True Myths: The Life and Times of Arnold Schwarzenegger

(Paperback)

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Description

He arrived in California with $20 in his pocket; now he's governor of the state. But who is Arnold Schwarzenegger A superachiever, rising from a steroid-enhanced bodybuilder into a global star and the highest-paid actor in Hollywood Or a Teutonic terminator, sent from Austria to America to kick Democratic butt Nigel Andrews unearths Arnold's riveting story from his strict Germanic upbringing through the worlds of bodybuilding and movies to his metamorphosis from muscle-bound star to political powerhouse. Andrews illuminates the myth-making power of Arnold's own ambitions and follows his strange career all the way up through the stage-managed but scandal-assailed campaign and dramatic recall election to his eventual triumph.

Reviews

'True Myths skilfully combines biographical detail with cogent commentary. Andrews gives Arnie a long hard look. It makes scary reading' New Statesman 'Superbly researched ... this is a man who began his career hanging out at body-building contests in the East End with Jimmy Savile and topped it by being asked by George Bush to take a job. Even Clint Eastwood can't match that' Vox 'Entertaining and well-researched ... a truly memorable story' Financial Times 'A witty, far-ranging survey of the man and his braggadocio ... the reader learns much about where willpower can get your in Hollywood and why' Times Literary Supplement

Author Bio

Nigel Andrews is the film critic of the Financial Times and the author of True Myths: The Life and Times of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Birch Lane Press, 1996. After graduating from Cambridge University he worked at the British Film Institute as an editor on the Cinema One book series and was a frequent writer for Sight and Sound and the Monthly Film Bulletin. He has also broadcast regularly for BBC Radio, writing and presenting programmes on the arts and cinema. In 1985 he was named Critic of the Year in the British Press Awards.