Arnold Schwarzenegger - a bodybuilder-turned-real-estate mogul who turned an undefeated streak at the Mr Olympia contest into an astonishing film career and eight years as the governor of California - is, for many people, the embodiment of the American Dream. From humble beginnings in a small village in Austria, Schwarzenegger has come to symbolise the opportunities that exist for anyone willing to work hard - parlaying success and self-confidence into the influence to shape hearts and minds across the globe. Even today, whether he's campaigning against climate change or fist-bumping fellow strongmen at his self-titled athletic event, he's one of the few men on the planet who's recognisable from his first name alone. Arnold.
Fiaz Rafiq uses in-depth interviews with Schwarzenegger's peers to tell the life story of the one-time Governator, featuring exclusive interviews with his personal and close friends, fellow bodybuilders and training partners, Hollywood co-stars, directors, executive producers, political personalities and journalists - all offering first-hand accounts of the man they know. Together, these voices show new dimensions to the Arnold we all think we know - from the driven young man who brought building into the mainstream to the passionate advocate for political change.
Fiaz Rafiq is a professional sports and entertainment writer for more than half a dozen national newspapers. For fifteen years, he was a chief columnist for a bestselling combat sports magazine MAI, and also contributed to Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and Impact: The Global Action Movie Magazine. Fiaz co-authored My Brother, Muhammad Ali: The Definitive Biography of the Greatest of All Time with Rahaman Ali.
Title: Arnold Schwarzenegger: The Life of a Legend
Author: Fiaz Rafiq
ISBN: 9781909715974
Binding:
Publisher: Birlinn General
Publication Date: 2021-05-06
Number of Pages: 416
Weight: 0.6402 kg
'Candid and entertaining recollections from some of the figures closest to Schwarzenegger reveal the hunger and desire that drove him to realize the American Dream. Rarely heard-before anecdotes underline the self-confidence that helped shape a bodybuilding and Hollywood icon ahead of his alliance with one of America's great political dynasties. Fascinating reading'
* Daily Mail *
'A fresh and illuminating look at Arnold, taking in everything from his early days in bodybuilding to his twin careers in film and politics. A fascinating look at a self-made man, as told by the people who knew him best'
* Men's Fitness *
'Intriguing new insight into the figure who transcended bodybuilding and movies to become a seminal figure in US politics and society. A must-read for any Arniephile'
* Daily Telegraph *
'An excellent insight into all facets of the Governator's career'
* Impact: The Global Action Movie Magazine *
'This book provides an intriguing insight into the life of a truly global superstar. A truly absorbing book'
* Daily Star *
'Few can deliver the detailsand perspective that Fiaz Rafiq achieves in hsi exhaustive oral history covering all aspects of Schwarzenegger's epic life and career. This is the hard work of a dogged professional journalist'
-- Alex Ben Block (former editor at The Hollywood Reporter)
