny account of his life’s lessons, and his overall search..." Read more
Reviews with images
Five diamond review - Greenlight...
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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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.
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2021
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.
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.
if you want to be entertained and enjoy a good book try thus one
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Brazil on August 9, 2024
Expect to laugh on some parts, get sad on others, as you will encounter sensations you've felt before, and have a good time reading certain aspects on one of Hollywood's stars life.
This book is certainly a good gift. And if you don't purchase it for someone, do it for you. I'm positive you'll enjoy how it is written, the visual aspects of it, and try to riddle Matt's caligraphy.