Will

"Will" is more than just an autobiography - it's a powerful story that resonated deeply with me, revealing the incredible journey of renowned actor and musician, Will Smith. Co-written by Mark Manson, this book delves into Smith's humble beginnings in West Philadelphia and his rise to becoming a global superstar. His story serves as a testament to resilience, courage, and the indomitable human spirit.The early chapters transported me into Smith's childhood, growing up in a modest home in a challenging neighborhood. He faced poverty and a difficult family life marked by an alcoholic father. These formative experiences forged a resilient spirit in him, which became evident as his life unfolded. Smith's strong work ethic and positive outlook on life, which I found incredibly inspiring, were instrumental in overcoming the numerous hurdles he encountered throughout his life​1​.Smith's rise to fame began with his passion for music. Starting his career as a rapper at a young age, he teamed up with DJ Jazzy Jeff, releasing his first album at just 16. Emboldened by his early success, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting after high school. This bold decision led to a starring role on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and later, in numerous blockbuster movies - a journey that I found fascinating​1​.What struck me most about "Will" was the candidness with which Smith shared his highs and lows. He didn't hold back in discussing his failures and mistakes, including a financially tumultuous period when he owed over $3 million in taxes to the IRS. The end of his first marriage to Sheree was another challenging time in his life. I was moved by Smith's willingness to take responsibility for his actions, his resolve to learn from his mistakes, and his determination to bounce back. These personal revelations underscored a powerful message about resilience and personal growth in the face of adversity​1​.The book also emphasized the importance of confronting fears for personal growth. Smith, who famously said that all the beautiful things in life are on the other side of fear, showcased this through his own anecdote of overcoming a fear of heights by skydiving. This served as a powerful reminder that stepping out of my comfort zone could lead to a more fulfilling life​1​.The lessons in "Will" extended beyond Smith's personal experiences to broader life lessons that I found applicable in my own life. A key takeaway was that future success is not bound by a difficult upbringing or imperfect parenting. Smith's life story is a testament to the belief that life rewards those who persist through adversity and challenging times​1​.In terms of the writing style, Smith and Manson have crafted a narrative that is engaging and relatable. The prose is accessible, and the story flows smoothly, making it a captivating read from start to finish.I must mention one minor drawback: the lack of detailed discussion about Smith's acting career. If, like me, you're looking for insights into his experiences on film sets or his interactions with other Hollywood stars, you might find this aspect wanting. However, this does not significantly detract from the overall value of the book, given its focus on Smith's personal journey and life lessons.In conclusion, reading "Will" felt like more than just getting to know the life of a superstar - it was a journey through a guidebook for overcoming adversity and achieving success. Will Smith's remarkable life story not only entertained me but also inspired me to dream big, confront my fears, and cultivate resilience in my life.

I found this an insightful self analysis of the life of someone who seemingly didn't stop moving long enough to ever consider how fast his life was moving along. Take this as an autobiography on one level and a book that dips into the self help genre on another. It was interesting to read how Will Smith came to the realisation that his fame and money were not necessarily who he was, but growing up with the Fresh Prince I found some parts just interesting trivia. Worth a read.

This book can be slow at times but it is a decent read

Very great book. Got me hooked into it straight away. Will doesn’t hold back about telling his life story

Enjoyed reading this book. Very interesting and useful life experiences.

I chose to read this book because it was rated highly by The Sunday Times. I like and have read many autobiographies about famous people, especially those who I envy and follow whether being through sports or music etc. This book is very well written and tells the story, not only of Will’s life but also the lives of his family, friends etc. There are lots of stories and interesting facts about Will that never new, like the fact about the number of movies he starred in, making the most amount of money ever. The book was funny, interesting and included names of lots of famous people. To end the book, there was a number of photos of Will and his family and friends. I only wish I could have seen them in colour (Kindle is black and white).

My God he is full of himself. The amount of times he said 'scorched Earth' I wanted to cringe. Success has long gone to his head beneath the nice guy image on talk shows. The Chris Rock scandal exposed him for his true colours and unresolved child anxiety issues as mentioned in the book.It's still a very interesting book where he describes his rise to fame and his bankrupt period. Supportive friends and family. I just expected a bit more down to earth dignity.

I’ve finished reading this book and oh my it's so good. I love how Will is playing music in the background, re-enacting the voices of other people, and the purpose behind his name Will. I love the realness, the rawness, and comedy of the book so far. I admire his mother for her strength, and I love the fact that he grew up knowing his grandmother and allowing her wise words of faith be instilled in him.It's something about owning up to your mistakes from past relationships, I personally find it attractive.My favorite chapter of this book is the Love Chapter:To love and to be loved is the highest human reward of ecstasy.Love is: Discovering, cultivating, and sharing our uniques gifts for the purpose of uplifting and empowering our loved ones.

Really great read. I have always loved Will Smith and after reading this, I love him more. Recommend it 100%

I bought it on Kindle then bought a hard copy for my teen son. It's a great book for young men, who lack a mentor figure who shows emotions, as well a book full of life lessons from a young male perspective. I was never a huge Will fan, though always appreciated his work through my teens (impossible to escape Will Smith as a teen in the late 90's). During recent years, I also appreciated how he puts himself out there as a more conscious type of celebrity. What I loved the most about this is that he is honest about shadowy aspects of himself that can easily make him look really really bad. There were some parts that were too honest that I considered if I were him, would I ever be that honest? Or is it that he's so untouchable financially and in reputation that he can do this? The part where he wants to hurt his father in a wheelchair but doesn't, the part where he doesn't sign the autograph for a fan with a down-syndrome brother, and all those messy relationships with women, not being emotionally present with his wife and children... in his position, many of us could have done the same, yet many readers will be incapable of recognizing that and certainly hate him for those events... yet, Will still wrote those words, and that's what made me appreciate him more. What shows clearly is that there are no black and white in relationships. You can't truly hate every aspect of a person, nor love every aspect of anyone, and the way every relationship was laid out did justice to the full spectrum of life in the most honest lens possible (with inevitable personal bias). Great memoir for those with big dreams, and a certain staple read for young men to learn to heal their emotions on their path to success.

A lot of gold and a lot os lessons about life, love, family, freedom, work ethics, perseverance and self-belief. Will is a great guy. A great conversation.

"Will" by Will Smith** is an engaging memoir that chronicles the actor's remarkable journey from a young rapper to a global superstar. Smith's candid storytelling captures his relentless drive, personal struggles, and triumphs, offering readers an intimate glimpse into his life. The book is both motivational and inspiring, emphasizing the importance of hard work, resilience, and self-belief. Smith's reflections on success and failure, along with his authentic voice, make "Will" a compelling read for anyone interested in personal growth and the pursuit of dreams. It's a powerful narrative of overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness through determination and perseverance.