John Wayne: American - Hardcover

Randy Roberts; James S Olson

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0029238374 ISBN 13: 9780029238370

Publisher: The Free Press, 1996

Synopsis

Based on over five years of interview and archival research, John Wayne: American explains the appeal of Wayne's abiding Americanness. Indeed, we cannot understand America itself without understanding John Wayne. Born in a dyed-in-the-wool Republican town in Iowa, a football star and student leader, and a scholarship boy at USC, Wayne went to Hollywood because it was the truest meritocracy in America, the one place where his lack of wealth and connections could not hurt him. After spending the first decade of his career on Poverty Row, he emerged as a star in Stagecoach. But it was during World War II that Wayne - and America - emerged as superpowers. Wayne came to politics reluctantly, joining the mainstream of America in its confrontation with communism - and maintaining his opposition ever since. At heart, however, Wayne was a nonideological conservative. He loved his freedom, his friends, his women, and his booze. He believed in simple justice, and common decency, and he will always be beloved as a result.

About this title

Review:

"All students of Hollywood will find [this biography of John Wayne] fascinating and rewarding."―London Times Literary Supplement (London Times Literary Supplement)

"Writing in a plain-spoken style that avoids both fanzine and academic cant, the authors nicely retell the story of Wayne’s relationship with John Ford, the director most responsible for setting him apart from the gunslinging crowd."―New York Times Book Review (New York Times Book Review)

"Recommended for all film collections."―Library Journal (Library Journal)

Synopsis:

Born in Iowa, John Wayne went to Hollywood because it was the one place where his lack of wealth and connections could not hurt him. He became the star of 180 films and defined for many the role of the cowboy. This biography traces his progress and shows how he remained true to his early virtues.

About this edition

• Publisher: The Free Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0029238374
• ISBN 13: 9780029238370
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 752