Living the Braveheart Life

Finding the Courage to Follow Your Heart

By: Randall Wallace

Narrated by: Matt Baugher

"Every man dies. Not every man really lives." (William Wallace, Braveheart)

More than 20 years ago, Braveheart captured the hearts of moviegoers around the world. The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, winning five. Now, for the first time, author and screenwriter Randall Wallace shares the journey that led him to the famous Scottish warrior and how telling the story of William Wallace changed the direction of his life and career - from that surprising first moment in Edinburgh, Scotland, to selling the script to a major Hollywood studio.

Part autobiography, part master class, Living the Braveheart Life invites us to explore five major archetypes in Braveheart that resonate not only in Randall's life but in the modern-day lives of both men and women: the father, teacher, warrior, sage, and outlaw. Join blockbuster film director Randall Wallace on the journey of his creative and personal life. Discover why thousands of moviegoers continue to say Braveheart is their all-time favorite film and how its creator and architect came to believe that he must write as if his life depended on it.

Living the Braveheart Life is a challenge to all of us to engage in the greatest battle of all - the one inside the human heart.

During his prolific Hollywood career, Randall Wallace has amassed an enviable body of work. Films such as The Man in the Iron Mask, We Were Soldiers, and Secretariat have become box office standards. Yet no film defines his life and career more than Braveheart, written from a well of deep personal passion, steeped in years of reflection.

With roots in small-town Tennessee, Randall's hunger for adventure and unlimited horizons leads him to Duke University. There he sits under the tutelage of Thomas A. Langford, whose infectious love and learning and faith light up a classroom and a young man's vision of life's possibilities.

©2015 Randall Wallace (P)2015 Thomas Nelson Publishers

Critic reviews

"I don't think I've ever read anything like it...a prescription for what ails the contemporary soul." (Steven Pressfield, screenwriter and author of The War of ArtFront Flap)

The Challenge of Braveheart

Every man dies, not every man really lives-Randall Wallace, author of Braveheart. Wherein lies the challenge for each of us to live out bravery, honor, and freedom, all grounded and rooted in Jesus Christ. It bears one to listen/read again.

So good going to listen again now

I loved the way he walked the listener through his thought process as a writer, and a man of faith.

A journey worth taking!

Watching the movie Braveheart is a very moving experience it certainly moved me. So when I discovered living the Braveheart life by Randall Wallace I couldn’t help but listen to it. Along the journey of this book it will help you reflect on your life and give insight into Mr. Wallace’s life as it relates to you. You will think about taking action in-spite of fear, courage and faith. This book is a journey worth taking.

What shaped William Wallace the character and how to pursue a worthy life for yourself

If you love Braveheart and are curious to know more about the man who wrote it, what inspired him and continues to inspire him and how to pursue a life full of passion for people, worthy ideas and genuine manhood, then you will enjoy this audiobook.

Braveheart has a valable message!

When I first got this book, it was with the thought that my youngest son, a young man who loves fencing, would enjoy it. i have no idea why the purchase of the hardback book was confused and two of another was sent.
When I called to get that corrected, it was on sale, and I impetuously ordered Three!!
After hsnging up, I nearly called back to request a change, but didn't. Now I only wish I'd ordered twice as many!
i've used a poem therein for my Christmas card enclosure. illustratoons from the story have popped into my head at times to help explain what I was saying to hearers, and we know a story is worth a thousand volumes!!

I can think of several who, not only would enjoy it ,but night find the spiritual rewards nearly as realizations may be appreciated, as they were inmy life! Ittruly touched my heart!

This book really helped me.

So as someone who was raised by religious extremist constraints. I thought o would give up on the subject of religion all together. This book balanced the humanistic qualities in three major religions. Catholicism, Protestantism and Islam.

More like "Living the Randall Wallace life"

What did you like best about Living the Braveheart Life? What did you like least?

I really enjoyed the end section where the author talked about how much living the Braveheart life involves being a disciple of Christ. I've always felt like Braveheart made me a better Christain and so that was a nice connection. What I disliked was that the book focused way, way more on Mr. Wallaces life and the Breaveheart tie-ins seemed forced. I think I'm not alone when I strongly believe that Braveheart is a life changing film. I hoped this book would outline a process to better apply that life changing power that has been a great strength in my life. Instead I found a moral code that Wallace follows based on the experiences he has had. I respect Wallace deeply and think he is a great man, but this book came across as self promoting and it seemed like an effort to make another buck off the success of Braveheart. I don't believe that was the intention because of the sincerity I felt at the end of the book but the complaint that everyone attributes the words from Braveheart to William instead of Randall seemed full of bitterness.

Would you ever listen to anything by Randall Wallace again?

Maybe. He's written some incredible movies and the writing in this book was very good. I was just disappointed with the content.

Which character – as performed by Matt Baugher – was your favorite?

NA

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

NA - But definitely go see Braveheart. Best film ever.

Any additional comments?

I came away from this book believing even more strongly that Braveheart was an inspired work. While Wallace obviously had to be prepared for that inspiration, his personal moral code is not the moral code I found in the film Braveheart.

Evangelism

At the start, the author does explain a few aspects of what he calls a "Braveheart Life", but very soon turn into a constant babble about christianity, jesus, church and hymns, god and the whole spiel. It's a book about religion and living according do Jesus' teaching, which has nothing to do with the movie nor with the life of a warrior. Disappointing, superficial and cliché.

Glory days

A self deprecating, anecdotal account of a single success in the film industry. Completely missing the mark of Scottish history that it presupposes to portray. A preachy, self righteous guide to an empty list of values. No citations or substantial references to any thing of value. A repetitive self-aggrandizing bible story that has been flogged to death for centuries.

Good book, but beware......

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No.

Which character – as performed by Matt Baugher – was your favorite?

Himself

Any additional comments?

Don't get me wrong - it's overall, a good book with some really great lessons. However, be prepared for "bait-and-switch". Ultimately, the authors agenda is to proselytize. I really hate it when you read (or listen) to an entire book and towards the end you realize he's now shoving religion down your throat. If you are a Christian, you'll love it. It you are not, you'll feel betrayed.