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

Halperin, Ian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0061990043 ISBN 13: 9780061990045

Publisher: William Morrow, 2010

Synopsis

From his childhood in Austria to his rise as a star of American conservative politics, the story of Arnold Schwarzenegger's life reads like the script of a Hollywood B movie penned by Horatio Alger. In this chatty and engaging biography, scoop hunter Ian Halperin sifts through the myths and rumors to discover the real Arnold behind the icon, a man defined by unbridled ambition and an unending quest for power. Based on intensive research and candid interviews with many who know the man best, Halperin paints a candid, true-life portrait of this remarkable man. Going undercover in Austria, he takes a soul-searching journey through Schwarzenegger's past to explore his relationship with his abusive father and his feelings toward the Nazi Party. Halperin also infiltrates the exclusive world of bodybuilding and Schwarzenegger's early steroid use. He also addresses Arnold's reputation as a womaniser, including his alleged affairs and public accusations of sexual harassment, behaviour that earned the star the nickname 'the Groper'. Here, too, is an in-depth look at his marriage and family - including his wife, Maria Shriver's extremely secret and very serious illness - and his uncertain future. Halperin offers a serious analysis of Schwarzenegger's political career, revealing him to be an extraordinarily effective governor whose accomplishments, especially in environmental initiatives, have been overshadowed by a devastating fiscal crisis that threatens to tarnish his legacy. And he probes the depth of Schwarzenegger's commitment to the Republic brand vis-a-vis his attachment to the most famous Democratic family in America, the Kennedys. Filled with judicious research and a wealth of shocking headline-making revelations, "The Governator" is sure to be this bestselling investigative journalist's biggest hit yet.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Who is the real Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Investigative journalist and number one New York Times bestselling author Ian Halperin reveals the true and untold story about this larger-than-life and often outrageous figure

From his childhood in Austria to his rise as a star ofAmerican conservative politics, the story of ArnoldSchwarzenegger’s life reads like the script of a HollywoodB-movie penned by Horatio Alger. In this exclusivepeek behind the curtain, award-winning scoop hunterIan Halperin wades through the myths and rumors todiscover the real Arnold behind the icon, a man definedby unbridled ambition and an unending quest for power.

Based on extensive research, undercover forays, andcandid interviews with many of the Terminator’s closefriends and peers, Halperin brings the myth to life with:

• a riveting journey through Schwarzenegger’s pastto explore his relationship with his abusive father andhis feelings toward the Nazi party.
• insights into the shadowy world of bodybuildingand Schwarzenegger’s early steroid use.
• an investigation of Schwarzenegger’s reputation asa bully and a womanizer, including his alleged affairs and public accusations of sexual harassment—behavior that earned him the nickname “the Groper.”
• an in-depth look at his long-standing fascination withthe Kennedys and his remarkably seamless assimilation into his wife’s fabled family.
• a detailed look into Maria’s startling weight loss.
• an analysis of Schwarzenegger’s political career,revealing him to be a surprisingly effective and talentedgovernor.
• the behind-the-scenes machinations of the Kennedyfamily to influence Schwarzenegger’s political agenda.

And finally Halperin uncovers the never-before-told details of an incredible and audacious plan for Schwarzenegger to attempt to rewrite the Constitution and run for president of the United States.

About the Author:

Ian Halperin is the author of ten books, including the New York Times bestsellers Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson and Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain. Specializing in undercover investigations, he has contributed to 60 Minutes II, the CBC's Fifth Estate, the Daily Mail, Court TV, and E!. Halperin is also an acclaimed documentary filmmaker and a former co-winner of Rolling Stone magazine's College Journalism Award. He has given talks about Hollywood and the music industry as a keynote speaker at many colleges and universities. His blog, ianundercover.com, is one of the world's leading websites about pop culture.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0061990043
• ISBN 13: 9780061990045
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352