First published 2013
Michael R. Goldman opens the vault on Hollywood's most enduring icon. This authorized biography draws from John Wayne Enterprises' private archives to reveal the man behind the myth. Goldman presents previously unseen correspondence and telegrams alongside excerpts from Wayne's own unfinished memoir. The book traces Wayne's journey from ordinary beginnings to becoming a top box office attraction across six decades. Readers discover the Academy Award winner's career milestones through personal anecdotes and rich visual materials including his famous boots, hats, and saddles. With contributions from Jimmy Carter in the foreword and Wayne's son Ethan in the preface, Goldman chronicles how Marion Morrison transformed into "the Duke" and examines his lasting impact on American culture. The biography combines intimate family stories with behind-the-scenes Hollywood history to show Wayne's rise to becoming one of cinema's most recognizable figures.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, american, film
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rags-to-riches
Period: 20th-Century
160 pages · Hardcover · Insight Editions