REVIEW OF MCCONAUGHEY’S GREEN LIGHTS: A Candid and Inspirational Memoir to Spiritual and Personal Discovery

by Charles A. Johnson

Matthew McConaughey's Greenlights is a candid, illuminating diary loaded up with entertaining tales, ardent reflection, a huge load of bandit rationale, verse, and not a trace of ego. McConaughey writes like he's revealing to us these accounts by an open-air fire. This story will cause you to feel like you've recently gotten comfortable for a long talk with an old companion who leaves you having a feeling that you've gone through the day with a scholar of life unscripted. I was overwhelmed with the man behind the screen and what made him into who he is today. I loved that his memoir wasn’t his considerations, experiences, stories, all are crude, spiced with humor and self-incongruity. He is enchanting, interesting, smart, honest, a bit crazy and direct. He discusses a great deal of things in his day to day existence and his family, about his undertakings and somewhat about his films as well.
A green light is an assertion, setting yourself up for progress," he says. "A greenlight can be as basic as placing your espresso in the espresso machine before you head to sleep so tomorrow first thing all you must do is press the catch." Through greenlights, individuals set themselves for simplicity and success later on, he says. At times greenlights come through choices we make, now and again they're offered to us.
The manner in which McConaughey expounds on his family in the book feels fierce, and yet, loaded with adoration.

19 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2020

About the author

Charles A. Johnson is the younger of two children born to an Alabama-oriented family.

While growing up, Charles displayed incredible cognitive abilities beyond his years and proved his intellect had grown so much when his second-grade teacher had him promoted to third grade early in the elementary-school year.

Charles also has a talent for writing, and started professionally when he learned of BooksByBookends. Using their business (which has moved to several points in the Tri-State Area until it settled down in Brooklyn), he has published the "Princess Luanne and Wizard Heatheria" series.

The main characters in Charles’s book series—Princess Luanne and Heatheria Winchester (he decided on the names while playing with several large action figures)—reflect Charles’s personality in a way, as both he and they wanted changes in their lives.

Reviews

[Wella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely opt for the audio version!

[Will Port · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife and I both read this book, taking turns. She found the book a little crude and direct in places, but loved the rawness. I couldn’t put this book down and read 90 pages the first morning I picked it up. Of course it is a memoirs, but it reads like a novel with the main character talking right to you. Did I gain new earth shattering ideas, I don’t think, but man I absolutely loved this book. I strongly recommend it.

[Karen Stefanski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insights into McConaughey's life. He believes that the ends justify the means if you can get away with it. This contradicts his more recent conversion to being a religious conservative. It was interesting to read how he went on long trips to "find" himself. I think the final take I got from this book was that you need to explore what you want to get out of life and go for it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this!

[Carolyn]

I didn't read this, I read the actual book, but it does not appear when searching and I needed to add something to be a placeholder for the Reading Challenge. (McConnaughey's narration of his book on Audible is entertaining -- not the greatest literature, but it was interesting to hear about his background and positive approach to life and openness to possibility.)

[Claudette Pinske · Rating 4 out of 5]

The guy is definitely self aware. I enjoyed this well written, funny, real and deliberate approach to life that  Mcconaughey offers in these pages.  He drills down on personal accountability while dissecting his recipe for success (green lights). Yes the man has luck ...alot of it,  but he knows how to grasp and  use his opportunities while he continuously strives/ struggles to keep himself in check within the privileges of his life. This is worth a read. There are many take aways.  

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting background, complex person.

[Melissa Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved all of it!!!

[Tom Priddis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this book expecting another ‘how to be a man’s man’ kind of book but it turned out to be much deeper and more poignant than I had anticipated.

[Margaret Kreiner]

This was one of the BEST books I ever purchased. I did purchase the Audible version and would recommend that version as hearing Matthew Mcconaughey narrative adds so, so much more to the book. It was such a surprise! So real and honest (as if you read/listen and realize no man would talk about some of these things if not honest and truthful). I do so hope there is more to come from him. I would recommend this to all. If you think about it as you read/listen it really can change how you look at things. Never enjoyed a book as much as this one and will read/listen to it again. For sure.

[Jeanne Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun to hear Matthew read his memoir. Its funny and a little raunchy at times, he is much deeper than I would have thought before reading this.

[Ricky Gallart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring, motivational, insightful, entertaining.

[Julie V Widman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this while driving . It’s awesome. I was rewinding and listening again.

[Abby Rank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love him so much! His stories are funny. I will definitely be listening again just to hear his voice 😂

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a bad habit of buying a memoir I want to read, then when realizing when it’s “read by author” on audible.. listening and referring to the book solely for the pictures. I found this book delightful and real. I laughed out loud several times, learned things and was oddly amazed at how weirdly brilliant he is. My favorite parts are the “NOTE TO SELF!” Where I smiled every time a life lesson was acknowledged and footnote added to the memory file. Listened with my boyfriend who laughed along and was also shocked at the depth of odd brilliance shown in a easy to listen to Texas draw.

[Tina Hinchman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this on Audiobook. I think it’s the perfect book for that. I enjoyed it. It’s entertaining, kept my interest.. made me laugh... made me contemplate in a few places. Light. I rate it a 3 only because it’s content may not be substantive enough for some. I found a few good lessons / reminders. If you remember it’s an autobiography and keep it in that context, quite interesting! Also narrated by Mathew so that’s all the better :-)

[Karin Schmaltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this book however, I audio listened to this book which was fun since he narrates the book. I couldn't however get into the book so I didn't finish it. I think it was a little too memoirish for me. He would do poems etc and that may have been helpful to have a solid book for to follow along.

[Cory Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Alright, Alright, Alright". I listened to the audiobook version. There were interesting stories and I was impressed with how Mcconaughey really went after his goals. This book was full of a lot of machismo and came across a little self-centered at times, but what else would you expect from a Mcconaughey memoir.

[Sharon Elaine]

It was a fantastic book, it was honest, funny, raw, and a brilliant story. He tells writes in away that keeps your attention and the things he says stick with you, long after you've read the book. A must read, you won't be able to put it down.

[Simone]

Interesting book..loved some of his stories. A great ‘yarn-teller’? Yes, he is, most definitely!
A potential Texas Mayor (as reported in the news this week)...I don’t think so. He’s a little on the odd side.
But, then again 😊

[Eves Helton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It made me laugh out loud numerous times! I love a book that gets wordy and has tangents occasionally but he did it so often it became somewhat annoying at times. Which is why I am only giving it 3 stars.

[Andrea Crouch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Green lights was interesting- though not my favorite. Matthew has an incredible voice and I appreciated his narration. The book was much too vulgar for my taste. He has led a unique life and has a unique perspective.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprato questo libro sotto consiglio e senza alcuna aspettativa, credendo di leggere una banale biografia di un attore. Tuttavia mi son dovuto ricredere: la storia scorre bene ed è possibile notare la crescita personale dell artista sotto il punto di vista umano e professionale.

[Farbod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book with great storytelling method witch don’t let you to put it down. I know it is a biography but It has been written just like a novel which you can imagine yourself living that life.can’t help reading it for the second time. Strongly recommend it👌👌

[Tod · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I have listened to. McConaughey does an amazing job of reading the text of his own biography. A must read in my book list. I will read this again. The stories are engaging with a lot of life lessons.

[Shannon Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to MM read his book. I like him.

[Erik Burke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gift of gab.
Enjoyable and thought provoking.
Very interesting.

[Rav D]

Simple and easy to follow (actually I listened) but is worth the time.

[Kim Rasmussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved listening to the audio version with the Matthew telling his story. Laughed out loud at times.