First published 1990
A. Scott Berg chronicles the remarkable transformation of Schmuel Gelbfisz, a Polish immigrant who overcame enormous hardships to reach New York with little more than ambition. The biography traces his journey from poverty to becoming Samuel Goldwyn, one of Hollywood's most influential studio executives. Berg examines how this determined young man navigated the brutal obstacles that stood between him and the American dream. The book reveals Goldwyn's rise through the early film industry, his battles with competitors and collaborators, and his relentless pursuit of success in a business that rewarded both vision and ruthlessness. Berg shows how Gelbfisz reinvented himself completely, shedding his old identity to become a powerhouse in the entertainment world. The portrait captures both Goldwyn's achievements and the personal costs of his single-minded drive to reach the pinnacle of Hollywood power.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, business, american
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, reinvention
Setting: New York, Poland
Period: 20th Century
582 pages · Paperback · Time Warner Paperbacks