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Greenlights

Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights

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21min

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A series of greenlights can feel great, it makes us feel safe and lucky. Matthew McConnaughey, the eternal optimist, has always considered himself a lucky man, the lead in a downhill race, along a long, open road, full of greenlights. From his childhood in a loving, and slightly unconventional family, to his career as an actor and the birth of his children, McConaughey has always tried to live according to his principles, striving to become a better version of himself every day. His book, Greenlights, is the tale of the reds and oranges that, sooner or later, turn green.

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Analysis and key concepts

01.

The McConaugheys: an unusual family, yet very close and loving

02.

Jim McConaughey and his rites of passage: a wrestling match to prove your worth

03.

The family moved to Uvalde in Longview, to follow the petrol boom

04.

The title “handsomest boy in school” brings the case against mink oil to a close

05.

The last year of high school and a trip to Australia to find his place in the world

06.

The college years: from law school to film school

07.

A meeting with Don Phillips and the start of his acting career

08.

A new life with agents, houses on the beach and acting lessons

09.

A Time to Kill made him famous around the world

10.

On the trail of a dream along the Amazon River and in a caravan across America: a three year adventure

11.

A dragon hunter travelling to Africa: another dream after shooting Rain of Fire takes McConaughey to Mali

12.

Meeting Camila and realising his biggest dream of all: becoming a father

13.

A life of “green lights”: having the road laid out before you is not only a matter of luck, but also depends on what you do with it, as well as your willpower

14.

Quotes

15.

Take-home message

01. The McConaugheys: an unusual family, yet very close and loving

Matthew McConaughey was born in 1969 in Uvalde, Texas. His father, James Donald McConaughey, known as Jim, was a retired professional American footballer, who first worked as a manager at a petrol station, then as a pipe hauler, then as a pipe salesman for a company called Gensco. He was of Irish origin, but born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana; his mother, Mary Kathleen McCabe, or Katy, was a simple, devout woman from Pennsylvania. Over the years, they were married three times and divorced twice – to each other! An unusual family, they didn’t always like each other, but they always loved each other. They would hug and kiss, wrestle, and fight, but they never held a grudge. Punishments were old school, and the kids were often disciplined to teach them values. The McConaughey children, Matthew and his two older brothers, Michael (who everyone called Rooster) and Pat (who was adopted) were expected to follow the rules and if they didn’t, they had to make sure that they didn’t get caught! This was a sort of “outlaw” mentality, in which punishment was used to teach them not to waste their time and to learn from their mistakes.

02. Jim McConaughey and his rites of passage: a wrestling match to prove your worth

03. The family moved to Uvalde in Longview, to follow the petrol boom

04. The title “handsomest boy in school” brings the case against mink oil to a close

05. The last year of high school and a trip to Australia to find his place in the world

06. The college years: from law school to film school

07. A meeting with Don Phillips and the start of his acting career

08. A new life with agents, houses on the beach and acting lessons

09. A Time to Kill made him famous around the world

10. On the trail of a dream along the Amazon River and in a caravan across America: a three year adventure

11. A dragon hunter travelling to Africa: another dream after shooting Rain of Fire takes McConaughey to Mali

12. Meeting Camila and realising his biggest dream of all: becoming a father

13. A life of “green lights”: having the road laid out before you is not only a matter of luck, but also depends on what you do with it, as well as your willpower

14. Quotes

15. Take-home message

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Many useful tips to:

  • Enjoy a few anecdotes about the professional and family life of Matthew McConaughey.
  • Learn about his relationship with success and the world of show business.
  • Find some interesting ideas to help motivate you to change and follow your heart.

Matthew McConaughey is a world famous American actor, producer, cinematographer, and university professor. He started out playing small roles, until fame came knocking in 1996 for his role in the film A Time to Kill, by Joel Schumacher, in which he acted alongside Sandra Bullock and Samuel L. Jackson. At first, he played dozens of roles in romantic comedies, then he moved to other genres. With his wife Camila, McConaughey founded the j.k. livin (Just keep) Foundation, which offers after school fitness and wellness programs for inner city high schools to help empower young, disadvantaged children to make healthy choices for a better future. His autobiography, Greenlights, is his first book.

Publishing house:

Crown

Year:

2020

Pages:

304

ISBN:

978-1472283535