Real James Dean: Intimate Memories from Those Who Knew Him Best

This is the third book of James Dean I have read in the past few weeks. Was interesting and now I feel I know so much more and will be respectful when we go to the festival in Fairmount IN (stay 4 days). I have been going for around 10 years.

Love

(Full Disclosure: The late Ray Massey was my friend.) Loving to read (and sometimes write) film history books which let the participants tell the story in their own words, I knew I'd thoroughly enjoy this copious compendium, and so far -- I'm still reading it -- this is proving to be the case. I can't imagine anyone interested in Dean, film-making, or Hollywood in the Fifties not finding this a treasure trove of invaluable information and insights. The only reason I'm not giving it the full 5 stars is because the book strikes me in places as being not so much edited as compiled. For one example, Mr. Winkler seems either not to have noticed, or not to have cared, that the Dennis Hopper "OUTTAKE" which he places (on pg. 169) immediately before the Raymond Massey reminiscence (pgs. 170-174) would have had much more impact immediately AFTER the Massey chapter because it is actually the pay-off to a story Massey tells. Without the Massey memories, the significance of the Hopper memory is lost. Do yourself a favor, read the Massey pages first, then read the Hopper page, and you'll see what I mean. But don't let my quibble keep you from reading this very rich volume on a very rich subject which retains its fascination, perhaps even enlarges it, even after all these generations.

Of all the books I've consumed about James Dean this is my favorite. Why? The mix of comments about the icon from people who really knew him.

James Dean was a Different James Dean to different people in his life and together after reading the several recollectios in this book you then can put all the pieces together a get the mist comprehensive picture of a most complicated and compartmentmentalized Man

Real indeed! This book is a treasure trove of first-hand memories that are intimate, fascinating and full of the ring of truth. I have read everything on Dean (and have the library to prove it) but this book serves as frosting on the cake. I feel that I know Dean now better than I ever have. Note to the author: Thank you for writing it. It's a masterful collection.

Nothing wrong with the book, but it did arrive sticky and dirty

Every perspective you could ask for...wishing the whole time you didn’t know the ending, putting it off until the very last moment.

One of the best books if not the best book on James Dean out there. This book dives back into the memories of those who knew him briefly, those who knew him for a longer period and those who were closest to him. Accounts from fellow well known actor and actresses and more, must read book for any James Dean fan or anyone who wishes to learn more about the great actor and person that he was.

Very informative but I would of like more pictures as well as this is something that seems to be lacking in this book

Very well interesting book.

Livro prazeroso e emocionante sobre a trajetória do lendário James Dean com relatos interessantes de pessoas próximas a ele. Os fãs do ator e do cinema clássico ficarão super satisfeitos. Recomendo!

Good collection of statements from people who knew him. I don't like the story's about his sexuality and that they appear in that collection but okay..So forth a nice book. Some of the storys in it are just heartbreaking (wether they really happenend that way or not, we will never know..) but you can not read it without a tear at the end.