Customer Reviews

James Dean (Sutton Pocket Biographies)

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I concur with the other reviewer on most points stated. It's an easy, simple read, and unobtrusive mentally as well as physically. However...I feel that some subjects ARE danced around, rather than dealt with. Issues of sex/sexuality are, at best, skimmed. I have no interest in minute by minute detailing of sexual encounters. But to bypass whole realms of sexual exploration of such a dynamic young man is unfair to the curious reader. I also disagree with the notion that this IS OK for a first time reader. I'm of the mind that your first venture into someones life (especially Dean!) should be commited and enlightening. Here you will find little more than could be learned from a 30 minute t.v. blurb on Dean. I voraciously consume all Dean bios, hence I bought this regardless of my suspicions (and later confirmations) about its shortcomings. I 'liked' the book, but can see no REAL NEED for this book in a serious collection. It's fantastic for someone doing an essay or report on Dean-it might even make them a true fan. But please buy a book that will not only draw you in completely, but leave you with a full knowledge of all sides of James Dean. Buy "Little Boy Lost" by Joe Hyams,"James Dean-Boulevard of Broken Dreams" by Paul Alexander, and "James Dean-Mutant King" by David Dalton. These are of a worthy caliber to display proudly in a personal collection of LITERATURE.

The editor describes the Sutton Pocket Biographies as "Highly readable brief lives of those who have played a significant part in history, and whose contributions still influence contemporary culture". This phrase neatly summarizes "James Dean" by William Hall very well.

It is a short book, about 100 small pages. Almost 50 years since his death, James Dean still has a substantial influence on contemporary culture. The book covers the principal facts and chronology of James Dean's short life. There is no whitewashing of gay issues, no unsubstantiated unsavory speculations and no new material. As such it is a useful and inexpensive book for someone who wants "Just give me the facts, m'am". It is a useful introduction to the life of James Dean if this is the first biography that you are reading. True die-hard fans will want more.