The product of a self-imposed desert exile with his exhaustive collection of personal journals, Matthew McConaughey's nontraditional memoir offers a series of philosophical reflections of his first 50 years and of life itself. It's written in an episodic style replete with poems, prescriptions, and four-letter words. McConaughey's performance is a tour-de-force one-man show. Varying his tone, volume, and perceived distance from the microphone, he creates an audiobook that is much like an experimental film whose theme is that the writer/narrator, as well as all of us, are spiritual beings having a human experience while looking for the green lights along the path. Dark at moments, the eccentric McConaughey charms and enchants with his Texas twang. At its conclusion, McConaughey reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2021
Duration: 6 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9780593294185
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
An entertaining memoir by a true all-American of popular culture.
Bradshaw's football career ended in the 1980s, and these days he's probably most widely known for his ubiquitous cultural presence in movies, commercials, and reality television. Bradshaw takes a long and detailed look back at his consequential life decisions. He's a gifted narrator and storyteller, the kind of guy who can instantly build rapport with his audience. It's no surprise this audiobook is entertaining and occasionally moving. As Bradshaw reflects on the characters he's played over the years, essentially simple variations of himself, his voice reflects a self-effacing humility. Bradshaw has been able to build his extended second career with this warm approachability.
An entertaining memoir by a true all-American of popular culture.Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
Duration: 7 hrs, 51 mins
DD ISBN: 9781400260294
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 22, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2026
A must-listen, especially for anyone who enjoys film, television, and the creative process.
Listeners will find a subtle combination of candor and discretion in this career-spanning memoir. Actor and producer Douglas faces the shadow of his father, Kirk Douglas, head-on. His narration is intimate and charming, and he warmly exhibits his skills as a fine actor, first entertaining, then informing. Parts of the performance sound like Douglas’ speech has been affected by his mouth cancer, which is now in remission. However, most sections are articulated clearly. Behind-the-scenes Hollywood insights abound, and it’s all here, including his partnership with his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Ultimately, we find a family man who had both abundant luck and talent.
A must-listen, especially for anyone who enjoys film, television, and the creative process.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 19 hrs, 16 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668658505
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 19, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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