Sean Connery: A Highly Unauthorized Biography About the Only Man Who Dared to Turn His Back on Agent 007 [Paperback]

Michael Feeney Callan (Author), John Boorman (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1985

Among European actors Sean Connery is unparalleled in his achievements. Having extended his career from theatrical successes through every genre of film, as James Bond he became the backbone of the most lucrative movie franchise in history. Born in an Edinburgh tenement, Sean Connery later served time as a milkman, cabinet polisher and art model. He turned to acting on a whim, and early onstage success in South Pacific translated into a TV and movie career. Taking his talents such as The Name of the Rose, The Hunt for Red October and The Rock. His role as Jimmy Malone in Brian De Palma's The Untouchables won him an Academy Award, which many saw as recongnition of a body of superlative screen creations over twenty years.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A necessity for Connery and Bond fans' Los Angeles Times --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Michael Feeney Callan is a screenwriter and director. Born in Dublin, he joined the BBC as a story editor and went on to write for TV series such as The Professionals. He also directed My Riviera, starring Joan Collins and Roger Moore. He is the author of biographies on Julie Christie, Anthony Hopkins and Richard Harris, and most recently Robert Redford (due out autumn 2002). --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 295 pages
• Publisher: Stein & Day Paperback (February 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812881206
• ISBN-13: 978-0812881202
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,203,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unveiling a Very Private Man!, November 23, 2006

By 

Michael OConnor "Wordsmith" (Wausau, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sean Connery (Hardcover)

The life of Sean Connery, arguably the most popular movie star of the past 40 years and everyone's favorite James Bond, is examined in this updated edition of a book first published in 1983. It is the best biography of Connery this reviewer has come across.

Callan does a marvelous job of revealing this gifted actor and most private of men. Talking with many of Connery's friends and movie business associates along with quotes from Connery himself, he has fashioned a comprehensive account of the born-into-poverty Thomas Connery who became a screen legend as James Bond.

Tiring of the 007 hype and worried of being typecast, Connery broke away to chart his own, iconoclastic career in movies. His subsequent track record was mixed: Marnie, The Hill, Zardoz, Time Bandits, The Man Who Would be King, The Wind and The Lion, Medicine Man, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Hunt for Red October, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, etc. but whatever the movie, Connery was always eminently watchable.

Connery marched to the sound of his own drummer and, as revealed in this book, was always quite ready to speak his mind or take legal action. In most ways, he was as fascinating a person off the screen as he was on.

Sean Connery fans will want this book. In 286 fast-paced pages, Michael Callan gives us a multi-dimensional portrait of one fascinating human being.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A concise a quick outline to satiate any fan!, April 21, 2011

By 

Jaha (CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sean Connery. Michael Feeney Callan (Paperback)

Callan's biography of the legendary Sean Connery is a very brisk and concise outline of the famed actors life. Skimping on a lot of hardcore or in-depth research into Connery's past or motives, the book will appeal mostly to the casual fan or as an introduction to his life. While I can see some readers craving more dirt or more information, overall the book works. It was a fast read that feels like a detailed outline.

Since this is a bio Callan is relying on sources not always Sean. So analysis on personal motives is rare but there are plenty of anecdotes to keep anyone interested. I came into the book looking for Bond bits but being very pleased with the whole package.

Again this is a great primer. Originally published in 1983 it has been updated several times to bring you to Finding Forrester. I am sure a more in-depth biography can be found but if you want concise this for you.