Total Recall Book Review: Entertaining yet Ineloquent

As an avid reader, I still did not initially see the appeal to Total Recall, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new biography. However, after being encouraged to read it by a friend, I dove into the book headfirst and had difficulty putting it down. Arnold’s story is truly incredible. He started out as a scrawny Austrian boy to become the world’s best bodybuilding champ to Hollywood’s highest paid movie star to California Governor. The man has definitely made a strong case for the most interesting life of our generation. However incredible the story may be, the book itself dos not live up to the hype and leaves something to be desired

Although the content is great, the writing of the book is mediocre. I understand Arnold is not a native English speaker, but his ghostwriter, Peter Petre, could have taken more liberty to change Arnold’s diction in many parts of the book. It may have been their intention to play off his infamous accent, but it is very ineloquent at times and it often feels like it iss written to be spoken than read. The biggest problem for me is my perception of his honesty.

 In a book with several chapters chronicling his rise from scrawny boy to the buffest man in the world, he only mentions steroids a mere three times. He says that his use of steroids was not that helpful, comparing its effects to that of a good tan. As a long time fitness fanatic, I know this to be untrue. He trained 5-6 hours a day six days a week. This schedule is impossible without the use of performance enhancing drugs. Without them, his body would break down from overuse and his muscles would not grow.

Perhaps the biggest problem is his revelation of his affair with his housekeeper. In a chapter titled “The Secret,” Arnold leads readers to believe he only slept with his housekeeper one time and that he did not consider the child she bore nine months later could possibly be his. The rest of the chapter discusses his estranged relationship with his wife instead of the affair, which to my dismay was not what I was interested in. A man of immense confidence, Schwarzenegger’s ego is all but certain the cause for his multiple affairs. It’s also worth mentioning the irony of the way he describes his soon to be ex-wife. He calls her his “dream girl.” I find it ironic that a man so disciplined with his body and life could not be disciplined with a woman he loved so much.

 I personally found the chapters following his rise in the bodybuilding world while working out in Venice to be the most interesting. Perhaps that’s because it shows the hard work he went through in order to reach the point where he was today. The chapters of his movie career were also entertaining, but I struggled at times to finish his political chapters. His stint as Governor was not popular amongst California citizens so its no surprise it’s likely going to be the least popular section of the book as well.

 Overall, I would describe the book as good, but not great. His legacy is to be admired as he has had immense success in numerous industries, but I would still not recommend this book to everyone. As a big fan of both fitness and entertainment, this book was an easy choice for me and left me greatly entertained. But someone who is not a major fan of either may find themselves bored and wanting more. For me the strength of this book is its ability to inspire others. Arnold was very successful through hard work and determination. Thus, if you can take one lesson from his life and this book, it is that hard work and tenacity begets success.
Final Grade: 6.5 out of 10.