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My Next Breath
The gripping and inspiring story of acclaimed actor Jeremy Renner’s near-fatal accident, and what he learned about inner strength, endurance and hope as he overcame insurmountable odds to recover, one breath at a time.
Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner was the second most googled person in 2023… and not for his impressive filmography. His searing portrayals on film ranged from an Iraq-based army bomb technician in The Hurt Locker and a Boston bank robber in The Town to a crooked Camden mayor in American Hustle before he became heir to the Jason Bourne franchise (The Bourne Legacy). Amongst other iconic roles, he also captured hearts as fan-favorite comic book marksman Hawkeye in seven Marvel films.
Yet, his otherworldly success on-screen faded to the periphery when a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow crushed him on New Year’s Day 2023. Somehow able to keep breathing for more than half an hour, he was subsequently rushed to the ICU, after which he would face multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation.
In this debut memoir, Jeremy writes in blistering detail about his accident and the aftermath. This retelling is not merely a gruesome account of what happened to him; it’s a call to action and a forged companionship between reader and author as Jeremy recounts his recovery journey and reflects on the impact of his suffering. Ultimately, Jeremy’s memoir is a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure, evolve, and find purpose in the face of unimaginable adversity. His writing captures the essence of profound transformation, exploring the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, despair and hope, redemption and renewal.
Two-time Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner was the second most googled person in 2023… and not for his impressive filmography. His searing portrayals on film ranged from an Iraq-based army bomb technician in The Hurt Locker and a Boston bank robber in The Town to a crooked Camden mayor in American Hustle before he became heir to the Jason Bourne franchise (The Bourne Legacy). Amongst other iconic roles, he also captured hearts as fan-favorite comic book marksman Hawkeye in seven Marvel films.
Yet, his otherworldly success on-screen faded to the periphery when a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow crushed him on New Year’s Day 2023. Somehow able to keep breathing for more than half an hour, he was subsequently rushed to the ICU, after which he would face multiple surgeries and months of painful rehabilitation.
In this debut memoir, Jeremy writes in blistering detail about his accident and the aftermath. This retelling is not merely a gruesome account of what happened to him; it’s a call to action and a forged companionship between reader and author as Jeremy recounts his recovery journey and reflects on the impact of his suffering. Ultimately, Jeremy’s memoir is a testament to the human spirit and its capacity to endure, evolve, and find purpose in the face of unimaginable adversity. His writing captures the essence of profound transformation, exploring the delicate interplay between vulnerability and strength, despair and hope, redemption and renewal.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2025
3475 people are currently reading
25940 people want to read
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June 17, 2025new addition to my top fave memoirs list! if you're unfamiliar, he was in a horrible snow plow accident and the way that he was able to overcome every obstacle just speaks to who he is as a person. he's driven and inspiring, obviously on screen but even more so in real life with everything he does to help underprivileged children and communities. i re-listened to the last chapter + epilogue multiple times because i was both in awe, and not wanting it to end
June 8, 2025
I have always been a big fan of Jeremy Renner, his role in The Town is still memorable for me, and now I am an even bigger fan.
His memoir is filled with bits and pieces of his life to give you background on who he is, and these in turn he uses to explain how he survived the horrific accident that happened to him, and how he is thriving afterwards.
He goes into the gritty detail of his accident and he really takes you into the events of that day and his subsequent rescue by his nephew and two total strangers. He describes how his love for family and friends kept him fighting to stay alive and how he used past experiences, experiences that you would think nothing of, helped him survive the first hour before paramedics arrived to assist him.
Renner is a hard man and a tough guy, and this book shows his true grit and bloody mindedness that helped him survive and recover. It is inspiring to read how with the right mindset and attitude you can overcome anything, and that yes, hard work pays off.
The chapter called Taillights, is one of the best pieces of writing I have read and words cannot describe how great it is, just go read it.
Highly recommended reading and will definitely be one of my top reads for 2025. Did this as a buddy read which made it that more enjoyable.
His memoir is filled with bits and pieces of his life to give you background on who he is, and these in turn he uses to explain how he survived the horrific accident that happened to him, and how he is thriving afterwards.
He goes into the gritty detail of his accident and he really takes you into the events of that day and his subsequent rescue by his nephew and two total strangers. He describes how his love for family and friends kept him fighting to stay alive and how he used past experiences, experiences that you would think nothing of, helped him survive the first hour before paramedics arrived to assist him.
Renner is a hard man and a tough guy, and this book shows his true grit and bloody mindedness that helped him survive and recover. It is inspiring to read how with the right mindset and attitude you can overcome anything, and that yes, hard work pays off.
The chapter called Taillights, is one of the best pieces of writing I have read and words cannot describe how great it is, just go read it.
Highly recommended reading and will definitely be one of my top reads for 2025. Did this as a buddy read which made it that more enjoyable.
May 31, 2025
Raw, heartfelt, and powerfully human from start to finish!
Listening to My Next Breath: A Memoir was an emotional experience I won’t soon forget. Jeremy Renner shares his story with a kind of vulnerability that goes far beyond what I expected. This isn’t just about a terrible accident—it’s about the will to survive, the power of community, and a deep, abiding love for family.
Hearing Jeremy narrate his own words brings an added weight to every moment. His voice cracks at times, and the emotion is always right there, close to the surface. The inclusion of real 911 audio from the day of the accident is nothing short of haunting. You can hear him in the background, moaning in pain, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking. I had to pause more than once just to catch my breath.
The section about his neighbours—complete strangers who ran toward danger to help—restored my faith in humanity. Their courage and kindness were a light in a moment of unimaginable darkness. It reminded me how powerful simple acts of love and care can be.
Jeremy reflects deeply on his life, his choices, and the man he wants to be going forward. His love for his daughter Ava is central to everything, and his vow to live with more intention and compassion shines throughout the memoir. While some parts felt a little repetitive, it only added to the sense of how consuming and relentless recovery truly is.
This is a survivor’s story, but also a deeply human one. It’s about more than just getting through—it’s about choosing how to live after. Jeremy Renner opens his heart, and I’m grateful he did.
And I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Tina for putting this audiobook on my radar. It was your beautiful review that convinced me to listen, and I’m so thankful you did. This experience will stay with me.
Listening to My Next Breath: A Memoir was an emotional experience I won’t soon forget. Jeremy Renner shares his story with a kind of vulnerability that goes far beyond what I expected. This isn’t just about a terrible accident—it’s about the will to survive, the power of community, and a deep, abiding love for family.
Hearing Jeremy narrate his own words brings an added weight to every moment. His voice cracks at times, and the emotion is always right there, close to the surface. The inclusion of real 911 audio from the day of the accident is nothing short of haunting. You can hear him in the background, moaning in pain, and it’s absolutely heartbreaking. I had to pause more than once just to catch my breath.
The section about his neighbours—complete strangers who ran toward danger to help—restored my faith in humanity. Their courage and kindness were a light in a moment of unimaginable darkness. It reminded me how powerful simple acts of love and care can be.
Jeremy reflects deeply on his life, his choices, and the man he wants to be going forward. His love for his daughter Ava is central to everything, and his vow to live with more intention and compassion shines throughout the memoir. While some parts felt a little repetitive, it only added to the sense of how consuming and relentless recovery truly is.
This is a survivor’s story, but also a deeply human one. It’s about more than just getting through—it’s about choosing how to live after. Jeremy Renner opens his heart, and I’m grateful he did.
And I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to Tina for putting this audiobook on my radar. It was your beautiful review that convinced me to listen, and I’m so thankful you did. This experience will stay with me.
June 9, 2025
My Next Breath by Jeremy Renner is his memoir detailing the events of his 2023 accident. I’ve always admired him as an actor, but after reading this, I’ve gained a whole new level of respect for him as a person.
The chapter about the accident is incredibly detailed, and the audiobook even includes the actual 911 call, which was chilling to hear. The fact that he was run over by a 14,000-pound snowcat and survived is unbelievable—but to come out of it without any lasting damage to his organs, brain, or spinal cord is nothing short of a miracle. I’m sure luck or divine intervention played a part, but as a nurse with nearly 30 years of experience, I can confidently say that his mindset after the accident was a major factor in his full recovery.
His determination and will to survive and move beyond the events of that day are truly inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder of what really matters in life and what’s ultimately insignificant. His positive outlook reinforces the idea that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can control our perspective and how we choose to move forward and do so with love and appreciation.
I switched between reading on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook, narrated by Jeremy. His voice carried so much emotion during the heavier moments, which brought even more depth to the story. This was my first buddy read which made it even more interesting discussing the chapters as we read. 5 powerful stars - I highly recommend this book.
The chapter about the accident is incredibly detailed, and the audiobook even includes the actual 911 call, which was chilling to hear. The fact that he was run over by a 14,000-pound snowcat and survived is unbelievable—but to come out of it without any lasting damage to his organs, brain, or spinal cord is nothing short of a miracle. I’m sure luck or divine intervention played a part, but as a nurse with nearly 30 years of experience, I can confidently say that his mindset after the accident was a major factor in his full recovery.
His determination and will to survive and move beyond the events of that day are truly inspiring. It’s a powerful reminder of what really matters in life and what’s ultimately insignificant. His positive outlook reinforces the idea that while we can’t control what happens to us, we can control our perspective and how we choose to move forward and do so with love and appreciation.
I switched between reading on my Kindle and listening to the audiobook, narrated by Jeremy. His voice carried so much emotion during the heavier moments, which brought even more depth to the story. This was my first buddy read which made it even more interesting discussing the chapters as we read. 5 powerful stars - I highly recommend this book.
May 9, 2025
You know, I wanted to love it. I am also very glad he’s okay. But he comes off as a narcissist. He had a preachy tone, like he was imparting some great lessons to the rest of us little people.
It was all “Me - Me - Me!” There were other people (family, friends) in his orbit, of course. But they seemed to function only as planets circling his Sun. So it was all “Me, Me, Me, and how my loved ones were affected by {what happened to} Me.”
It was all “Me - Me - Me!” There were other people (family, friends) in his orbit, of course. But they seemed to function only as planets circling his Sun. So it was all “Me, Me, Me, and how my loved ones were affected by {what happened to} Me.”
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June 12, 2025This story is wiiiild. Highly recommend on audio as it’s narrated by Jeremy, and they add in the actual 911 call from the accident! Such an inspiring story about overcoming adversity, the love you have for your family, and staying positive during hardship. I laughed, and I cried!
May 13, 2025
MY NEXT BREATH requires a trigger warning on the cover, written in bold, large letters: the story may cause a panic attack! Don't forget to breathe! Anyone who follows the news has heard of the snowcat (not snowplough) accident Jeremy Renner experienced on 1 January 2023. Yet, the rawness of the book still strikes hard. Jeremy Renner describes how he, remaining conscious, felt the pressure and release as six wheels of a 14000-ton machine smashed his body bit by bit. He retells his nephew's words: the nephew, stuck in a car, unable to escape, waited till the snowcat would pierce him. On the 911 calls, the reader (of an audiobook) could hear the author's groans.
Jeremy Renner crossed the border to the other side that day.
All people who went through near-fatal accidents find strength in different places. Jeremy Renner found solace in his family. He felt guilty for spoiling such a great day for them, especially for his daughter. He felt guilty for traumatizing his nephew, who had held his hand until the paramedics arrived, and his neighbors, one of whom had lost her uncle just a day before. It's relatively easy to get through the recovery process in this context: you get well for others, not for yourself. Looking at Jeremy Renner now, nobody would guess what he has gone through. That's the power of family love and resilience.
I'd recommend listening to an audiobook narrated by the author. I warn you: be prepared for a shock!
So far, MY NEXT BREATH is the best nonfiction book of 2025 for me.
Jeremy Renner crossed the border to the other side that day.
All people who went through near-fatal accidents find strength in different places. Jeremy Renner found solace in his family. He felt guilty for spoiling such a great day for them, especially for his daughter. He felt guilty for traumatizing his nephew, who had held his hand until the paramedics arrived, and his neighbors, one of whom had lost her uncle just a day before. It's relatively easy to get through the recovery process in this context: you get well for others, not for yourself. Looking at Jeremy Renner now, nobody would guess what he has gone through. That's the power of family love and resilience.
I'd recommend listening to an audiobook narrated by the author. I warn you: be prepared for a shock!
So far, MY NEXT BREATH is the best nonfiction book of 2025 for me.
May 27, 2025
I have no idea why I read this book or why I wasted my time finishing it. The “author” is so self involved and out of touch with reality. This book is just about some man with extreme privilege thinking the world can move around him, the whole reason he was in the accident was because he wanted to go skiing even though there were orders to stay home. Then he has the audacity to say things like with facts and determination, you can get through anything. Uhhh how about being a millionaire?? At the very least he could have acknowledged his extreme privilege. Also he name drops so many times and talks about how he’s so famous like bro I wouldn’t recognize you if I passed you on the street.
June 13, 2025
Deeply moving memoir filled with raw emotions and honest self-evaluation.
May 13, 2025
Wow, I have so much to say and yet don’t know how to start. We are so incredibly lucky that he chose to write this book. So many people can learn so much from hearing Jeremy’s perspective on his accident and life.
Some thoughts:
-While I usually like listening to the audiobook of memoirs already, this one was an absolute must to listen to with the added 911 audio and raw emotion in his voice. I will also be buying the physical copy.
(Update 5/13: I absolutely DID buy the physical copy)
-From the very beginning I was crying hearing Ava read her essay about her father😭 started off STRONG
-You can hear his whole range of emotion from his experience come through while he is reading his words
-Including his family’s and friends’ perspectives from the accident just added to this book even more
-Just in his retelling of this story, you can see how incredibly selfless this man is
-I lost count with how many times I said “wow”
-Incredible storytelling and perfect title
-Alex is truly a hero
-Inspiring from start to finish
Review: April 30, 2025
Some thoughts:
-While I usually like listening to the audiobook of memoirs already, this one was an absolute must to listen to with the added 911 audio and raw emotion in his voice. I will also be buying the physical copy.
(Update 5/13: I absolutely DID buy the physical copy)
-From the very beginning I was crying hearing Ava read her essay about her father😭 started off STRONG
-You can hear his whole range of emotion from his experience come through while he is reading his words
-Including his family’s and friends’ perspectives from the accident just added to this book even more
-Just in his retelling of this story, you can see how incredibly selfless this man is
-I lost count with how many times I said “wow”
-Incredible storytelling and perfect title
-Alex is truly a hero
-Inspiring from start to finish
Review: April 30, 2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2025
This was very repetitive and not well written. He seems very egotistical. He basically says that he survived the accident because he chose to, as if anyone else who’s died in a terrible accident just didn’t want to live enough like him. His description of himself as the worst patient ever did not come off as endearing to me. All in all, the book is basically about how he chose to survive (because he’s awesome), and how he was able to recover so quickly because he’s super rich and could essentially build a rehab center in his house. The only actually interesting part was the actual accident; hearing the 911 call was very harrowing.
June 29, 2025
As someone who’s followed Jeremy Renner from The Hurt Locker to Hawkeye, I picked up My Next Breath expecting a glimpse into his life—but what I got was a raw, emotional, and surprisingly uplifting journey that hit way deeper than I imagined.
This isn’t just a “celebrity memoir.” It’s Jeremy laying it all out—his pain, his fears, his fight to survive after that terrifying accident. But what really got me was how he never loses his sense of humor or heart. You can feel the love he has for his daughter, his family, and life itself in every chapter.
There’s an honesty in the way he speaks about fear, hope, and the people who supported him through his darkest days. By the end of the book, I didn’t just see Renner as an actor; I saw him as a person who’s been through something life-changing and emerged with wisdom, humility, and a newfound appreciation for what truly matters.. It’s inspiring without being preachy, emotional without being heavy-handed. Just real.
If I admired Renner before, now I respect him on a whole new level—not just for his craft, but for his strength, vulnerability, and ability to find light even in the hardest moments.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Renner himself.
This isn’t just a “celebrity memoir.” It’s Jeremy laying it all out—his pain, his fears, his fight to survive after that terrifying accident. But what really got me was how he never loses his sense of humor or heart. You can feel the love he has for his daughter, his family, and life itself in every chapter.
There’s an honesty in the way he speaks about fear, hope, and the people who supported him through his darkest days. By the end of the book, I didn’t just see Renner as an actor; I saw him as a person who’s been through something life-changing and emerged with wisdom, humility, and a newfound appreciation for what truly matters.. It’s inspiring without being preachy, emotional without being heavy-handed. Just real.
If I admired Renner before, now I respect him on a whole new level—not just for his craft, but for his strength, vulnerability, and ability to find light even in the hardest moments.
Do yourself a favor and listen to the audiobook narrated by Jeremy Renner himself.
April 30, 2025
This is a pretty remarkable story. I listened to the audiobook, and the chapter describing the accident was pretty incredible, embedded with the actual 911 call. Truly he’s so fortunate he didn’t die or sustain a spinal cord or brain injury. That said, this wasn’t a book for me. It was a very masculine tone, a bootstraps-tough love-hustle through the pain vibe that just didn’t connect with me (an admittedly touchy-feely-feelings-delicate flower kind of a gal lol). I ended up putting the last couple of chapters on 2x bc I was losing attention/interest. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t connect with someone else.
May 13, 2025
It should have been titled “My Big Ego”. It’s amazing that he survived such a horrible accident, but the majority of this book was letting the reader know how fabulous and enlightened he is.
May 5, 2025
It’s not well written, he jumps from one thing to the next going off on long tangents, it’s horribly repetitive that gets exhausting by the end. Don’t get me wrong the detail about the accident itself are horrific and harrowing but it is certainly not the book I thought it would be. It felt very self serving and egotistical. The ending seemed very rushed and random. You certainly feel throughout the book that he is missing out on having a relationship/wife there with him through it. The comment about hobbies is very strange and quite offensive really. I didn’t like his behaviours to the nurses and doctors at the hospital. I felt those parts of the book could have done with a lot more editing.
February 21, 2025
In his upcoming memoir "My Next Breath," Jeremy Renner takes us through his near-fatal accident in Reno, NV. On January 1, 2023, he was crushed by a 14000-pound snow plow as he saved his nephew from it, nearly dying at his mountain home. From emergency services getting there in the nick of time to his long ordeal as doctors and nurses battled to save his life and help him recover, Renner takes us through not only the physical scars but also the psychological effects of surviving that much trauma.
Renner is known for his film and TV roles, but this memoir gives us a glimpse of the man he is. A devoted father, son, brother, and uncle, the reader will be struck by Renner's fierce determination to recover from this horrible event two years ago. While admitting he is a terrible patient, he used that to his advantage as he pushed himself back to who he was before this happened. I also applaud how he has given back to others, acknowledging how lucky he is and showing gratitude by providing opportunities and serving others. While Renner will long be remembered for his iconic roles, I believe what happened to him and how he chose to battle back makes him memorable.
Renner is known for his film and TV roles, but this memoir gives us a glimpse of the man he is. A devoted father, son, brother, and uncle, the reader will be struck by Renner's fierce determination to recover from this horrible event two years ago. While admitting he is a terrible patient, he used that to his advantage as he pushed himself back to who he was before this happened. I also applaud how he has given back to others, acknowledging how lucky he is and showing gratitude by providing opportunities and serving others. While Renner will long be remembered for his iconic roles, I believe what happened to him and how he chose to battle back makes him memorable.
June 13, 2025
"The only thing I can control in my life is my perspective."
June 5, 2025
I really wanted to love this book as I'm a huge Renner fan, however I have to agree with a lot of the reviews about this book which are not so positive.
I knew of the accident, and that he was ín critical condition for a time, but that was the extent of my knowledge. reading this opened my eyes to the severity of the incident and how miraculous his survival was. this part was amazing and very much worth the read.
unfortunately, like others, I found the whole "Renner talks" "pure love" and other OTT self belief in survival to be completely cringe worthy.
It is such a shame as I came away from reading this with much less admiration and respect for him as a person.
his survival of the incident was literally 1 in a million and he is a very lucky man, but his admission to being"the world's worst patient" was not something to brag about, or remotely endorse. A lot of his recovery is down to his financial status, not his will to survive. I do not mean that disrespectfully as I believe his will was indeed strong, but his wealth afforded him the treatment and specialists who he clearly did not appreciate at the time, where the ordinary citizen could only dream of this level of care and service.
He is also extremely preachy in the book with his continua talk of "pure love", his family's suffering of his accident, and the continual repetition is challenging to read. I feel this was to flesh the book out to make it thick enough to warrant a hardback.
I would recommend borrowing the book and reading what you can about the accident if it is of interest to you, but paying full price for the book is reserved for absolute die hard fans of his, and even then, be prepared for possible disappointment.
I gave it 3 stars because I received a signed copy as a present from my wife. I think the score is generous because of this.
I knew of the accident, and that he was ín critical condition for a time, but that was the extent of my knowledge. reading this opened my eyes to the severity of the incident and how miraculous his survival was. this part was amazing and very much worth the read.
unfortunately, like others, I found the whole "Renner talks" "pure love" and other OTT self belief in survival to be completely cringe worthy.
It is such a shame as I came away from reading this with much less admiration and respect for him as a person.
his survival of the incident was literally 1 in a million and he is a very lucky man, but his admission to being"the world's worst patient" was not something to brag about, or remotely endorse. A lot of his recovery is down to his financial status, not his will to survive. I do not mean that disrespectfully as I believe his will was indeed strong, but his wealth afforded him the treatment and specialists who he clearly did not appreciate at the time, where the ordinary citizen could only dream of this level of care and service.
He is also extremely preachy in the book with his continua talk of "pure love", his family's suffering of his accident, and the continual repetition is challenging to read. I feel this was to flesh the book out to make it thick enough to warrant a hardback.
I would recommend borrowing the book and reading what you can about the accident if it is of interest to you, but paying full price for the book is reserved for absolute die hard fans of his, and even then, be prepared for possible disappointment.
I gave it 3 stars because I received a signed copy as a present from my wife. I think the score is generous because of this.
September 8, 2025
Wow.
I never really follow celebrity news, but I was aware that Jeremy Renner, the popular actor from Mission Impossible, Hawkeye, and much more, had an accident that left him in hospital.
Never in my life did I realise it was as traumatic as this.
I had my heart in my throat for most of this book. I stayed up past 2am just listening to this, thinking only a few minutes had passed.
I am better than I have ever been, happier and more fulfilled and more deeply connected to those around me than I have ever known. I understand the privilege and the honor that brings, so I'm going to spend the rest of my years giving back the best I can. I remain keenly aware that I'll never have a bad day for the rest of my life. And to learn all that, all I had to do was die.
Jeremy Renner has such drive and motivation and perseverance. His heart is so full. Perhaps it is because I saw my mother in his attitude and mindset too that this hit so hard.
Thankfully, my mother has not been run over by a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow. She did fracture her acetabulum when I was a baby and had to impossibly relearn walking.
In everything, we can always control our perspective. We’re all the authors of our own narrative. How we feel about things is down to us and how we perceive things—it’s our responsibility to control our perspective.
I kid you not, my mum has said the same thing to me and my brothers almost word for word throughout our lives.
It reads almost like a thriller. What makes it horrifying is that this a memoir.
Jeremy Renner narrates the audiobook and I would definitely recommend listening to it. He is a great actor and narrator and definitely brings his own tone and laughter and emotions to this.
You also get actual excerpts from the 911 phone call and can actually hear as Jeremy takes his excruciating next breath again and again after coming back from death.
He speaks about love and connection and somehow injects humour and preservation into a harrowing account.
Love slowly, quietly, and patiently waits for hate to simply burn out. It requires so much more energy to hate than to love, and love has all the time in the world.
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I never really follow celebrity news, but I was aware that Jeremy Renner, the popular actor from Mission Impossible, Hawkeye, and much more, had an accident that left him in hospital.
Never in my life did I realise it was as traumatic as this.
I had my heart in my throat for most of this book. I stayed up past 2am just listening to this, thinking only a few minutes had passed.
I am better than I have ever been, happier and more fulfilled and more deeply connected to those around me than I have ever known. I understand the privilege and the honor that brings, so I'm going to spend the rest of my years giving back the best I can. I remain keenly aware that I'll never have a bad day for the rest of my life. And to learn all that, all I had to do was die.
Jeremy Renner has such drive and motivation and perseverance. His heart is so full. Perhaps it is because I saw my mother in his attitude and mindset too that this hit so hard.
Thankfully, my mother has not been run over by a fourteen-thousand-pound snowplow. She did fracture her acetabulum when I was a baby and had to impossibly relearn walking.
In everything, we can always control our perspective. We’re all the authors of our own narrative. How we feel about things is down to us and how we perceive things—it’s our responsibility to control our perspective.
I kid you not, my mum has said the same thing to me and my brothers almost word for word throughout our lives.
It reads almost like a thriller. What makes it horrifying is that this a memoir.
Jeremy Renner narrates the audiobook and I would definitely recommend listening to it. He is a great actor and narrator and definitely brings his own tone and laughter and emotions to this.
You also get actual excerpts from the 911 phone call and can actually hear as Jeremy takes his excruciating next breath again and again after coming back from death.
He speaks about love and connection and somehow injects humour and preservation into a harrowing account.
Love slowly, quietly, and patiently waits for hate to simply burn out. It requires so much more energy to hate than to love, and love has all the time in the world.
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May 6, 2025
Despite being a short read, this book packed quite the punch. I liked reading about Jeremy Renner’s recovery process and how he never lost hope. He was told he’d never walk again but overcame that. And he’s learned to take it one day at a time and to take nothing for granted. His daughter’s school essay that opened the book was very powerful as well. I imagine this would be great on audio with Renner as the narrator, though I read the physical copy.
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How did I not know this was coming out?? So excited for this!
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How did I not know this was coming out?? So excited for this!
May 1, 2025
This is not an audiobook to listen to at work, unless you want to sit at your desk and sob like I did. The actual audio from the 911 call is played between Renner telling his story (in excruciating detail), and it’s all so brutal and heart wrenching. I can’t fathom the agony and fear that he went through on that January day. To say this man is a super hero is an understatement. He handled his accident with so much grace and strength. He is tenacity personified, and I have so much respect and admiration for him and his journey.
May 12, 2025
This should have been an incredible story given the circumstances of the accident and Renners celebrity. It IS an incredible moment, but the book is so repetitive and poorly written that it is a real grind to get through. A missed opportunity in my opinion
June 22, 2025
My review does not reflect what Jeremy Renner has been through, his trauma and healing. It is a sad and fascinating story of an accident, and what he did to ensure he could take his next breath, his next step, his 2nd life.
I unfortunately didn’t gel with how it was written. I felt like Renner was trying too hard to be poetic and philosophical. He comes across as very out of touch with anything outside his privileged life. For example, the only reason he had the accident was because he was hoping the ski fields (which were closed) would open for just him and his family… why?! Because he’s an actor? Because he’s famous? If he just stayed home like they were told to due to the weather this accident never would have happened - fact! He also repeated himself a lot.
But as he said at the beginning of the novel, he didn’t want to write it. I hope it has given him some healing and closure and I wish him all the best!
I unfortunately didn’t gel with how it was written. I felt like Renner was trying too hard to be poetic and philosophical. He comes across as very out of touch with anything outside his privileged life. For example, the only reason he had the accident was because he was hoping the ski fields (which were closed) would open for just him and his family… why?! Because he’s an actor? Because he’s famous? If he just stayed home like they were told to due to the weather this accident never would have happened - fact! He also repeated himself a lot.
But as he said at the beginning of the novel, he didn’t want to write it. I hope it has given him some healing and closure and I wish him all the best!
July 26, 2025
5 star
I had just picked this book up from the library when Libby notified me that it was available there too. Taking that as a sign - like I needed one - I dove right into this book/audio. Renner being the narrator of the audio made it a simple decision as which one I would be trying first. The audio was great, but the print book had pictures, so I was happy that both had come in at one time.
I was alarmed when I heard of Renner's accident. My first thought was 'oh no, I hope it is not serious'. My next thought was 'his show'! Being one of my favorite shows on television I immediately went to what will happen with his series? Then as more about his accident came out I was sure he would never act again - he was lucky to be alive.
Which is the same way Renner felt - he was lucky to be alive.
This book/audio tells the story in Renner's own words. The family gathering, the accident, how he felt as he lay there in the snow barely able to breath, his long wait for the Lifeline helicopter flight to the hospital, his injuries, his recovery and his concern about everyone involved.
Such a harrowing experience. Such an amazing outcome. And... the series goes on.
I had just picked this book up from the library when Libby notified me that it was available there too. Taking that as a sign - like I needed one - I dove right into this book/audio. Renner being the narrator of the audio made it a simple decision as which one I would be trying first. The audio was great, but the print book had pictures, so I was happy that both had come in at one time.
I was alarmed when I heard of Renner's accident. My first thought was 'oh no, I hope it is not serious'. My next thought was 'his show'! Being one of my favorite shows on television I immediately went to what will happen with his series? Then as more about his accident came out I was sure he would never act again - he was lucky to be alive.
Which is the same way Renner felt - he was lucky to be alive.
This book/audio tells the story in Renner's own words. The family gathering, the accident, how he felt as he lay there in the snow barely able to breath, his long wait for the Lifeline helicopter flight to the hospital, his injuries, his recovery and his concern about everyone involved.
Such a harrowing experience. Such an amazing outcome. And... the series goes on.
July 1, 2025
For me, this was such an engaging read. I didn't want to put it down. Was there repetition? Yes, but I felt it had a purpose. And it doesn't surprise me how rude people can be about famous people. Yes, of course some celebrities are awful, but so are non-famous people. I didn't read the same thing the negative reviewers did. No one can tell me that if they were wealthy, they wouldn't do everything possible to help in their survival and recovery. Give me a break. Good for him that he had that blessing. I really enjoyed hearing about how this incident changed him, as well as how his perspective and positive thinking beforehand helped get him through it all. There's nothing more beneficial than a positive spirit, especially during a traumatic experience. I've seen it first hand in my family, so kudos to Jeremy for harnessing that. And I have a lot of respect for him with all he does for his community and children and different charities. At least he's putting his wealth and fame to good use. I'm so glad I made it a priority to read this one now rather than later.
May 24, 2025
I’ve been a fan of Jeremy Renner since The Hurt Locker, so I was curious to read his memoir and learn more about the 2023 accident and how he recovered. His strength (both physically and mentally) is truly admirable, and his retelling of the accident is vivid, gritty, and emotionally powerful. It’s clear the experience changed him in profound ways, not just physically but spiritually as well.
That said, the book started strong but eventually became quite repetitive and could have benefited from tighter editing. While I appreciated some of the introspective moments, the sheer number of inspirational quotes felt overwhelming and a bit forced. At times, the tone veered into egotistical territory, and some comments (particularly about hobbies) came off as unintentionally offensive.
Overall, it’s an inspiring story of resilience, though the delivery didn’t always land for me.
That said, the book started strong but eventually became quite repetitive and could have benefited from tighter editing. While I appreciated some of the introspective moments, the sheer number of inspirational quotes felt overwhelming and a bit forced. At times, the tone veered into egotistical territory, and some comments (particularly about hobbies) came off as unintentionally offensive.
Overall, it’s an inspiring story of resilience, though the delivery didn’t always land for me.
May 13, 2025
Renner touts his recovery as miraculous. No doubt, it's miraculous that he survived, however he has a chapter where he brags about being the worst patient. And his recovery was quite shortened because he has money and was able to pay for the best doctors and have all this physical therapy equipment at his house. He is thankful for his family, no doubt the experience was traumatic for them, but that's about where it ends. The writing itself is also so disorganized it's painful to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2025
This is the male equivalent to a Colleen Hoover book. The writing is effective only if you don’t read very often and have nothing great to compare it to. Renner is grasping at straws to find some sincerity and authenticity in his memoir. You can sense his insecurity in his constant need to reinforce his relevance as an actor. Name dropping of other celebrities and expansive descriptions of the wealth he has accrued are just a few ways in which the Marvel side character compensates for something that he feels is otherwise lacking in his life. If this assessment seems harsh, I won’t pretend that it isn’t. To be frank, Renner’s accident was an undeserved revitalization of his career. Prior to his accident, Renner had a streak of abusive outbursts towards the family he writes about caring so deeply for. He mentions in passing that he has his daughter on weekends, but what he doesn’t mention is that he and his ex-wife separated after he put a gun in her mouth as she was sleeping. This doesn’t seem to line up well with the perfect family man he presents himself as being. He does not use his near-death experience as a way to reflect on his need to change anything meaningful as a person, but instead remains static in character the whole way through. This does an amazing job of showcasing his deep narcissism as he pats himself on the back for making it through his tragic accident without ever truly evolving. I cannot pretend to not be biased here, as I went into this rolling my eyes from the start at the cliche over-description of his perfect commitment to his family and flashy lifestyle. The only compelling part of the whole thing was the accident itself, in which he finally dropped the whole “I am the coolest, most humble, family man you’ve ever known” narrative and just described the scene. I would urge you to read this, if only to recognize the lack of depth and genuineness in Renner as a whole. I am not sure if everyone pitied his situation too much to truly critique, but this is some of the worst writing I have ever read.
July 7, 2025
There is a story about an agent, probably apocryphal, who when informed that Elvis died, he responded’Good career move.’ If you find this story too cynical, you might choose to avoid this book, which may be the most narcissistic cash grab in the history of publishing. My previous winner in the category of ‘So bad it’s great’ had gone to Art Garfunkel, but this book clearly surpasses it in every measurable way.
It surprised me because I truly enjoy Renner as an actor, and I was saddened by his accident and inspired by his recovery. I expected an inspiring story of overcoming adversity.
What I got instead are two things: 1. Someone who manages to make EVERYTHING about him as the center of the universe and 2. What happens when someone entitled with enormous privilege decides he knows better than his doctor on how to recover. He makes several jokes about being the worst patient but it’s not funny and anyone who reads this and decides to model his example puts themselves in danger. It is irresponsible.
I was once in a plane sitting next to someone who was reading People magazine with a highlighter. She proceeded to inform me of ALL the celebrity information she knew. It was the longest flight of my life, and that what it felt like to read this book.
I wish him the best and I encourage you to avoid this book at all costs.
It surprised me because I truly enjoy Renner as an actor, and I was saddened by his accident and inspired by his recovery. I expected an inspiring story of overcoming adversity.
What I got instead are two things: 1. Someone who manages to make EVERYTHING about him as the center of the universe and 2. What happens when someone entitled with enormous privilege decides he knows better than his doctor on how to recover. He makes several jokes about being the worst patient but it’s not funny and anyone who reads this and decides to model his example puts themselves in danger. It is irresponsible.
I was once in a plane sitting next to someone who was reading People magazine with a highlighter. She proceeded to inform me of ALL the celebrity information she knew. It was the longest flight of my life, and that what it felt like to read this book.
I wish him the best and I encourage you to avoid this book at all costs.
May 7, 2025
This is such a heartbreaking, inspiring, uplifting story of strength, resilience and love. Listening to Jeremy Renner tell in his own words not only what happened that day, but what he and his family went through after and through his recovery. He tells his story with such grace and even at times, humor.
I cried, I laughed, I was in awe.
I cried, I laughed, I was in awe.
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