The Sundance Kid: A Biography of Robert Redford (Hardcover)

~ William Schoell (Author)
Key Phrases: major stardom, horse whisperer, major movie star, New York, Robert Redford, Butch Cassidy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

1969 was Robert Redford's breakout year, when he starred with Paul Newman in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Since that time he was continuously successful, either as an actor or director. His concern for the environment, particularly in the American West, has made him an important spokesman for conservation, often lending his name to causes and charities that help support preservation and endangered species. This comprehensive biography is based on extensive interviews with friends and colleagues, as well as assistance provided by Redford himself.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1st Taylor Trade Pub. Ed edition (July 25, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589792971
• ISBN-13: 978-1589792975
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #541,975 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor "Unauthorized" Bio of Redford - Disappointing, July 9, 2006

By	Weston Swenson "Westrout" (Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Wow, I do not know where to begin on this one. Robert Redford has always fascinated me from the time I was a child. Especially since I grew up in Utah, and part of my childhood was spent growing up on the slopes and mountains of Sundance. I saw his activism first hand, and also the evolution of the Sundance Film Festival,and his resort in Utah, which is somewhat frozen in time. On top of that, I'm a huge film buff, and some of his films have entertained me, and some have not. So, I was really looking forward to this book. What a disappointment. Written in a timeline based on his film chronology, which isn't altogether bad, but the author takes constant swipes at Redfords persona and attitudes, while not really examining why he may have been that way, and why altogether it may not be such a bad thing. Poorly written as a bio, and even worse as a movie critic. The opinions given on each particular film are not insightful, nor innovative. They lack true analysis, and are based upon heresay, and different reviews from periodicals of the time. Plus, I would wager that many would disagree with the reviews of certain films here. It also just glosses over Redfords passion of activism involving the environment. Why is he so passionate about it? We never really find out. Was it that he was a child in a desolate urban sprawl of LA, or what? I could go on and on about how poorly written this is as a bio, but I won't. It is even poor at developing a extensive filmography of Redford. this book falls short in so many ways. I do not recommend you waste your money on this book.....if you must, then buy it in six months on the discount shelf, because thats where it will end up. Honestly, I got more insight into Redford watching Iconoclasts on IFC in an hour than I did from this book, and it was infinitely more entertaining. I do not recommend this book.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars the book should have been much more, June 26, 2006

By	Marina Estabrook (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a disappointment. It provides little insight into the life or personality of Robert Redford, the actor or the person. The book is basically a chronicle of the movies RR has directed or in which he has appeared as an actor. But even as a filmography the book fails. The reader learns little about the creation of each movie or the relationships among the actors beyond the anecdotes that have been repeated numerous times on TV or in the press. In addition, the authors have the annoying habit of consistently putting down Robert Redford with snide remarks. There must have been something about the actor other than his white teeth and good looks that made him an international superstar. For sure, it must be difficult to write a biography of such a private person as Robert Redford. However, it is the responsibility of biographers to gather information and gain an understanding of their subject, and if they can't do so, then there is no book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Rehasing nothing new, August 6, 2006

By	Angie (Netherlands) - See all my reviews

I just finished reading the book, and my suggestion is: skip it! Really! No way Redford contributed to this. The authors have used some well-known circulating interviews Redford gave throughout his carreer, with -even for casual fans- well-known quotes.

The authors contribute nothing new, there are no revelations of any sort, no funny bits. It's a rehash of public knowledge. And besides all that, the authors don't seem to like him very much. They are very critical of Redford, even negative and at times sarcastic. I was wondering why someone would want to write a book about a person they don't like and don't think is very special. They do compliment him on his acting here and there, and more so on his directing abilities, but it just doesn't balance out.
It's mostly about his movies, with tiny segments in between about his personal life. The book is poorly written. The authors state opinions and assumptions as facts on every other page, they contradict themselves on several occasions and they also repeat themselves, in almost the same words and sentences throughout the book. The last part, let's say from after Horse Whisperer to now (Unfinished Life) is rushed and the movies he did in that timeframe are a lot less detailed in description than his older projects.
Also, they go into the ups and downs of the Sundance Institute, festival and related organisations, but it's fragmentary. Every time I felt we were getting somewhere, the subject was over abruptly.

The book left a bad taste in my mouth.