Table of Contents
Book Review
Will by Will Smith (with Mark Manson) is a candid and introspective memoir chronicling the life of the iconic actor, rapper, and producer. The book traces Smith’s path from a complex childhood in Philadelphia to global superstardom, exploring the personal and professional lessons he learned along the way.
Known to many as The Fresh Prince, Will Smith opens up about his upbringing in a loving yet turbulent household. His father, a strict and at times abusive figure, instilled in him a relentless work ethic that became the foundation of his success. Smith reflects on his early passion for music, his rise to fame alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, and their historic Grammy win for “Parents Just Don’t Understand”—a win they famously protested due to the rap category being excluded from the televised ceremony.
A pivotal section of the memoir centers around The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the show that launched Smith into the mainstream. He recounts the serendipitous meeting with Benny Medina at the Arsenio Hall Show and the impromptu audition at Quincy Jones’s birthday party—an event that changed the trajectory of his life. Smith also offers behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections on the show’s impact.
The transition from television to film features prominently, with Smith detailing his experiences in blockbusters like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Ali. These chapters provide a revealing look at Hollywood, fame, and the intensity required to remain at the top.
However, the memoir doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. Smith writes openly about his personal struggles, particularly in his relationships. His pattern of jumping quickly from one partner to another—citing women like Tanya, Sheree, and Jada Pinkett Smith—highlights unresolved emotional challenges. While he attempts to take accountability, some readers may find his reflections lacking depth or sensitivity, especially regarding how he treated women.
One of the book’s recurring tensions is Smith’s ego. Despite disclaimers that he’s “not flexing,” he frequently highlights statistics, awards, and claims to being the biggest movie or rap star in the world. At times, the tone can feel self-congratulatory rather than humble or self-aware. One particularly jarring moment involves him contemplating pushing his ailing father down the stairs, believing his acting skills could help him avoid suspicion—a story meant to convey inner turmoil, but one that might alienate some readers.
Smith’s later-life spiritual exploration through Vipassana meditation and ayahuasca ceremonies brings a reflective, philosophical layer to the memoir. He describes encounters with a nurturing presence called “Mother,” mirroring common reports from psychedelic experiences and suggesting a search for deeper meaning beyond fame.
In the end, Will reads as both a celebration of success and a reckoning with its cost. It’s a story of ambition, reinvention, ego, and growth—a classic tale of transformation from humble beginnings to global icon.
Book Review
- Will by Will Smith, co-written with Mark Manson, is an introspective memoir that chronicles the life of the renowned actor, musician, and producer. The book delves into Smith’s personal journey, tracing his rise to stardom, the challenges he’s faced, and the lessons he’s learned along the way.
- Will Smith, also known as The Fresh Prince, Williard, or Big Willy, often shares stories about his childhood in Philadelphia. He describes growing up in a loving yet challenging environment. His father was strict and sometimes abusive, but Will credits him with instilling a strong work ethic that helped him excel and outperform his peers.
- He details his early passion for music, which led to his initial success as a rapper with DJ Jazzy Jeff. This period captures the essence of his youthful ambition and the early stages of his career. He and his partner received a Grammy for their rap song “Parents Just Don’t Understand.” Later, they boycotted the award ceremony because the award for rap would not be televised.
- A significant portion of the book is dedicated to Smith’s breakout role in the iconic TV show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” He talks about how luck shined on him when he met Benny Medina at the Arsenio Hall Show, who later introduced him to Quincy Jones. Quincy had Will audition for “The Fresh Prince” at his extravagant birthday party in front of Hollywood bigwigs. Smith then shares behind-the-scenes stories and discusses the impact the show had on his career and personal life.
- Smith’s transition from television to film is a major highlight. He recounts his roles in blockbuster movies such as “Independence Day,” “Men in Black,” and “Ali,” providing insights into the film industry and the dedication required to succeed.
- While reading I felt like he is boasting too much Like he lists off the exact number of soundtrack or movies sales, calls himself the biggest (movie/rap) star in the world repeatedly in the book and he then claims that he is not flexing.
- Will by Will Smith offers a deep and honest look into his personal life, including his regrets and mistakes, especially in his relationships with women. His treatment of women in his life troubled me. His pattern of moving quickly from one relationship to another, as mentioned with Tanya, Shree, and Jada Pinkett Smith, seems to reflect his struggles with commitment and emotional stability. His candidness about these issues, including his marriage to Jada and the challenges they faced, shows a willingness to confront and acknowledge his past behaviour.
- Smith’s ego dominates the narrative to such an extent that it’s difficult to see him as innocent or sympathetic, despite his attempts to portray himself that way in the biography. He frequently boasts about his greatness, including an incident where he describes contemplating ending his suffering father’s life by pushing him down the stairs, confident that his Academy Award-winning acting skills would prevent anyone from suspecting him.
- It’s fascinating to hear about Will’s journey with Vipassana and ayahuasca. These spiritual paths can offer profound experiences and insights. Feeling a presence like “Mother” during such experiences is quite common, as many people report encountering guiding or nurturing entities.
- In the end I felt that he recounts events of philosophical exploration of success, failure and self-discovery. Essentially, it’s the classic tale of a celebrity’s journey from rags to riches.
A must-read for fans and anyone seeking motivation and insight into the life of an icon.”
Book Review
Will by Will Smith (with Mark Manson) is a candid and introspective memoir chronicling the life of the iconic actor, rapper, and producer. The book traces Smith’s path from a complex childhood in Philadelphia to global superstardom, exploring the personal and professional lessons he learned along the way.
Known to many as The Fresh Prince, Will Smith opens up about his upbringing in a loving yet turbulent household. His father, a strict and at times abusive figure, instilled in him a relentless work ethic that became the foundation of his success. Smith reflects on his early passion for music, his rise to fame alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff, and their historic Grammy win for “Parents Just Don’t Understand”—a win they famously protested due to the rap category being excluded from the televised ceremony.
A pivotal section of the memoir centers around The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the show that launched Smith into the mainstream. He recounts the serendipitous meeting with Benny Medina at the Arsenio Hall Show and the impromptu audition at Quincy Jones’s birthday party—an event that changed the trajectory of his life. Smith also offers behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflections on the show’s impact.
The transition from television to film features prominently, with Smith detailing his experiences in blockbusters like Independence Day, Men in Black, and Ali. These chapters provide a revealing look at Hollywood, fame, and the intensity required to remain at the top.
However, the memoir doesn’t shy away from difficult truths. Smith writes openly about his personal struggles, particularly in his relationships. His pattern of jumping quickly from one partner to another—citing women like Tanya, Sheree, and Jada Pinkett Smith—highlights unresolved emotional challenges. While he attempts to take accountability, some readers may find his reflections lacking depth or sensitivity, especially regarding how he treated women.
One of the book’s recurring tensions is Smith’s ego. Despite disclaimers that he’s “not flexing,” he frequently highlights statistics, awards, and claims to being the biggest movie or rap star in the world. At times, the tone can feel self-congratulatory rather than humble or self-aware. One particularly jarring moment involves him contemplating pushing his ailing father down the stairs, believing his acting skills could help him avoid suspicion—a story meant to convey inner turmoil, but one that might alienate some readers.
Smith’s later-life spiritual exploration through Vipassana meditation and ayahuasca ceremonies brings a reflective, philosophical layer to the memoir. He describes encounters with a nurturing presence called “Mother,” mirroring common reports from psychedelic experiences and suggesting a search for deeper meaning beyond fame.
In the end, Will reads as both a celebration of success and a reckoning with its cost. It’s a story of ambition, reinvention, ego, and growth—a classic tale of transformation from humble beginnings to global icon.
What I don’t like about the book?
At times, the narrative feels uneven—some sections linger too long, while others are hastily covered. Certain parts of Smith’s life are presented in an overly polished manner, with noticeable omissions of more controversial or complex details.
About Author
Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968) is an American actor, rapper and film producer. He has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA Award, and four Grammy Awards.
As of 2024, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. He co-wrote the book “Will” with Mark Manson, who was born on March 9, 1984. Mark Manson is an American self-help author and blogger.
Conclusion
Will by Will is a mix of motivational narrative, celebrity confession, and philosophical exploration—a revealing portrait of a man constantly striving for greatness, often at personal cost.
A must-read for fans and anyone curious about the complex inner life behind one of the world’s most recognizable celebrities.
