The Real James Dean: Intimate Memories from Those Who Knew Him Best [Paperback]

In the decades following his death, many of those who knew James Dean best––actors, directors, friends, lovers (both men and women), photographers, and Hollywood columnists––shared stories of their first-person experiences with him in interviews and in the articles and autobiographies they wrote. Their recollections of Dean became lost in fragile back issues of movie magazines and newspapers and in out-of-print books that are extremely hard to find. Until now. 

The Real James Dean is the first book of its kind: a rich collection spanning six decades of writing in which many of the people whose lives were touched by Dean recall their indelible experiences with him in their own words. Here are the memorable personal accounts of Dean from his high school and college drama teachers; the girl he almost married; costars like Rock Hudson, Natalie Wood, Jim Backus, and Raymond Massey; directors Elia Kazan, Nicholas Ray, and George Stevens; entertainer Eartha Kitt; gossip queen Hedda Hopper; the passenger who accompanied Dean on his final, fatal road trip; and a host of his other friends and colleagues.

"A fascinating compendium..." —Library Journal

“Editor Peter L. Winkler … provides cogent commentary on the validity of the various stories presented here.” —Edge Media Network

“A rich and remarkably well-done anthology.” —The National Book Review

“The Real James Dean by Peter L. Winkler is a fascinating read with each essay offering a unique reflection from one of Dean’s contemporaries. It’s much more approachable than a full in-depth biography.” —Out of the Past

“The book reveals an individual of complexity, admired by some and despised by others, but always fascinating. … It’s a must read for anyone interested in James Dean and Hollywood.l£)