The Death of James Dean [Paperback]

Warren N. Beath (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 18, 1994

Drawing on the inquest manuscript and other previously unpublished material, Warren Beath cuts through the welter of conflicting reports and rumors to provide a taut reconstruciton of Dean's final hours.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Dean, a handsome young actor, seemed headed for Hollywood idoldom when he died in an auto accident in California on September 30, 1955. Almost immediately thereafter he became a cult figure, and that situation has continued, shows the author. Since Dean made only three films, the focus of the cultists has been as much, perhaps more, on his death than on his life. The first half of this book, relating the accident, the inquest, the anniversary gatherings at Dean's burial site and similar topics, will strike the general reader as inconsequential. But in the second half, Beath profiles some of the odd, obsessed fans who keep the Dean legend alive; this section is brilliant, recalling Nathanael West. There is one disquieting note, however: Beath himself is a collector of Dean memorabilia. Photos not seen by PW. 10,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Thirty-one years after James Dean's death, the hysteria continues. The thesis behind this book is that there may have been a cover-up in the investigation of the car crash that killed Dean. Furthermore, Beath believes the driver of the other car involved should have been charged in the accident. Offered in testimony are excerpts from the official inquest, an independent investigation of the day, and a few interviews. Rounding out the work are communications between Dean cultists, the starry-eyed idolatry of actress Vampira (Maila Nurmia friend of Dean), and ruminations on Dean's spiritual impact on America. Much ado about very little, but still a fascinating glimpse into the insular world of the cultist. Christopher Schemering, formerly with Arlington Cty. P.L., Va.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Grove Press; 1st Grove Press Ed edition (February 18, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802131433
• ISBN-13: 978-0802131430
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Bio of Dean in Print, January 11, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Bakersfield, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death of James Dean (Paperback)

I have recently finished The Death of James Dean and loved it. Beath gets right to the death and explains the rest later in the book. Dean's fame, his life, his acting, his interests (racing, among other things) and the rumors around his "other" life are well researched and presented in a very straight forward manner. The book also contains photos of Dean, his friends, studio shots, photos taken by the author, photos from other deanphile's collections and a good map of The Crash. This is an interesting and riviting book of James Dean and is written superbly. P.S. Beath has also written other books (searchable on Amazon.com) including the fictional Who Killed James Dean. This is a very good book full of speculation and the great stuff of intrigue.

16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Dean Books in Print, July 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Death of James Dean (Paperback)

The most amazing aspect of Beath's book is the original and innovative research. Basically, Beath was the first Hollywood biographer to dig into public records--traffic reports, lawsuit testimony--and uncover facts about Dean's death that had been previously overlooked. If Pulitzer Prizes were not the preserve of Manhattan writers and their pals, Warren Newton Beath of Bakersfield, California would have won one for this book.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HAUNTING BOOK ON DEAN - ONE OF THE VERY BEST, June 18, 1998

By 

Coleen "frankie-machine" (Down in the alley) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Death of James Dean (Paperback)

This book pulled me into a haunting but intriguing place, that exists and will always exist in the rolling hills of a California highway, to a place that has barely changed in 40-odd years, and a rabid passion for a face and human who has made a HUGE impact. Great book!