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One Helluva Ride
A boy lost in the shadow of his father's legacy.A gifted artist dismissed as just a “TV actor.”A first-time film producer who stunned the world by winning an Oscar at 31.A maverick who changed Hollywood and became a global movie star. Hollywood icon Michael Douglas tells the unfiltered story of his life for the first time.
“I spent a significant portion of my career playing some version of the modern, flawed, American male. You’ll see from these pages that it wasn’t exactly a stretch for me.”
Beginning with his fractured childhood and a complex relationship with his superstar father, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas finally gives the full and uncensored account of a remarkable life. One Helluva Ride reveals incredible behind-the-scenes stories featuring a Who’s Who of Hollywood, many of them never revealed before and some outrageously funny, with an unflinching honesty about his sometimes bad-boy life.
Initially dismissed as just the handsome son of a legendary movie star, at age thirty-one he shook up Hollywood when he won his first Oscar for producing the five-time Academy Award-winning classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Told he would never be more than a “TV actor,” he quit the hit series The Streets of San Francisco to become an international movie star, with a list of classic films that have grossed billions of dollars, winning a second Oscar for his riveting performance as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street.
“I can’t think about my life without thinking of my movies,” Douglas says, and he recounts his career through twelve of his most iconic films, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The China Syndrome, Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, War of the Roses, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, The American President, Traffic and Behind the Candelabra. These movies not only captured the cultural zeitgeist but often defined it. Yet as Douglas's fame grew, so did his personal struggles. He recounts the full, unfiltered story of his turbulent first marriage; infidelity and affairs with some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood; his own serious struggle with alcohol, drugs and rehab; the heartbreaking fight to save his son from an addiction that sent him to prison; and his against-all-odds battle with stage IV cancer.He saw Catherine Zeta Jones on a movie screen and instantly fell for her. Their incredible love story transformed his life and proved all the tabloids wrong, enduring after twenty-five years of marriage. Father, son, husband, actor, producer, brother and friend. This is the real, raw, deeply honest and vulnerable Michael Douglas you didn't know—until now.
“I spent a significant portion of my career playing some version of the modern, flawed, American male. You’ll see from these pages that it wasn’t exactly a stretch for me.”
Beginning with his fractured childhood and a complex relationship with his superstar father, Kirk Douglas, Michael Douglas finally gives the full and uncensored account of a remarkable life. One Helluva Ride reveals incredible behind-the-scenes stories featuring a Who’s Who of Hollywood, many of them never revealed before and some outrageously funny, with an unflinching honesty about his sometimes bad-boy life.
Initially dismissed as just the handsome son of a legendary movie star, at age thirty-one he shook up Hollywood when he won his first Oscar for producing the five-time Academy Award-winning classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Told he would never be more than a “TV actor,” he quit the hit series The Streets of San Francisco to become an international movie star, with a list of classic films that have grossed billions of dollars, winning a second Oscar for his riveting performance as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street.
“I can’t think about my life without thinking of my movies,” Douglas says, and he recounts his career through twelve of his most iconic films, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The China Syndrome, Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, War of the Roses, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, The American President, Traffic and Behind the Candelabra. These movies not only captured the cultural zeitgeist but often defined it. Yet as Douglas's fame grew, so did his personal struggles. He recounts the full, unfiltered story of his turbulent first marriage; infidelity and affairs with some of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood; his own serious struggle with alcohol, drugs and rehab; the heartbreaking fight to save his son from an addiction that sent him to prison; and his against-all-odds battle with stage IV cancer.He saw Catherine Zeta Jones on a movie screen and instantly fell for her. Their incredible love story transformed his life and proved all the tabloids wrong, enduring after twenty-five years of marriage. Father, son, husband, actor, producer, brother and friend. This is the real, raw, deeply honest and vulnerable Michael Douglas you didn't know—until now.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 6, 2026
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Michael Douglas
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 11, 2026
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. Along with being very well written, Douglas was surprisingly honest and open about nearly every aspect of his life. For that matter, despite some of the salacious blurbs suggesting juicy gossip and lurid details about Hollywood…this was not the case. Although Douglas openly discussed his earlier affairs and drug use, it turned out that this was only a smaller part of the overall picture of the man.
In the beginning of his career, Douglas suffered such severe stage fright that he would vomit in a bucket before going in front of an audience. Being the son of a superstar certainly made things all the more difficult for him, as he often felt caught up in the shadow of his famous father. For that matter, in talking to Rob Reiner (whose father was also a mega-star), Douglas noted that the success of second generations actors is "...far from impressive."
Although Douglas included chapters on his various movies, the most interesting one was the very flawed “Jewel of the Nile.” Along with several tragic deaths during the production of the film, Douglas had to contend with 120-degree heat, a poorly written script, an unhappy co-star, and endless problems with the Moroccan government. Ironically, a movie about the making of this film would have been far more interesting than the actual “Jewel of the Nile” itself.
My hat goes off to Douglas for his willingness to honestly share his both his flaws and successes in this autobiography. Although I was always somewhat of a “neutral” fan of Douglas, I was impressed with his book.
In the beginning of his career, Douglas suffered such severe stage fright that he would vomit in a bucket before going in front of an audience. Being the son of a superstar certainly made things all the more difficult for him, as he often felt caught up in the shadow of his famous father. For that matter, in talking to Rob Reiner (whose father was also a mega-star), Douglas noted that the success of second generations actors is "...far from impressive."
Although Douglas included chapters on his various movies, the most interesting one was the very flawed “Jewel of the Nile.” Along with several tragic deaths during the production of the film, Douglas had to contend with 120-degree heat, a poorly written script, an unhappy co-star, and endless problems with the Moroccan government. Ironically, a movie about the making of this film would have been far more interesting than the actual “Jewel of the Nile” itself.
My hat goes off to Douglas for his willingness to honestly share his both his flaws and successes in this autobiography. Although I was always somewhat of a “neutral” fan of Douglas, I was impressed with his book.
October 6, 2026
Michael Douglas has had one helluva a career. In this book, Michael shares the stories behind his famous movies. He is candid about growing up in the business with a famous father, his relationship and family issues, drug use and surviving throat cancer.
Excellent book for those who want an inside story on Hollywood and Michael’s top movies. You get to experience the making of Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, The American President, Traffic and others. My nights are booked for rewatching his movies for a couple of weeks.
Excellent book for those who want an inside story on Hollywood and Michael’s top movies. You get to experience the making of Romancing the Stone, Fatal Attraction, Wall Street, Basic Instinct, Falling Down, The American President, Traffic and others. My nights are booked for rewatching his movies for a couple of weeks.
October 7, 2026
This is THE celebrity memoir - and one of the best nonfiction books of the year, period. I couldn't put this down the day it arrived. Tons of insights into Michael's storied life as a movie star, with plenty of juicy details / reveals. I enjoyed the photos as well. 5 stars, hands down.
October 8, 2026
In the 80s and 90s you couldn't miss Michael Douglas; he was everywhere on the big screen. His movies fell into different categories like thriller, drama and they created conversations. It would be natural for him in telling his story to go behind the scenes of some of those movies. His start into acting began with the outstanding television show The Streets of San Francisco with the fantastic Karl Malden in 1972. At almost 500 pages with color photos this memoir is long and becomes rather tedious. He does credit screenwriter Shane Salerno and writer Michael Fleming Jr. on the inside jacket for assistance in writing the memoir. This memoir confirms why being an actor is most often a high study in narcissism. His father, Kirk, bought the rights to the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in hopes of being the star of the movie. This story is interesting and the movie is iconic. His mother, Diana, sounded like a saint. Douglas's personal escapades involving drugs, booze and sex with numerous women have long been rumored in Hollywood. He confirms much of it here. There's also a rumor his second wife, who he chased, has clipped years off her actual age; there's already a significant age gap between Douglas and her. Zeta-Jones is not planning on reading this memoir; probably a wise move. Thankfully, she has her own career and she seems like her own woman. It would seem Douglas has figured out one thing in his 5 decades here; how to be a present and attentive parent to his younger kids with Jones.
October 8, 2026
Michael Douglas’s One Helluva Ride is a highly entertaining memoir. Not the average memoir but one that reveals the complexities of life in the Douglas clan, living up in the shadow of “Spartacus.” Michael’s relationship with his dad is the core theme of the book. It runs through every chapter as the thread that brings it all together
Michael’s personal life is examined through his films. Douglas revisits productions including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Wall Street, Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. He writes of issues he faced and the successes he enjoyed.
His private life is laid open and bare. Affairs, substance abuse, family issues and cancer. It’s all there and in a raw and sometimes unflattering light. But it’s honest and that’s what makes this book so good. There is a generosity to it. It doesn’t feel like he is holding anything back.
Is it a good read? Yes. It took me 48hours.
One Helluva Ride appears to be an engaging, sometimes uncomfortable portrait of a man who has experienced extraordinary professional success while confronting the personal costs of his choices.
Michael’s personal life is examined through his films. Douglas revisits productions including One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Wall Street, Fatal Attraction and Basic Instinct. He writes of issues he faced and the successes he enjoyed.
His private life is laid open and bare. Affairs, substance abuse, family issues and cancer. It’s all there and in a raw and sometimes unflattering light. But it’s honest and that’s what makes this book so good. There is a generosity to it. It doesn’t feel like he is holding anything back.
Is it a good read? Yes. It took me 48hours.
One Helluva Ride appears to be an engaging, sometimes uncomfortable portrait of a man who has experienced extraordinary professional success while confronting the personal costs of his choices.
October 11, 2026
I have to admit that I didn't watch a ton of his movies back then, and those I did, they were likely on mute to just watch during my slow moments at work. But I will rectify that real soon. I had some interest in this book because of the stories that was coming out of the pipeline, but when listening to this audiobook, I found that him narrating this audiobook almost felt like he was in the room talking to you like he was coming over to your house to play a game of Chess.
In closing, now that I've finished this audiobook, I'm now interested in wanting to see his movies more than ever and maybe with this memoir, I can be able to see these movies with a fresh pair of eyes.
In closing, now that I've finished this audiobook, I'm now interested in wanting to see his movies more than ever and maybe with this memoir, I can be able to see these movies with a fresh pair of eyes.
October 12, 2026
Fast moving, very entertaining, fun to learn the back story of some of my favorite films. Douglas reads the audiobook.
October 15, 2026
One Helluva Ride by Michael Douglas is indeed a wild and charmed life story of both a charasmatic actor and complex man. What makes it captivating to read is that it's the type of career longevity and lifestyle that many people aspire to achieve and a life many wish to have led. Douglas shows himself to be intellectually vital and gives amusing and insightful anectdoes to some of his most popular films in this book.
At 82 years old Michael Douglas has starred in over fifty movies and even if you are a casual follower or a younger viewer a dozen of those movies are likely recognizable titles. Douglas is a voluable individual with many compelling stories to share. At this point in his life he has more days behind him instead of in front and shows a circumspect attitude recounting life episodes. There's an exhaustive inventory of movies for him to hightlight in this memoir and he carefully covers some of the top titles of each decade. So one can read about how The China Syndrome was made and at the same time why nucular disarment was popular during the filming and showcasing the 1970s concerns about atomic energy safety and growing environmental activism. Similarly, his Academy Award for Acting in Wall Street covers his part in the film against the 1980s eerie timing with real world scandals and unbridled deregulation.
Obviously it's always a bonus to have a good relationship with a parent working in the same industry. Nepotism is a favorite topic in current times. Douglas's father, Kirk Douglas looms large in the background of his story and still figured prominently for many years during the peak of Michael's career. It's insightful to hear Michael's own voice regarding their relationship and even though one might get a hand up at the start of one's career it is still up to the individual to work and perserve. This is an admirable body of work that Michael Douglas has made over many decades and inspirational to read even if one is not in the film industry.
At 82 years old Michael Douglas has starred in over fifty movies and even if you are a casual follower or a younger viewer a dozen of those movies are likely recognizable titles. Douglas is a voluable individual with many compelling stories to share. At this point in his life he has more days behind him instead of in front and shows a circumspect attitude recounting life episodes. There's an exhaustive inventory of movies for him to hightlight in this memoir and he carefully covers some of the top titles of each decade. So one can read about how The China Syndrome was made and at the same time why nucular disarment was popular during the filming and showcasing the 1970s concerns about atomic energy safety and growing environmental activism. Similarly, his Academy Award for Acting in Wall Street covers his part in the film against the 1980s eerie timing with real world scandals and unbridled deregulation.
Obviously it's always a bonus to have a good relationship with a parent working in the same industry. Nepotism is a favorite topic in current times. Douglas's father, Kirk Douglas looms large in the background of his story and still figured prominently for many years during the peak of Michael's career. It's insightful to hear Michael's own voice regarding their relationship and even though one might get a hand up at the start of one's career it is still up to the individual to work and perserve. This is an admirable body of work that Michael Douglas has made over many decades and inspirational to read even if one is not in the film industry.
October 14, 2026
For the first time, Hollywood icon Michael Douglas tells his full, unfiltered story — from growing up in the shadow of his legendary father Kirk Douglas, to his early struggles to be taken seriously as an actor, producing the Oscar-winning One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and becoming one of the most recognizable stars of his generation. But this memoir is far more than a career recap: it's a remarkably candid look at the man behind the fame.
Remarkable honesty — Douglas pulls no punches. He writes openly about his cocaine use in the 1970s and '80s, his turbulent first marriage, the affair with Kathleen Turner during Romancing the Stone, and the moment he realised he needed to change. He doesn't excuse his mistakes — he owns them.
Fascinating behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories — the making of Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, and the huge gamble of getting One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest made without his father in the lead — these stories are absorbing and give real insight into the business side of Hollywood.
Deeply moving personal chapters — his battle with stage IV cancer in 2010, and his son Cameron's long struggle with addiction and imprisonment, are written with vulnerability and quiet heartbreak. It's here the celebrity gloss falls away completely.
Raw, funny, self-deprecating, and surprisingly tender, One Helluva Ride lives up to its name. It's the rare celebrity memoir that feels truly unvarnished — Douglas admits he was often "a work in progress," and that humility is what makes the book so compelling. Whether you're a film fan or simply someone who appreciates a life story told with integrity, this is well worth your time.
"Fame can blur the truth; this is my attempt to bring it back into focus." — Michael Douglas
Remarkable honesty — Douglas pulls no punches. He writes openly about his cocaine use in the 1970s and '80s, his turbulent first marriage, the affair with Kathleen Turner during Romancing the Stone, and the moment he realised he needed to change. He doesn't excuse his mistakes — he owns them.
Fascinating behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories — the making of Wall Street, Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, and the huge gamble of getting One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest made without his father in the lead — these stories are absorbing and give real insight into the business side of Hollywood.
Deeply moving personal chapters — his battle with stage IV cancer in 2010, and his son Cameron's long struggle with addiction and imprisonment, are written with vulnerability and quiet heartbreak. It's here the celebrity gloss falls away completely.
Raw, funny, self-deprecating, and surprisingly tender, One Helluva Ride lives up to its name. It's the rare celebrity memoir that feels truly unvarnished — Douglas admits he was often "a work in progress," and that humility is what makes the book so compelling. Whether you're a film fan or simply someone who appreciates a life story told with integrity, this is well worth your time.
"Fame can blur the truth; this is my attempt to bring it back into focus." — Michael Douglas
October 10, 2026
I enjoyed learning more about his life growing up as the son of Kirk Douglas. He talked a lot about being on movie sets with his dad and learning from them. His parents did get divorced, but he claims his stepparents were very supportive of him and his stepdad became a positive father figure for him. Michael was very open about all of his relationships, his two marriages, and all of his kids. Even his throat cancer diagnosis is mentioned. There is a whole chapter for Catherine Zeta-Jones as well as Fatherhood, as he talked about his kids’ struggles and accomplishments.
It's neat to know that some of his friends from the younger days, are still his friends: Danny DeVito, Pat Riley, Jann Wenner. I loved the story of how he was celebrating winning an award, and George Harrison and Bob Dylan and a large dog joined him in his hotel room.
It was a bit too much detail on the following shows and movies, but it was also interesting to see how it works being a producer, writer, and actor. How the movies came to be along with the cast, and lots of stories from the trenches.
The Streets of San Francisco
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
The China Syndrome
Romancing The Stone
The Jewel Of The Nile
Fatal Attraction
Wall Street
The War Of The Roses
Basic Instinct
Falling Down
The American President
Traffic
Behind The Candelabra
It's neat to know that some of his friends from the younger days, are still his friends: Danny DeVito, Pat Riley, Jann Wenner. I loved the story of how he was celebrating winning an award, and George Harrison and Bob Dylan and a large dog joined him in his hotel room.
It was a bit too much detail on the following shows and movies, but it was also interesting to see how it works being a producer, writer, and actor. How the movies came to be along with the cast, and lots of stories from the trenches.
The Streets of San Francisco
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest
The China Syndrome
Romancing The Stone
The Jewel Of The Nile
Fatal Attraction
Wall Street
The War Of The Roses
Basic Instinct
Falling Down
The American President
Traffic
Behind The Candelabra
October 12, 2026
First book since To Kill a mockingbird that I read in 24 hours
Loved every word. Being a fan of all the movies he was in it amazed me how hard it was to make those movies. His cancer journey his love for his kids especially Cameron through his tough times is something I never had. Never met my father, but I two had a replacement with a man that did not have to be my dad but did. I am seventy one and this book it the best I have read in 50 years. I wish I could give it 10 stars. I read it in 24 hours.
Maybe because I grew up watching his movies and tv shows it was a thrill to read how they were made and how hard it was he made it seem so easy. There were a few I have not seen. I am going to find them online or buy the DVD of them. I don't want to miss a one.
If you read nothing else this year get this book. I could not put it down. His honesty about his mistakes and relationships is so refreshing. So proud of his son Cameron his book will be next. He turned his life around. I have the same issues with someone in my family .
Thank you Mr. Douglas for taking me on this adventure. I have always thought about writing a book about my life. I am not famous but I have had a life people can learn from and learn what not to do like you.
Loved every word. Being a fan of all the movies he was in it amazed me how hard it was to make those movies. His cancer journey his love for his kids especially Cameron through his tough times is something I never had. Never met my father, but I two had a replacement with a man that did not have to be my dad but did. I am seventy one and this book it the best I have read in 50 years. I wish I could give it 10 stars. I read it in 24 hours.
Maybe because I grew up watching his movies and tv shows it was a thrill to read how they were made and how hard it was he made it seem so easy. There were a few I have not seen. I am going to find them online or buy the DVD of them. I don't want to miss a one.
If you read nothing else this year get this book. I could not put it down. His honesty about his mistakes and relationships is so refreshing. So proud of his son Cameron his book will be next. He turned his life around. I have the same issues with someone in my family .
Thank you Mr. Douglas for taking me on this adventure. I have always thought about writing a book about my life. I am not famous but I have had a life people can learn from and learn what not to do like you.
October 13, 2026
Entertaining and well written (should be, with two other credited writers) autobiography by Michael Douglas. He reviews his entire life from childhood up to about 2013; the last 13 years, admittedly with little of public note, are briefly touched on in a few sentences. There are interesting stories of his career as an actor and as a producer, his love life, his star-crossed first marriage, and his challenging relationship with his famous father Kirk Douglas.
As with any autobiography, there are blind spots. His career is almost completely discussed in terms of his successful films; we read little of the flops. He is quite candid about his decades of drug and alcohol use, but there are almost no negative consequences to this noted; in fact, it’s almost said it’s the reason he was so productive and successful in the 70s and 80s. Even his stint in rehab comes across as 30 days in & done, easy-peasy; no tales of withdrawal or difficulties facing life without a constant supply of cocaine.
All that being said, if you have an interest in Douglas, or the film business from the 70s through the 90s, I definitely recommend this book.
As with any autobiography, there are blind spots. His career is almost completely discussed in terms of his successful films; we read little of the flops. He is quite candid about his decades of drug and alcohol use, but there are almost no negative consequences to this noted; in fact, it’s almost said it’s the reason he was so productive and successful in the 70s and 80s. Even his stint in rehab comes across as 30 days in & done, easy-peasy; no tales of withdrawal or difficulties facing life without a constant supply of cocaine.
All that being said, if you have an interest in Douglas, or the film business from the 70s through the 90s, I definitely recommend this book.
October 11, 2026
This is generally what you want in a memoir from a Hollywood celebrity. There is plenty of detail about less than savory behavior, many admissions of failure, and plenty of gloating about success.
While Michael Douglas has had a good career by most standards, it is also fair to say he doesn't rank among the elite of his profession. When you think about his best work... The China Syndrome and Romancing the Stone, to name a couple... you're apt to think more of the actors around him than him. His greatest individual success in Wall Street is tied almost exclusively to a single brilliant speech that still gets quoted to this day.
But give him his due... he has been a dependable presence, and he knows how to tell his story.
Douglas is unflinching about talking about the bad as well as the good in his life. This book is well-written and entertaining and you will speed through it and not regret a moment.
While Michael Douglas has had a good career by most standards, it is also fair to say he doesn't rank among the elite of his profession. When you think about his best work... The China Syndrome and Romancing the Stone, to name a couple... you're apt to think more of the actors around him than him. His greatest individual success in Wall Street is tied almost exclusively to a single brilliant speech that still gets quoted to this day.
But give him his due... he has been a dependable presence, and he knows how to tell his story.
Douglas is unflinching about talking about the bad as well as the good in his life. This book is well-written and entertaining and you will speed through it and not regret a moment.
October 10, 2026
Two glaring omissions in an otherwise intimate and thoughtful memoir.....not one word about Cameron's marriage, wife, divorce? She was his daughter in law and the mother of his only grandchildren...? Nothing? Also, Catherine's struggle with bipolar disorder which coincided with their separation....I can see if he left most of it out but...something? Anything? Many people are in hell trying to have relationships with people with this disease, and I looked forward to his take on it. But still gotta be 5/stars for an excellent, rollicking, riveting read. I loved the details about movie making, complete with financial stuff that other books of this type leave out. Couldn't put it down, the cowriters did great job
October 15, 2026
Michael Douglas’s One Helluva Ride is a masterclass in stepping out from a giant shadow to carve one's own legacy. Many people only remember the Hollywood royalty and the awards, but his real story is about taking enormous risks when nobody took him seriously as anything more than a television face. Producing One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at 31 and walking away from a comfortable TV role took serious nerve.
At nearly 500 pages, it is a detailed, unfiltered look at the cost of ambition—the private family battles, the setbacks, and the resilience it takes to rebuild life after heavy hits. An authentic memoir isn't just about triumphs; it's about owning the scars and navigating the highway on your own terms. A compelling read on perseverance and survival in a high-stakes world.
At nearly 500 pages, it is a detailed, unfiltered look at the cost of ambition—the private family battles, the setbacks, and the resilience it takes to rebuild life after heavy hits. An authentic memoir isn't just about triumphs; it's about owning the scars and navigating the highway on your own terms. A compelling read on perseverance and survival in a high-stakes world.
October 10, 2026
I love how he focuses so much on his movies and how they were made, it's really interesting to see how it all went down behind the scenes. Michael has been in some of the best movies of all time in my opinion. It was also very interesting to see how everything wasn't just handed to him in the business, despite being the son of Kirk Douglas. I really miss this time in Hollywood, when they actually did great movies. Michael even says it himself that today it's so much focus on superheros and there's billionaire investors behind those types of movies. Things were different back in the 70s, 80s and 90s and it makes me feel nostalgic for a time I wasn't even a part of. Overall just such a fun read 💗
October 15, 2026
Ah Michael. This was an interesting read. I listened on audible. Did not know a lot about this family except for all the movies that he was in. He was a rough dude, drugs, women…. Hollywood lifestyle. He wanted to be a good dad, son, brother, husband but the pull of being famous was just too much for him. I wondered why he sounded like he was drunk or had a stroke the whole way through the book. Finally the last couple of chapters he told about his battle with tongue cancer. He did let us in on lots of family secrets. Thanks for sharing Mr Douglas. May you live longer than your famous father.
October 15, 2026
I've seen Romancing the Stone more times than I can count, so it didn't take much for me to shell out $17 for the Kindle edition. I was immediately pulled in and couldn't put it down. It was a smart decision to base chapters around his twelve biggest hits, so a reader can easily jump around. Of course I started with the RTS chapter, but I enjoyed all the others, too.
This is a juicy insider's view of Hollywood. I like the fact that he wasn't afraid to write about some big names that he doesn't like, and that he wasn't shy with praise for others. It got a little repetitive in parts, but not so much that I stopped reading for long.
This is a good celeb memoir. I definitely recommend it.
This is a juicy insider's view of Hollywood. I like the fact that he wasn't afraid to write about some big names that he doesn't like, and that he wasn't shy with praise for others. It got a little repetitive in parts, but not so much that I stopped reading for long.
This is a good celeb memoir. I definitely recommend it.
October 13, 2026
One Helluva Book!
I typically don't like to read biographies but I since Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors, I wanted to give it a shot. I am glad I did because this book was great. It is well written and interesting. I read it in 2 days. I love all of the behind-the-scenes information he gives about his movies along with his personal struggles with family and cancer. He is very honest about drugs, infidelity, and his kids. I enjoyed re-watching some of my favorite movies as I was reading the book.
I typically don't like to read biographies but I since Michael Douglas is one of my favorite actors, I wanted to give it a shot. I am glad I did because this book was great. It is well written and interesting. I read it in 2 days. I love all of the behind-the-scenes information he gives about his movies along with his personal struggles with family and cancer. He is very honest about drugs, infidelity, and his kids. I enjoyed re-watching some of my favorite movies as I was reading the book.
October 15, 2026
Well, after deleting my account (and some really good reviews if I do say so myself), I'm back because I've read some great books in the past six months. And this is one of them! You think you know someone....
Michael Douglas really has had one helluva ride and it is a treat that he takes us along. I couldn't put it down and read it in two nights. He's quite blunt about what he's been through and what he has done but all of it is very entertaining. I wish him well with his health too.
Michael Douglas really has had one helluva ride and it is a treat that he takes us along. I couldn't put it down and read it in two nights. He's quite blunt about what he's been through and what he has done but all of it is very entertaining. I wish him well with his health too.
October 12, 2026
Fast read. He is super charming, which makes him likable despite the fact that he's really mostly been an ass. Lots and lots of women, some pretty young, drugs, ignoring his first family. He's also mostly played an ass (and shown it lol) in his movies, many of which were not kind to women or animals.
October 14, 2026
I enjoyed reading "One Helluva Ride", Michael Douglas' autobiography. Always enjoyed his interviews even the odder ones that he did when Whoopi Goldberg had a short-lived talk show. I would say that the TCM interview is probably the best of the group, and when I heard that Mr. D. was writing an autobiography I was confident that it would be a good one - and it is.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
October 12, 2026
An open, honest and informative memoir. So well written and Michael Douglas gives a lot of info about his movies, his upbringing and his personal life. Such a captivating read I couldn’t put it down.
October 14, 2026
Entertaining but a very slow start with a bit more detail than a casual reader like me needs. If you are a fan, you will love it. I was fairly indifferent going into it and liked it overall, but I sped the audio up to 2.55% to keep it moving at a good pace for me.
October 10, 2026
Interesting. Informative.
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October 11, 2026On audio
October 12, 2026
could not put it down
Loved this book. Historic and heartfelt . Great great read. It's so well written and serves as a outline of what the 60's and beyond felt like
Loved this book. Historic and heartfelt . Great great read. It's so well written and serves as a outline of what the 60's and beyond felt like
October 12, 2026
Listened to the audiobook -
October 12, 2026
DNF for me after first couple chapters not for me. Returned the audiobook.
October 13, 2026
Wow. Absolutely loved it.
Will be in my Top 10 at year's end. Not just another celeb memoir. No holds barred, with equal parts humor and humility. Great all around.
Will be in my Top 10 at year's end. Not just another celeb memoir. No holds barred, with equal parts humor and humility. Great all around.
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