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Will cover art

Will

Written by: Will Smith,Mark Manson
Narrated by: Will Smith
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Publisher's Summary

One of the most dynamic and globally recognized entertainment forces of our time opens up fully about his life, in a brave and inspiring book that traces his learning curve to a place where outer success, inner happiness, and human connection are aligned. Along the way, Will tells the story in full of one of the most amazing rides through the worlds of music and film that anyone has ever had.

Will Smith’s transformation from a West Philadelphia kid to one of the biggest rap stars of his era, and then one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood history, is an epic tale — but it’s only half the story.

Will Smith thought, with good reason, that he had won at life: Not only was his own success unparalleled, his whole family was at the pinnacle of the entertainment world. Only they didn't see it that way: They felt more like star performers in his circus, a seven-days-a-week job they hadn't signed up for. It turned out Will Smith's education wasn't nearly over. 

This memoir is the product of a profound journey of self-knowledge, a reckoning with all that your will can get you and all that it can leave behind. Written with the help of Mark Manson, author of the multi-million-copy best seller The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Will is the story of how one person mastered his own emotions, written in a way that can help everyone else do the same. Few of us will know the pressure of performing on the world's biggest stages for the highest of stakes, but we can all understand that the fuel that works for one stage of our journey might have to be changed if we want to make it all the way home. The combination of genuine wisdom of universal value and a life story that is preposterously entertaining, even astonishing, puts Will the book, like its author, in a category by itself.

This audiobook includes a downloadable PDF of music credits.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Will Smith and Mark Manson (P)2021 Penguin Audio

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Still a fan, but maybe a little more reluctantly

I finished listening to Will sometime yesterday morning. I’ve sat with it a bit before reviewing it.
In a lot of ways it was the story I expected, with some really good humour and some self deprecating moments.
I was a little surprised by the amount of ego. It took away some of my admiration for the man, and it also made him pretty human.
I think I would have probably put down the written version and maybe not come back to it. But listening to it gave me inflections and some heart felt feelings that would not have come out otherwise.
#Will #bigwillystyle

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29 people found this helpful

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1st Audible book

I have never been a big reader, it takes me a long time to read a whole book and I don't have a lot of down time. I have been wanting to try audible for a while now, so when Will Smith's book WILL came out I thought it was the perfect book to start with and I was right. I could not stop listening. It took me 3 days to listen to over 16 hours I couldn't believe it. It was like he was talking right to me, I enjoyed every single chapter. I can't wait to listen to another book I already have a few in mind.

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17 people found this helpful

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One of the best memoirs out there

Really enjoyed this book, I couldn’t stop listening. Stayed up all night and finished the next day.
Will Smith is brutally honest and really goes there which is how people should write memoirs, if you don’t want to talk about it, don’t write a book!
He was also really relatable, Will Smith is only a couple years older than me but I didn’t expect to be able to relate to a big movie star on so many levels. And then there’s the entertainment factor. Ultimately, this was a book I didn’t even know I needed in my life!

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My Heart Hurts.....and I'm left Blah

I want to start by saying I had HUGE expectations (my own mind no one's pushing) for this book. My love for Will Smith(the actor and Artist) is long and deep. so, I thought I'd be getting a book by the man I have grown to love but that's not what happened.

As I listened to Will tell his story I realized that my love for the Actor/Artist was all that it was. I do not have love or even really like the man who's story I just heard. I've heard people say that meeting their idol has been a big let down....that they thought the "person" they've gotten to know through a screen or speakers was not who they met....well now I know this is the case.

The man Will Smith is all ego!! And if you ever forget it, he will tell you every few pages that he is THE GREATEST ACTOR AND RAPPER EVER! And I'm not exaggerating when I say EVERY FEW PAGES! He also goes off on these tangents, that I'm sure he meant to be motivational, but went on for far too long.

I am impressed with how he worked his way from the West side of Philly to the world and how he has stayed true to many people, but I couldn't get over how he took all the credit for it all.

I also feel that the Audible version is much better than the written....I wouldn't have been able to read this book. I liked the music and audio parts that were laid into this version.

I'm just left deflated....and feeling blah.


I also want to state that I am well aware that it was my mind that put an idea of who I thought Will Smith was into my own head...and it is not his fault he does not live up to that AT ALL.

The book gets 3 ⭐️
His reading and added audio gets 4 ⭐️
The overall story gets 2 ⭐️

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12 people found this helpful

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Pathetic Coward

I actually enjoyed the book, but after seeing his cowardly act at the Oscars…hitting a man who had his hands behind his back?!? After all the growth he professes in the book we see he’s still the cowardly little boy he talks about in the book. Pathetic.

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Disappointed

Was enjoying this book and then witness to his assault on Chris Rock, I want my money back for this book. So much struggle in the world so much privilege with Academy Awards now makes this book not worth my hard earned money. Authentic memoir now it is not. If everyone slapped those that offend them well that’s just not the way most of us are allowed to behave. Duped with this life story must have left out the truth.

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Disappointing

It had some entertaining parts but the overall ego radiating from Will got tiring. He always went over the top with everything. Even his therapy! He paid tons of money for years of therapy, traveled the world to find himself and still he thinks slapping ppl on live TV is ok. The ‘ego’ from the book and his actions from The Oscars made the entertainment value of the book pale. Pretty disappointed in both Will and his book.

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8 people found this helpful

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  • jet
  • 2022-03-28

I didn’t finish the book

After seeing his actions at the Oscars. I can’t believe anything he says in this book anymore.

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Got it..biggest movie star

Have always liked Will Smith but it gets repetitive and annoying to hear how he is the biggest movie star in the world. I liked the stories about his childhood and how it shaped him into the determined man he is today. But the ego sounds inflated and makes me want to roll my eyes.

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7 people found this helpful

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This book was MADE to be heard as an audiobook!

So dynamic in editing. Will's integration of music in the audiobook makes it 10x better. So smart and true to his style.

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  • Kejeco
  • 2021-11-18

Will sure loves Will

Will's life story about starting out with nothing and rising to fame and fortune isn't anything new. He worked hard, paid his dues and made it to the top. Good for him. The beginning of his story is interesting and quite entertaining. As it goes on, and on, and on, I just kept finding myself wanting it to end. It's all about the amazing, wonderful people Will knows and all of the wonderful, amazing places Will's been with a few words of wisdom (nothing earth-shattering here!) thrown in. I wanted to love this book and Will, but I don't. After spending 16 hours with Will, I don't like him at all. It's ok though, Will loves Will enough for all of us!

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  • Rose Evernden-Andrade
  • 2021-11-18

Thought I was a Fan!

I was really excited to read this book! He starts out so vulnerable and transparent about his life as a child and his music career. I was listening to his start into music and my husband over heard the book and was totally pulled in and fascinated. He wanted to go purchase the book only hearing 1-2 chapters. BUT then he goes into chapters and chapters of boastful bragging, at first I thought he earned it but he goes on and on. Then a party for his wife - as he is speaking I am getting a stomach ache thinking he really is not going to put the loss of her beloved grandma for the world to see. If he made that video and asked her for a private quiet moment to show just her - well that would have been for her but to show it off to the whole party - I wanted to throw up - I was very close to my grandparents and now passed parents, I just cannot imagine. I was about to stop reading and return the book when all of a sudden he goes to therapy and I think ok now we are getting somewhere - they will get help and come together so I kept listening. Some interesting concepts but then the book ends -- Once again all eyes on Will. I wish I wouldn't have read it and yes I returned it. I totally respect and admire the choices he has made with his wife - he talks about giving but I don't think he is to a place that he really knows that what his family wants is for him to be happy when he is just with them - At the end they ask his daughter what she thinks of what he was doing and she said "its ok as long as he is happy" NOW THAT young girl is WISE beyond her years!

He is a great actor, sooooo funny, I will continue to watch his movies and respect the talent he possesses, but will pray that he continues on his search for true happiness.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2021-11-09

WILL SMITH IS ….

A legend ….his story is filled with lessons n that will last long in the mind of the reader! I assure you This book will be enlightening to a great many people! His voice has such a familiarity that it makes easy listening even when it’s intense moments surface! Love you Will i wish you all the Joy your hands and heart can hold

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  • Cooperation
  • 2021-11-29

Awful

It’s clear that Will Smith is a Narcissist when you listen to him. His over-inflated view of himself gets old fast.

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  • Cloty Ortiz
  • 2021-11-09

Nothing cowardly about this book.

Loved your honesty. Going forward, will concentrate in perfectly laying one brick at a time.

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  • Passionate Book Reader
  • 2021-11-22

A Memoir of Self-Awareness and Self Psychoanalysis

Will Smith is very intelligent, talented, and funny. A true performer who will always leave his audience laughing, crying, or with something to think deeply about. For that, I will always enjoy him as an entertainer, and the most charismatic guy in Hollywood.

This book starts off like a memoir, where Will invites us into his childhood and devulges his childhood fears, likes, and dislikes. We also get to know his family. His "Mom-Mom" an educated woman, grandmother "Gi-Gi" a spiritual woman, and his father, who is a strong-armed entrepreneur, but a thorn in the Smith Family household. During the early years, the stoic Will Smith Sr. inculcates the importance of hardwork with his boys. He has a BIG personality, much like Will's today, except his bullying came in physical form, leaving the Smith family with wounds to recover from for many years to come. The second half of the book was part memoir, part self-awareness and psychoanalysis.

I enjoyed the beginning of the book far more than the latter parts because I could feel the intimacy and connection to Will's childhood. It also felt more personable. If I didn't know any better, I would think Will wrote the first half and the second half was co-authored with a therapist. The psychoanalytic of everything that was happening in Will's life after his stardom was informative and enlightning at first, but then it becomes excessively preachy and wordy. In particular, when he discusses feelings and emotions and how we interpret them. I also felt within this self-analysis of himself that there was a slight overcast of him judging and excusing his behavior before the reader could reach their own conclusion and or interpretation. I believe more personal information could have been shared in the latter chapters instead of the expansion on human psyche. With this knowledge and self-awareness, I'm still wondering if Will has actually learned the lessons or does he simply understand the "Why" and "How" things happened? Because knowing is half the battle. I would have liked to have seen growth, not just a keen sense of self-awareness.

"The Jump," is the final chapter that brings it all together. It's a reminder that Will Smith will always be adventurous, odd, daring, selfish, yes, even crazy at times! Yet, he will leave you with a thought-provoking question, and that is, you only have one life to live so will you live it "Big Willie" style? or Will you live it on a more balanced scale? For all the world is a stage, but in life, we are still left to deal with ourselves when the curtains close.

3.5 stars

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  • detrick gilder
  • 2021-11-09

Will smith

This book is powerful, it’s a must read book that will leave you in aww and tears

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  • Arthur
  • 2021-11-09

5+ Stars

Will Smith is one of my favorite actors. This book is too good to stop listening to. Heavily recommended listen.

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  • Jennifer Payne
  • 2021-11-09

Well well WILL

GREAT LISTEN! Amazing intro! I nearly finished in one day. What an astounding life of someone I grew up watching and admiring! I grew up laughing at this man, but I spent the last 5 hours both laughing and crying! To hear about his life from his MOUTH was a breath of fresh air. He kept it real and kept me entertained throughout! Thanks, Will!

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  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-11-09

The best memoir I’ve ever read

What a treat it is to listen to all these stories and Wisdom in Will’s Voice

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  • salima
  • 2022-03-22

OMFG

Best book I have listened to in YEARS!!! A must read, nothing else to say.

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  • David S
  • 2022-03-11

Lu par le boss

Toujours un plaisir d’avoir le rédacteur original qui prête sa voix pour notre plus grand bonheur. Une énergie hors du commun et une histoire inspirante
Merci pour ça

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  • ABza
  • 2022-02-08

Life changing

The best audiobook I’ve ever read in my life! Incredible! Amazing! Life changing! Thank you, Will Smith!

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2022-01-27

The Greatest Memoir

The greatest memoir on the greatest Audible...
what a story, a human one, about life, bullshit free. Thanks Will !

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  • Séyé
  • 2021-12-29

Excellent

Une véritable introspection dans la vie de Will Smith avec une belle leçon de vie

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  • Anonymous User
  • 2021-12-23

GRATITUDE !!!

A must to read! Enjoyed every minutes! So inspiring! I love the authenticity of this book! Gratitude Will! Love you and your family!

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  • Battistta
  • 2021-11-19

brilliant!

one of the best audiobooks I've listened to! great performance and music choices that go along :)

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  • Véronique
  • 2023-11-06

Wouaw !


Saying things as they are in the depths of the mind or heart.
A gift from Will, in whom Mabiba had rightly seen a great human being.
A mirror held up in many ways.
A must read

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  • Joually
  • 2023-10-03

Just awesome

Will is a fantastic storyteller on screen and paper ! Throughout the whole book you really get to know him and understand his way of life and why he is how he is which funny, smart, brilliant but also vulnerable, fearful and just very human. It was an amazing read + the little audio gifts along the way assures you a good trip!!

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  • Aelina
  • 2023-09-20

Excellent !

Très inspirant, à écouter absolument pour tous ceux sui aiment les autobiographies
Lu par Will Smith même, il met beaucoup de vie , beaucoup d'émotions et c'est très bien réalisé avec des morceaux de musique, des sons....un vrai plaisir à écouter !
J'ai aussi apprécié l'analyse psychologique profonde de ses actions, l'auteur a pris beaucoup de recul , beaucoup de maturité.
C'est très sincère et authentique , il s'expose complètement aux lecteurs



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