In Search of River Phoenix: The Truth Behind The Myth (Paperback)

~ (Author), William Richert (Foreword) "In 1968, there was more than just unrest in the United States; there was change in the air..." (more)
Key Phrases: best young actor, flirty fishing, campfire scene, River Phoenix, Van Sant, Los Angeles (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"AN EXCITING BLEND OF DRAMA AND DOCUMENTARY, A MUST READ" -- MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW- AUG.2005

"AN EXCITING BLEND OF DRAMA AND DOCUMENTARY, A MUST READ" --MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW- AUG.2005

"This book is great value to the memory of River and to those who want to know more about him" -- Willian Richert, writer, film director

"This book is great value to the memory of River and to those who want to know more about him" --Willian Richert, writer, film director

Product Description

The complete book about the life of Academy Award nominee River Phoenix, from his parents beginning, his birth, member of a cult religion, to his TV acting, actiavisim, veganism and movie career.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 456 pages
• Publisher: Wordsworth Publishing; first edition (October 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967249198
• ISBN-13: 978-0967249193
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #155,709 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Search" has found what others have missed..., February 19, 2006

By	Heather Taylor (Rittman, OH United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A River Phoneix fan since my preteen years, I was sure I knew all there is to know about this talented actor. I purchased the book more to add it to my collection than anything else. Imagine my surprise to find that this is not only well written, but also features many interesting and little known factoids for even the most dedicated River Phoenix fans.

If you're looking for a book that focuses on nothing more than River's untimely death and all things bad and gruesome with the world, this book isn't for you. "Search" focuses on the LIFE of River Phoenix, from childhood to adulthood. It will become obvious to the reader that the author has unparalleled respect both for River himself and his memory. A very pleasant read for those of us who know there is more to River Phoenix than meets the eye.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Credibility, February 3, 2006

By	Edward Correll (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This biography of one of our most provocative and talented actors, and yet one of our most enigmatic as well, gains a high degree of credibility from the technique of its author. Barry C. Lawrence fills a great deal of the book with interviews from more than fifty friends and co-workers of River Phoenix; Lawrence lets THEM tell River's story, and uses his own narrative primarily to link the remembrances of those he has interviewed rather than simply conform to the standard story-telling format. The result is a chronicle of much greater immediacy and interest than is the case with so many biographies. There is a genuine warmth and personalness in the telling of River's story, and not an academic sterility.
Though Phoenix's life had several quite sensational aspects, Lawrence's prose remains firmly fixed in fact. He doesn't obscure or ignore the provocative elements in River's life, but he doesn't speculate, and he keeps his narrative on journalistic high ground, forsaking a sensationalistic approach. This, by itself, is a strong recommendation of the book's integrity.
One of the special features of the book are a couple of chapters filled with stories of people from around the world whose lives have been profoundly touched and even changed at deep core levels by their response to River Phoenix. I imagine this will be highly unexpected by the ordinary reader, and it will add a wholly different dimension to his understanding and appreciation of River. This book would serve a great purpose even if it confined itself to recording the extraordinary psychological, spiritual and ethical impact River Phoenix had (and continues to have) on so many people, but as comprehensive as Lawrence has made it in addition, it is a singular contribution to the field of celebrity biography.
It is the absolute hands-down winner among the half-dozen books already available about River Phoenix.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best book about River Phoenix, February 12, 2006

By	Seniora "Escarnio" (Germany) - See all my reviews

When River Phoenix died of a drug overdose, the world did not only lose a great actor but a person who in retrospect disappeared behind his roles and image. Little remained of the teenager who spoke openly against drugs, promoted vegetarian food and a peaceful existence between man, animals and all cultures on this planet. Fans and non-fans alike felt betrayed as it slowly turned out that Phoenix had died of a drug overdose and that he had apparently been taking drugs for at least the last 3-4 years of his life.

Phoenix started his career at an early age and died very young, at just 23 years of age. Every person changes a lot between early childhood and early adulthood but Phoenix was not allowed to change, at least not publicly. But of course he changed as we all do and when his change came into the eye of the public so harshly and suddenly, he got jumped on and crushed.

The 3 or 4 available biographies about the actor dwell on his downfall. Barry C. Lawrence at least tries to give a comprehensive view about the life of River Phoenix and to remain as objective as possible. But still as with every biography about a famous dead person the person comes alive through the vision or the memories of others and we probably all know how distorted that view gets over the years, so what kind of a person River Phoenix was, he took that with him in his grave or simply put, he was as complex and multi-layered and confused and excited and happy and sad as we all are through our lives and in his death he becomes even more than during his lifetime a projection of the various emotions of all of us.

No book about the actor can give you the truth. Not even when Joaquin Phoenix would break his silence and talk about his brother would you get the truth. Only the truth according to the memory of Joaquin Phoenix, so I do not like that promotional tool, the truth about River Phoenix. There is no truth only interpretation. But Barry C. Lawrence interpretation is a good and comprehensive one and the interpretation of someone who tried to understand a life that was so far away from anything resembling normalcy.

It is apart from that a good read. It is fluently written and takes you along the journey of River's short life through his various movies, charity work and his musical accomplishments. But although Lawrence tries to enhance all the positive aspects of Phoenix life and how much he positively influenced others, nothing can lighten up the fact, that a promising human being threw away his life. I write life not career. Phoenix threw away the beauty of sorting himself and his life out and to simply turn older and wiser. And still after all these years I can't help thinking what a shame!