John Wayne: American

This was good reading for a true John Wayne fan. I have read maybe 4 books on him, and this was worth the purchase. I found many new things about Duke, wished for more though. Easy to read.

This is quite simply a great book. Roberts and Olson approach there subject with respect but are not overwhelmed by awe and really just tell a great story in the process. This book really puts John Wayne's life in a context and shows how he became the actor and person that he was. There is no whitewashing of 'The Duke' there is just the plain old fashion truth and the authors do a wonderful job.

Wayne's films are described in a very nice fashion and they are dissected very expertly. How Wayne got in the business is told in detail. The wasteland that was the 1930s for the actor are described and then the great breakthrough of 'Stagecoach' is told in a whole, great chapter. The ups and downs of working with the legendary Director John Ford are also told in excellent detail and really makes for fascinating reading. The authors also do a great job of handling the lack of military service for John Wayne in World War II. This part of Wayne's life is told in a very balanced fashion.

The authors go on through Wayne's successful career into the '50s, '60s, and '70s and describe the many personal problems he dealt with. But what I like so much about this book is that it is not salacious it is just telling the story with great, fair analysis. This book is just a superb account of Wayne's life and films. As Wayne approaches his last days you will be moved. The book concludes with a excellent summary of what Wayne meant to America and the cinema and the concluding paragraphs are very moving and touching.

This book is absolutely A+! Highly recommended to all readers who want to read a great book about the Golden Age of Hollywood!

This is without a doubt the best biography on Duke Wayne I've ever read. The authors did extensive research as well as one-on-one interviews with many of the important people in Duke's life. I discovered a lot of information about his life that I never read in other biographies. The authors don't mince words and write the good, the bad and the ugly about his life. John Wayne: American has been printed in paperback this year, I suppose to commemorate the thirty year anniversary of his death. However, the paperback version costs as much as the hardbound version did back in '95. You should be able to find Duke's bio. at your local library, or possibly at Hamiltonbooks.com at a reasonable price. If you only read one biography about John Wayne; this is the one you should read pilgrim!

This is one of those books that is very good and you wish you never read it. It pointed out all of the Dukes flaws and told you about the real Wayne his family, beliefs and his movies. You can understand why Duke was the way he was but you didn't have to like the way he treated his life,I know most men and including myself have been to much like John Wayne concerniong family and life but I had at least a little understanding of women he was clueless and paid the price. It's a wonder to me he turned out the way he did with such a mother! His macho life is easy for me and I think most men to understand. I'm glad I read the book but it was uncomfortable to read, if you loved the "Duke" read the book and you will understand I did and saw to much of myself growing up with him. I should of given this book 5 stars!

A very well written biography of a very complicated man. From the Duke's childhood to his later years in Hollywood, you get the full picture of an American legend that was patriotic, controversial, opinionated, grateful, and a deliberate artist.

John Wayne: American takes you into Wayne's inner circle of friends, family, and co-workers. If you love John Wayne, or even kind of like him, you'll love this book. There are some shockers that reveal the man behind the curtain that is sure to be a water cooler discussion after you read the book.