The Governator: From Muscle Beach to His Quest for the White House, the Improbable Rise of Arnold Schwarzenegger

by Ian Halperin

From Muscle Beach to Hollywood superstar to The Governator —Ian Halperin, investigative journalist and # 1 New York Times bestselling author, reveals the untold story about the outsized and often outrageous Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former Austrian bodybuilding icon turned movie action hero turned governor of California is portrayed in all his larger-than-life glory in The Governator, an intimate biography that masterfully chronicles the twists and turns of Schwartzenegger’s amazing true-life Horatio Alger story.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Ian Halperin is a Canadian investigative journalist and writer whose 2009 book, Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson, which was a number one best seller on the New York Times list on July 24, 2009. He is the author or coauthor of nine books, including Celine Dion: Behind the Fairytale, Fire and Rain: The James Taylor Story and Hollywood Undercover. He coauthored Who Killed Kurt Cobain? and Love and Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain with Max Wallace. Halperin has contributed to 60 Minutes II and is a regular correspondent for Court TV.

Reviews

[Danice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book I will trust as a reference.

[Shawn Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although now dated, this excoriating biography of Schwarzenegger only goes to prove that this man of iron, after all the scandals is really, truly made of Teflon.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book! The author's a little hung up on himself and the content is pretty much all hearsay but it sure does paint an interesting picture for what its worth. I find it very odd to read a biography of someone who's still alive that's not an autobiography or memoir.

[Ken Hamner · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the book was certainly interesting in sections, it appears the author really wanted to focus on the more tabloid aspects of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s life.

[Ietrio · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is crap, clickbait-y at least. And it starts with the title. Arnold did start in Austria, not on Muscle Beach. And he could not go for the White House as one has to be born American to run for that office. Even a moron like Halperin knows that, after the Obama birth certificate hoax. And no, the path is not improbable. Improbable would be for Halperin. Arnold has worked all his life to go higher.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5*

Author makes too many references to Wendy Leigh's book. Claims to have gone undercover and unnoticed by Franco Columbo and Lou Ferrigno. Also claims to have gotten on a movie set with Leonardo DiCaprio and filmed scenes that were "cut". But, thoroughly entertaining, some stories were 100% legitimate, but as a whole it's tough to say.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting expose of sorts about Arnold Schwarzengger and his rise from Austria to Governor of California. The book aims to find the truth about a man America has come to love. An enjoyable read with interesting facts. My only wish is that it were an official authorized biography.

[T.J. Millar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awhnuld

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dont really like the writer of this book as he seems more bent on trying to expose the bad side of arnold. That being said, i gave the book 5 stars solely on the fact that it is about arnold schwartzenegger! He is an amazing man and his story (no matter how it is told) is just as amazing. If you look underneath all of the macho stuff and all that you will see that he is an extremely driven person, he wants something, he makes a goal to get it, then he puts 110% into it until he gets it! Whatever he sets his mind to he achieves. Everything he has strived for he has reached the top of. He wanted to be the best bodybuilder, he was. He wanted to be a movie star, he was (im not saying he was an amazing actor but he certainly was one of the best action heroes of my generation) he wanted to go into politics, he did. All in all, no matter how you look at it, this is an amazing man who has accomplished more in his life three times over than about 99% of the world.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Halperin bills himself as an "undercover journalist", which is an oxymoron since journalists are supposed to report facts and "undercover" requires the subject to lie about the motives for his questioning.

In any event, this is a slanted piece of writing more suitable to the tabloids from whence sprung the author. Read at your own risk

[Phillip Topping · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the background of Arnie and how driven he is and determined to not be 2nd best in no matter what he does.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A closer examination of a boy from Austria who conquered his dreams of Mr. Olympia, Hollywood glory and political aspirations