Customer Reviews

Cagney by Cagney

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I could not put this book down! I read it in a day! I recently rediscovered this book, and boy am I glad that I did. I love the passages about his early childhood they were so vibrant so full of life. His loving relationship with his mother and siblings. There were many funny stories like the one about the Eastside Kids and Bogart. There were also many touching stories. Especially the one about his mom's death. Reading this book also reminded me that not only was he a good tough guy, but he was a great song and dance man too!! Cagney by Cagney is reccommended to anyone who loves James Cagney. He was definitely one of a kind.

This book is for the true fan of James Cagney. Mr. Cagney tells his story as no one can -- straightforward and to the point. He pulls no punches and puts to rest the ages old tale about the line, "you dirty rat." Easy reading and extremely enjoyable.(This is my second reading!)

Iam a big James Cagney fan!!!! I got this book when it first came out and read it in about a week!!!!! I still have it in my collection of books on Mr. Cagney. He wonderfully goes through his childhood. His love of his family and how much he loved his mother. A very gentle man, who showed such a mean side on the screen, goes to show what a great actor he was!!!! To learn he painted and was a fine poet too was interesting. Reading of his career and how he looked at acting as just a job, nothing more. There is humor too, that Mr. Cagney always had and expresses very much so in his book!!!!! Iam glad I got it back in 1976, but for all Cagney fans, if your able to find this book, it is a must read. Very enjoyable!!!!!

James Cagney writes like he acts..you walk in the scene...you look the other actor in the eye and you tell him the truth....a rich portrait of e legend and the incredible down to earth qualities that made him into a star and legend..

What a difference a book can make. Anyone that thinks that Jim Cagney is only a hoodlum is missing out on the biggest part of the man. "Once a song and dance man always a song and dance man" Mr. Cagney was a hoofer in his heart along with being a pretty darn good poet. All of this and more honest insights into the people in his life and his fellings on being James Cagney. Truly a must for anyone who finds the actor fascinating. Worth the effort in finding this rare book.

Fascinating insights into the man who captured Americas heart. I've had this book since it was published the first time...it's yellowed with age, but worth reading again...and again. THIS is the book he wanted to reveal himself in and I think this is the only book about his life that really counts.

Right from the horse's mouth! Told in Cagney's rat-a-tat-tat style of speech. Even on paper I could hear his voice in my head as I read. Okay, okay, he starts the book off rambling about his childhood exploits. Sounded like a man anxiously reminiscing about the years that made him who he has become. He does so in a hurry, thus leading the reader into a tailspin. But, he does settle down after awhile.

Once he hits the point in the book where his entertainment years begin, boy oh boy, hold your hat for an exciting ride. What great stuff. Even better to me as an amateur actor and movie fanatic is the behind the scenes stories Cagney shares from his first person point of view. We're talking early Hollywood stuff, like the fact Clarke Gable, Cagney and many others thought movie making would be a fad. WOW! They all predicted the big Hollywood bust similar to what happened to the Dot Com era in its infancy.

Better yet are his many stories, some hilarious while others profound about his take on actors and directors of his day. Cagney pulls no punches when offering his opinions about the people and the movie business during his active years and his take on what he calls movie slop being dished out starting in the 70's. Grumpy old man syndrome? Perhaps, but it's stimulating just the same.

Finally, in his later years the rough and tough Cagney turns philosopher. His love of nature and art and life are inspiring to say the least. Even though I just finished reading my copy yesterday I think I'll read it again starting right now.

Awesome and Entertaining!

I first read this book when it was first published in 76. Mr. Cagney was still alive, and I was so inspired by his ode to Humphrey Bogart's nose, that I wrote one myself and mailed it to him in care of his publisher.

I've seen you on the late show and on Sunday afternoons,
before the Sunrise Sermonette or after Looney Tunes.
So many pictures you have made, and some you came to hate.
But Mr. "C" I've seen them all, and I thought you were great!

Several months later, I received a post card from Mr. Cagney with a note thanking me for the prose. It's among my prize posessions...

Cagney By Cagney Is such an enjoyable book not only about James Cagney himself but also gives insight into the film industry of the time.
We learn how he grew up in poverty, about his parents and siblings, his education and how he came to be an actor. His memories of his childhood friends and not so friendly people and how he used these memories in many of the characters he played on screen. The man he became and how he got to that point is just plain good reading and answered the questions, the many questions I had about this wonderful actor.

Great bio of one of the greatest actors of any generation. The guy was so humble. Does anyone in Hollywood know what that word means anymore? Cagney tells it like it is. Great man, great actor! Do yourself a favor, read this book.