Customer Reviews

Hopalong Cassidy - An American Legend

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Extremely well written and interesting to read. I'd say "you can't put it down", but it's so heavy you have to put it down to read it. It's a terrific biography as well as filmography, and includes many collectables and photos of Hoppy wanna-bes. Interesting business insights too! Grace Boyd's life is more intriguing than most romance novels. Hoppy as a role model is unsurpassed. Russ Cochran and Steve Geppi did a great job putting this package together.

Gemstone Publishing presents - "HOPALONG CASSIDY - AN AMERICAN LEGEND (Hardcover)" -- This dazzling tribute is the compelling story of actor William Boyd's journey from childhood to fame and fortune as America's most revered Western film star --- Through 66 feature films produced between 1935 and 1948 and Boyd's personal dedication, Hopalong Cassidy became America's most beloved Western icon. Co-written by Grace Bradley Boyd (Mrs. Hoppy) and richly illustrated with photographs and posters, this offers a first hand account of their amazing love story and the original man in black who brought the qualities of honesty, courage and justice from the silver screen into our homes --- Preface by Bill Clinton, a Hoppy fan with the outfit to prove it!

Hopalong Cassidy - An American Legend, a deluxe hard cover coffee table book co-written by Mrs. Hoppy herself, Grace Bradley Boyd, and biographer Michael Cochran. Included are a preface by President Bill Clinton and foreword by songwriter and recording artist Don McLean, both among the legions of youth strongly influenced by Hoppy in the early 1950s.

Portrayed by veteran film actor William Boyd in 66 classic B-Westerns released between 1935 and 1948, Hopalong Cassidy is remembered by millions of baby boomers as the silver-haired man in black who set the standards of courage, action, and moral conduct for more than three generations in the mid-20th Century --- Empowered by Boyd's unfaltering dedication to the character as a post-war role model, Hoppy led the charge to television in 1949 to become the new medium's first superstar, creating a tidal wave of popularity that lasted well into the 1950s --- But that zenith of fame is just one aspect of the incredible chronicle revealed in this compelling memoir.

Like all heroic tales, the story is an intertwining of many lives, including Grace Bradley, a 12 year-old girl who fell in love with a charismatic silent film star and ten years later fulfilled her childhood vow to marry him, and William Boyd, a fading actor inspired by love and gratitude to dedicate his life to the character that became a beacon to the world --- Narrated in the clear, strong voice of Grace Bradley Boyd, and told with the wisdom and perspective of her 94 years, the saga unfolds with enough interconnecting stories to spoke a wagon wheel, a rich tapestry of lives, places and events interwoven by fate over the span of a century --- As the definitive account of a uniquely American icon, the richly illustrated 368 page book is an absolute must read for all aficionados of the Western genre and Hopalong Cassidy fans in particular.

SPECIAL FEATURE:
BIOS:
1. William Boyd
Date of Birth: 5 June 1895 - Hendrysburg, Ohio
Date of Death: 12 September 1972 - Laguna Beach, California

Hats off and thanks to Grace Bradley Boyd, Michael Cochran and the staff of Gemstone Publishing --- order your copy now from Amazon or Gemstone Publishing where there are plenty of copies available, stay tuned once again for top notch releases --- please stand up and take a bow Gemstone Publishing --- Western Classic, all my heroes have been cowboys!

Total Pages: 368 Pages ~ Gemstone Publishing ~ (10/15/2008)

If your a fan or have any interst in this iconic figure, it's a great book. Super pictures of Bill Boyd and Topper, insight into the films and film making process, and some understanding of the relationship the actor had with his wife, Grace. Plenty of movie memorabilia, and discourse about the 40/50's Hoppy craze that swept the nation as a result of his film popularity and self positioning as a TV pioneer. Yes, before there was Davy Crocket and coonskin caps, there was Hopalong Cassidy and kids running around in black Hoppy outfits. Great effort about someone greatly beloved in his day. Kids of today are disadvantaged in not having screen role models like Hoppy to be entertained by and look up to. Much like Clayton Moore with the character of the Lone Ranger, Bill Boyd became Hopalong Cassidy, and was proud of it. Sixty six films and two seasons of TV episodes, Hoppy was the man in black.

A Great book with an even Greater Story! Full of Rare and wonderful photos and Hoppy Collectibles. A Tribute to an American Legend that withstands the test of time! I really LOVE this unique and fabulous book, and highly reccomend it to everyone!

"Hoppy" was a true hero to multiple generations of youngsters. This book, written lovingly by his beautiful widow, provides a clear insight into how a Hollywood playboy turned into the honest, straight-shootin', square-dealin' role model he became for so many of us. A Great Read!

HOPPY, AN AMERICAN LEGEND
This book is a must for every Hoppy fan. Great inside information on Bill and Grace. Many rare photos, well written and a superiour printing job.This book is worth every penny of the cost.

John Leonard

I bought this for my husband as a birthday gift. He is very much into the old cowboys. He is really enjoying it. The book is a good size and a heavy one too. Looks nice on a table or coffee table. A plus for the old guys who remember all the cowboy stars of the fifties.

I just received the Hopalong Cassidy - An American Legend book which I had ordered for my husband's birthday. The service was outstanding. I didn't think it would arrive in time for his birthday, but from the time I ordered it to the time it arrived was only four days, well in time for his birthday. I haven't opened it yet because it was totally sealed in plastic. I'll let you know what he thinks of the book. He has been a big Hopalong Cassidy fan since he was a little boy. It's going to make a great birthday surprise! I would definitely use this seller again.

Kathleen Ambro from California

If you grew up loving the western movie hero Hopalong Cassidy as I did, this is a stunning "must have" book for your library. Written by Grace Bradley Boyd (Mrs."Hoppy") and Michael Cochran, this large format, 368 page work is certainly the most personal and revealing book I've ever owned on Willam Boyd, who, by portraying Hopalong Cassidy in 66 actioned packed western movies, became one of America's most beloved icons. With many never before seen photos from Mrs. Boyd's personal archive, and with a vast knowlege of her husband's career, the book stands head and shoulders above most other typical "Hollywood" biographies.

I still have a stained photo of me in MY Hoppalong Cassidy outfit, complete with double six-shooting cap guns (oh, where are they now?). Watching some of the excellently preserved Hoppy movies on DVD and then finding this book has been an incredible childhood renewal. I'd forgotten about all the great roll-modeling that was so evident back then. Is there any wonder the world has fallen to such a low level without great POSITIVE role models? I love the quote, which often brought out the best in youngsters-"What would Hoppy Think?" Many of our stars and politicians of today only drag us down further into greed, one-upmanship, and trickery. It's become more of a "Do unto others before they do unto me..." and "Give me mine!" society....but I digress.
Reading about the on-screen Hoppy and the off-screen Bill Boyd, brings years of questions about the character and the man to a happy end. Now, to share the stories and the movies with others who can use an inspirational lift from their daily lives and a bit of old fashioned good-hearted fun.