America's most enduring symbol of rebellious youth, James Dean has continuously held the world's fascination since his tragic death at the age of twenty-four more than forty years ago. In the first complete, fully documented biography of this enigmatic hero, internationally celebrated author Donald Spoto offers a startlingly revelatory look at the short, greatly misundertood life of an icon who remains frozen in time.
From the dusty roads of rural Indiana to the college campuses of California, from Broadway to Burbank, from Manhattan's gay culture to the winding roads of the Hollywood hills, James Dean comes vividly to life as Spoto reveals the brilliant, gifted and troubled young man. With the cooperation of dozens of family members, friends, lovers, directors, costars, the whole picture emerges at last: the forced marriage of Dean's parents; the tragic death of Jimmy's mother when he was nine; his tumultuous relationship with his faterh, which later was partly responsible for the creation of the angry young man in American culture; and Dean's electrifying rise to stardon in New York and Hollywood.
From the dusty roads of rural Indiana to the college campuses of California, from Broadway to Burbank, from Manhattan's gay culture to the winding roads of the Hollywood hills, James Dean comes vividly to life as Spoto reveals the brilliant, gifted and troubled young man. With the cooperation of dozens of family members, friends, lovers, directors, costars, the whole picture emerges at last: the forced marriage of Dean's parents; the tragic death of Jimmy's mother when he was nine; his tumultuous relationship with his faterh, which later was partly responsible for the creation of the angry young man in American culture; and Dean's electrifying rise to stardon in New York and Hollywood.
Although he starred in only three major motion pictures before dying in a car crash at the age of twenty-four, James Dean influenced millions in his brief career. After his sudden death, many stories surfaced and continue to confuse fans even now. Finally, master biographer Donald Spoto brings James Byron Dean, the brilliant, gifted and troubled young man who embodied the image of the eternal teenage rebel, vividly to life.
With the cooperation of dozens of family members, friends, lovers, directors and costars, the whole picture emerges at last. Drawing on extraordinary mines of fresh material, Spoto reveals the unknown James Dean, whose: impending birth forced his young parents to marry; confused sexuality led him into the beds of both men and women; lack of discipline made him unreliable and temperamental; electrifying gift lit up the screen too briefly; hunger for stardom taught him how to take advantage of friends; sudden and controversial death still has fans and officials wondering what really happened; and so much more! A hero, an icon, a star, here, at last, is the true story behind the quintessential American rebel.
With the cooperation of dozens of family members, friends, lovers, directors and costars, the whole picture emerges at last. Drawing on extraordinary mines of fresh material, Spoto reveals the unknown James Dean, whose: impending birth forced his young parents to marry; confused sexuality led him into the beds of both men and women; lack of discipline made him unreliable and temperamental; electrifying gift lit up the screen too briefly; hunger for stardom taught him how to take advantage of friends; sudden and controversial death still has fans and officials wondering what really happened; and so much more! A hero, an icon, a star, here, at last, is the true story behind the quintessential American rebel.
Loved this book. Any James Dean fan would be sad, if they missed this read.
Very good book. One of the few out there that seems to tell the truth...& since he's not around to stick up for himself...we have to go one what people say that knew or had met him. This one is a keeper
