Listen free for 30 days
-
Be Useful
- Seven Tools for Life
- Narrated by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Length: 6 hrs and 19 mins
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Buy Now for $26.22
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Publisher's Summary
THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
The seven rules to follow to realize your true purpose in life—distilled by Arnold Schwarzenegger from his own journey of ceaseless reinvention and extraordinary achievement, and available for absolutely anyone.
The world’s greatest bodybuilder. The world’s highest-paid movie star. The leader of the world’s sixth-largest economy. That these are the same person sounds like the setup to a joke, but this is no joke. This is Arnold Schwarzenegger. And this did not happen by accident.
Arnold’s stratospheric success happened as part of a process. As the result of clear vision, big thinking, hard work, direct communication, resilient problem-solving, open-minded curiosity, and a commitment to giving back. All of it guided by the one lesson Arnold’s father hammered into him above all: be useful. As Arnold conquered every realm he entered, he kept his father’s adage close to his heart.
Written with his uniquely earnest, blunt, powerful voice, Be Useful takes readers on an inspirational tour through Arnold’s tool kit for a meaningful life. He shows us how to put those tools to work, in service of whatever fulfilling future we can dream up for ourselves. He brings his insights to vivid life with compelling personal stories, life-changing successes and life-threatening failures alike—some of them famous; some told here for the first time ever.
Too many of us struggle to disconnect from our self-pity and connect to our purpose. At an early age, Arnold forged the mental tools to build the ladder out of the poverty and narrow-mindedness of his rural Austrian hometown, tools he used to add rung after rung from there. Now he shares that wisdom with all of us. As he puts it, no one is going to come rescue you—you only have yourself. The good news, it turns out, is that you are all you need.
You may also enjoy...
-
Hidden Potential
- The Science of Achieving Greater Things
- Written by: Adam Grant
- Narrated by: Adam Grant, Maurice Ashley, R. A. Dickey, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We live in a world that’s obsessed with talent. We celebrate gifted students in school, natural athletes in sports, and child prodigies in music. But admiring people who start out with innate advantages leads us to overlook the distance we ourselves can travel. We underestimate the range of skills that we can learn and how good we can become. We can all improve at improving. And when opportunity doesn’t knock, there are ways to build a door.
-
-
Didn’t finish
- By S on 2023-12-18
Written by: Adam Grant
-
Total Recall
- My Unbelievably True Life Story
- Written by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Narrated by: Stephen Lang, Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Length: 23 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chronicling his embodiment of the American Dream, Total Recall covers Schwarzenegger's high-stakes journey to the United States, from creating the international bodybuilding industry out of the sands of Venice Beach, to breathing life into cinema's most iconic characters, and becoming one of the leading political figures of our time. Proud of his accomplishments and honest about his regrets, Schwarzenegger spares nothing in sharing his amazing story.
-
-
Unsatisfied
- By Bennymac on 2018-11-24
Written by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
-
Greenlights
- Written by: Matthew McConaughey
- Narrated by: Matthew McConaughey
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
I can’t say enough good things about this book!
- By Ann on 2020-10-21
Written by: Matthew McConaughey
-
Elon Musk
- Written by: Walter Isaacson
- Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb, Walter Isaacson
- Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist.
-
-
Future King of Mars, Inventor of Car Farts!
- By michael smith on 2023-09-12
Written by: Walter Isaacson
-
Making It So
- A Memoir
- Written by: Patrick Stewart
- Narrated by: Patrick Stewart
- Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So, a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.
-
-
Such an incredible voice to listen to.
- By ShawAngel on 2023-10-05
Written by: Patrick Stewart
-
The Psychology of Money
- Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
- Written by: Morgan Housel
- Narrated by: Chris Hill
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Money - investing, personal finance, and business decisions - is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money.
-
-
I am very disappointed with the psychology on money
- By Persy Wang on 2021-06-29
Written by: Morgan Housel
-
Hidden Potential
- The Science of Achieving Greater Things
- Written by: Adam Grant
- Narrated by: Adam Grant, Maurice Ashley, R. A. Dickey, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
We live in a world that’s obsessed with talent. We celebrate gifted students in school, natural athletes in sports, and child prodigies in music. But admiring people who start out with innate advantages leads us to overlook the distance we ourselves can travel. We underestimate the range of skills that we can learn and how good we can become. We can all improve at improving. And when opportunity doesn’t knock, there are ways to build a door.
-
-
Didn’t finish
- By S on 2023-12-18
Written by: Adam Grant
-
Total Recall
- My Unbelievably True Life Story
- Written by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Narrated by: Stephen Lang, Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Length: 23 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Chronicling his embodiment of the American Dream, Total Recall covers Schwarzenegger's high-stakes journey to the United States, from creating the international bodybuilding industry out of the sands of Venice Beach, to breathing life into cinema's most iconic characters, and becoming one of the leading political figures of our time. Proud of his accomplishments and honest about his regrets, Schwarzenegger spares nothing in sharing his amazing story.
-
-
Unsatisfied
- By Bennymac on 2018-11-24
Written by: Arnold Schwarzenegger
-
Greenlights
- Written by: Matthew McConaughey
- Narrated by: Matthew McConaughey
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
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.
-
-
I can’t say enough good things about this book!
- By Ann on 2020-10-21
Written by: Matthew McConaughey
-
Elon Musk
- Written by: Walter Isaacson
- Narrated by: Jeremy Bobb, Walter Isaacson
- Length: 20 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Elon Musk was a kid in South Africa, he was regularly beaten by bullies. One day a group pushed him down some concrete steps and kicked him until his face was a swollen ball of flesh. He was in the hospital for a week. But the physical scars were minor compared to the emotional ones inflicted by his father, an engineer, rogue, and charismatic fantasist.
-
-
Future King of Mars, Inventor of Car Farts!
- By michael smith on 2023-09-12
Written by: Walter Isaacson
-
Making It So
- A Memoir
- Written by: Patrick Stewart
- Narrated by: Patrick Stewart
- Length: 18 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From his acclaimed stage triumphs to his legendary onscreen work in the Star Trek and X-Men franchises, Sir Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences around the world and across multiple generations with his indelible command of stage and screen. Now, he presents his long-awaited memoir, Making It So, a revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself.
-
-
Such an incredible voice to listen to.
- By ShawAngel on 2023-10-05
Written by: Patrick Stewart
-
The Psychology of Money
- Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness
- Written by: Morgan Housel
- Narrated by: Chris Hill
- Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Money - investing, personal finance, and business decisions - is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together. In The Psychology of Money, award-winning author Morgan Housel shares 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money.
-
-
I am very disappointed with the psychology on money
- By Persy Wang on 2021-06-29
Written by: Morgan Housel
-
No Time Like the Future
- An Optimist Considers Mortality
- Written by: Michael J. Fox
- Narrated by: Michael J. Fox
- Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The entire world knows Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, the teenage sidekick of Doc Brown in Back to the Future; as Alex P. Keaton in Family Ties; as Mike Flaherty in Spin City; and through numerous other movie roles and guest appearances on shows such as The Good Wife and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Diagnosed at age 29, Michael is equally engaged in Parkinson’s advocacy work, raising global awareness of the disease and helping find a cure through The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, the world's leading nonprofit funder of PD science.
-
-
A Canadian Hero
- By Dr4star on 2021-04-07
Written by: Michael J. Fox
-
How to Talk to Anyone
- 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships
- Written by: Leil Lowndes
- Narrated by: Joyce Bean, Leil Lowndes
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What is that magic quality that makes some people instantly loved and respected? Everyone wants to be their friend (or, if single, their lover!) In business, they rise swiftly to the top of the corporate ladder. What is their "Midas touch?"
-
-
93 little tricks to come off as a fake idiot
- By Anonymous User on 2021-01-21
Written by: Leil Lowndes
-
Can't Hurt Me
- Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds
- Written by: David Goggins
- Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick
- Length: 13 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare--poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse colored his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a US Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force tactical air controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events.
-
-
Awesome book!
- By Maryse on 2019-04-21
Written by: David Goggins
-
12 Rules for Life
- An Antidote to Chaos
- Written by: Jordan B. Peterson, Norman Doidge MD
- Narrated by: Jordan B. Peterson
- Length: 15 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
What does everyone in the modern world need to know? Renowned psychologist Jordan B. Peterson's answer to this most difficult of questions uniquely combines the hard-won truths of ancient tradition with the stunning revelations of cutting-edge scientific research. Humorous, surprising, and informative, Dr. Peterson tells us why skateboarding boys and girls must be left alone, what terrible fate awaits those who criticize too easily, and why you should always pet a cat when you meet one on the street.
-
-
Listening to this was like sitting through church.
- By William H. on 2018-05-06
Written by: Jordan B. Peterson, and others
-
Never Finished
- Unshackle Your Mind and Win the War Within
- Written by: David Goggins
- Narrated by: David Goggins, Adam Skolnick, Jacqueline Gardner
- Length: 11 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can’t Hurt Me, David Goggins’ smash hit memoir, demonstrated how much untapped ability we all have but was merely an introduction to the power of the mind. In Never Finished, Goggins takes you inside his Mental Lab, where he developed the philosophy, psychology, and strategies that enabled him to learn that what he thought was his limit was only his beginning and that the quest for greatness is unending.
-
-
This is my #1 Listen
- By Anonymous User on 2022-12-16
Written by: David Goggins
-
Steve Jobs
- Written by: Walter Isaacson
- Narrated by: Dylan Baker
- Length: 25 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Based on more than 40 interviews with Jobs conducted over two years—as well as interviews with more than a hundred family members, friends, adversaries, competitors, and colleagues—Walter Isaacson has written a riveting story of the roller-coaster life and searingly intense personality of a creative entrepreneur whose passion for perfection and ferocious drive revolutionized six industries: personal computers, animated movies, music, phones, tablet computing, and digital publishing.
-
-
don't hold this one off
- By Alex on 2020-06-17
Written by: Walter Isaacson
-
Endure
- How to Work Hard, Outlast, and Keep Hammering
- Written by: Cameron Hanes
- Narrated by: Cameron Hanes, David Goggins, Joe Rogan
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Cameron Hanes discovered his true passion for bowhunting when he was twenty. Inspired by the physical challenges of stalking elk in the Oregon wilderness—traversing mountainous terrain, braving erratic weather, and evading his quarry’s even more dangerous predators—he began an ever-evolving journey of self-improvement. To become the best bowhunter of wild elk, to the caliber he believed he could be, Cam realized he would need more than archery skills.
-
-
I went through phases during this one!...
- By Feminist Artist: Monica Brinkman on 2022-07-02
Written by: Cameron Hanes
-
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
- A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life
- Written by: Mark Manson
- Narrated by: Roger Wayne
- Length: 5 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For decades we've been told that positive thinking is the key to a happy, rich life. "F*ck positivity," Mark Manson says. "Let's be honest, shit is f*cked, and we have to live with it." In his wildly popular Internet blog, Manson doesn't sugarcoat or equivocate. He tells it like it is - a dose of raw, refreshing, honest truth that is sorely lacking today. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is his antidote to the coddling, let's-all-feel-good mind-set that has infected modern society and spoiled a generation, rewarding them with gold medals just for showing up.
-
-
Point Made in First Half Hour....
- By Brett Jenson on 2017-10-18
Written by: Mark Manson
-
Tough
- My Journey to True Power
- Written by: Terry Crews
- Narrated by: Terry Crews
- Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terry Crews spent decades cultivating his bodybuilder physique and bravado. On the outside, he seemed invincible: he escaped his abusive father, went pro in the NFL, and broke into the glamorous world of Hollywood. But his fixation with appearing outwardly tough eventually turned into an exhausting performance in which repressing his emotions let them get the better of him—leading him into addiction and threatening the most important relationships in his life. Now Crews is sharing the raw, never-before-told story of his quest to find the true meaning of toughness.
-
-
Great story about a man’s struggle with becoming a man
- By Peter on 2024-04-21
Written by: Terry Crews
-
Outlive
- The Science and Art of Longevity
- Written by: Peter Attia MD, Bill Gifford - contributor
- Narrated by: Peter Attia MD
- Length: 17 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Wouldn’t you like to live longer? And better? In this operating manual for longevity, Dr. Peter Attia draws on the latest science to deliver innovative nutritional interventions, techniques for optimizing exercise and sleep, and tools for addressing emotional and mental health.
-
-
Not what I was expecting
- By stuck in Mobay on 2023-07-20
Written by: Peter Attia MD, and others
-
The Mountain Is You
- Transforming Self-Sabotage into Self-Mastery
- Written by: Brianna Wiest
- Narrated by: Stacey Glemboski
- Length: 5 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Coexisting but conflicting needs create self-sabotaging behaviors. This is why we resist efforts to change, often until they feel completely futile. But by extracting crucial insight from our most damaging habits, building emotional intelligence by better understanding our brains and bodies, releasing past experiences at a cellular level, and learning to act as our highest potential future selves, we can step out of our own way and into our potential.
-
-
Perfect!!!!
- By Anonymous User on 2022-10-05
Written by: Brianna Wiest
-
Atomic Habits
- An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
- Written by: James Clear
- Narrated by: James Clear
- Length: 5 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
No matter your goals, Atomic Habits offers a proven framework for improving - every day. James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results. If you're having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn't you. The problem is your system. Bad habits repeat themselves again and again not because you don't want to change, but because you have the wrong system for change.
-
-
An actually actionable self help book.
- By Mr P J Hill on 2019-07-07
Written by: James Clear
What listeners say about Be Useful
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-10-24
Overall good with a few caveats
Arnold does well in expressing his thoughts and feelings. I may disagree at times but where I would give a 6/10 he deserves a nudge up for sincerity and often acknowledgement.
He recounts many events and influences that helped him and is humble enough to repeatedly stress how nobody at all is self-made.
Sometimes though, I think he DOES forget his humble beginnings or is somewhat oxymoronic. He praises the hard work of videogame developers but makes the crass statement that people who need free time for things other than productivity are "babies" or "it's for retirees". Well I'm sorry Arnold, what are you working for if not your ability to do things you love? As you say towards the end, you work hard for yourself, so you're able to do things (like give back) which you enjoy.
All around I think it's a good listen with life lessons that many self-help books give us. And much like those self-help books, this one often forgets that downtime, time away from the big narratives we write for ourselves, are just as important, even if they should be managed to reasonable time periods in every week.
I don't dislike this book, just take a few issues. I'm not really all that impressed that in 2023 he's pointing to the hard work of Elon Musk, who I don't believe anyone even credits for being more than a blood-money hype man these days. He also seems to adore his father (where the book title comes from) but was somewhat glossing over the drunken beatings. I'm actually sad to hear he didn't stop the violence personally, the way many I know have.
A few gaffes or not fully realized points aside, it's a good listen and seems to be sincere and heartfelt.
If you're an Arnold super fan, you probably didn't bother to read a review and are happy. If you're not a fan at all of his body of work or politics, you still would likely enjoy the conversation he tries to have with you.
Enjoy!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- David Sheridan
- 2023-11-28
Fantastic book
Arnold is the greatest. His personal stories are wonderful and thoughtful. He does an excellent job making it feel like he is talking to you - one on one. A terrific book full of really helpful advice and tips to create a better version of yourself. Highly recommended!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bernhard Mattern
- 2023-11-25
See it achieve it
Loved sincerity and honesty displayed a the way through. Would highly recommend to friends and family
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Abdallah mahnood
- 2023-11-22
Wow such a powerful story
This book was such an eye opener on his life. Highly recommended this book for anyone interested in seeing how a man can go from nothing to the world
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-12-01
GET TO THE CHOPPA! Listen to Arnold Schwarzenegger today!
Utterly motivated and inspired! I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in self development. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hardworking attitude is second to none. Came from a humble beginning, he described how he strived to excel in everything he did with sheer discipline and determination.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2024-02-02
Great Book!!!
Terrific book. An inspiration to anyone in business and in life and hearing it in Arnold’s own voice makes it that much more enjoyable.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lynn
- 2024-01-17
Excellent. Simply Excellent!
I have loved Arnold all my life but with this insightful book, I have new found/additional respect for him. I loved him as a body builder and an actor but the level of dedication he has to helping people and reaching back to bring others up is incredible. His dedication is relentless. What an amazing human being.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Louis
- 2024-04-10
Always the Best
Thank you Arnold for sharing again and again your life experience.
Always gives me encouragement and guidelines towards my goals, and the potential I want to reach as a person.
Thank you thank you for this amazing book, can't wait to see you in Fubar season 2!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 2024-06-08
Exceptional guide to leadership
Filled with timeless wisdom, great anecdotes, and encouragement for those wanting to challenge themselves to grow
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazon Customer
- 2024-06-14
Amazing book
If this book doesn’t inspire you, your pulse has stopped.
Too many lessons to mention. The audio version has been great to listen to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!