While JOHN WAYNE: AMERICAN, by Randy Roberts and James Olson, remains for me the definitive biography of John Wayne, being fastidiously and intricately researched and wonderfully and clearly written, Scott Eyman's new biography of Wayne is an extremely close contender. A few minor errors and some surprising but largely insignificant omissions are all that stand between it and the Olson/Roberts book, which continues to be one of the two best actor biographies I've ever read (Patricia Bosworth's Montgomery Clift book is the other). Eyman knows this territory, having written extensively about it, notably in a fairly recent biography of Wayne's mentor and father-figure, John Ford. What Eyman does better than any other author tackling the subject (much, much better than most) is to make Wayne a truly well-rounded and multi-faceted character in his own life story. Eyman shows why considering Wayne either an iconic patriotic symbol or a reactionary Neanderthal is an egregious error. He not only posits that Wayne was largely beloved not just by his friends but even by his political enemies (at least the ones who actually knew him), he provides the evidence to make that dichotomy understandable and relatable. And, of course, like any intelligent examiner of Wayne's work, Eyman understands that Wayne was a brilliant screen actor whose thespic limitations were of range, not skill. He helps the reader understand how a man mythologized for his independence and strength could be continuously cowed by a cruel mentor like Ford. He also helps (though not as clearly as Roberts and Olson did in their book) make clear how Wayne's failure to serve in World War II was, if not admirable, at least understandable, and how his overweening patriotic fervor after the war stemmed not from hypocrisy but from shame at his own failings and a desperate attempt to make up for them. Eyman gives enormously detailed coverage to most of Wayne's films, even ones usually deemed too unimportant for individual analysis, so it's odd that he allows one or two fairly significant films to go completely undiscussed. All in all, though, this is an exemplary biography of a man much more complex and admirable than many people might presume. ( )

I have read other books about John Wayne, and I have to say that this is yet the most detailed one. You not only learn about Wayne himself, but many other friends and acquaintances. The book relates how young Marion Morrison grew up, his relationships with both parents and how it shaped his life. His youth was difficult and, in my opinion, somewhat sad, yet he managed to grow with honesty, generosity and grace.

John Wayne was a complex human being, not the person seen on the screen, yet everything he did was for his family; and every movie he made was for his fans. We are shown the triumphs in his life and the regrets; the happiness and the sorrow he went through, and the deep, abiding love for his family and his friends.

We are given not only details regarding the movies Mr.Wayne made, but what was going on in his personal life at the same time, and those of the people he worked with. I learned many things I never knew - and I read a lot of biographies. Some were understandable; others, not so much (in the fact that while his actions were generous, I felt he was ill-used). There are also quite a few anecdotes regarding several actors, including Glenn Ford, Robert Mitchum and Ward Bond that I found fascinating at the least.

In all, this book is well worth reading, not only for the fans of westerns and John Wayne, but for anyone who wants to know how he became an American icon, and still remains so today. ( )

John Wayne is the most famous American movie star of all time. In a 50-year career, he created memorable characters as the the Ringo Kid, Ethan Edwards, Sean Thornton, Tom Dunston, Kirby Yorke, George Washington McClintock and Rooster Cogburn. Author Scott Eyman offers up this 658-page biography of the Duke and it's a winner.

Eyman supplies a smooth-flowing, insightful, critical yet affectionate chronicle of the life and cinematic times of this Hollywood legend. It's a great read.

Mike O. / Marathon County Public Library
Find this book in our library catalog.

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This biography of John Wayne is very thorough and provides especially interesting insights into the making of his many movies. ( )

ARC provided by NetGalley

John Wayne. The “Duke.” A legend. Even more than thirty years after he died, he still remains one of the five favorite movie stars of all time. But does anyone really know the story of The “Duke?” Now they do. Drawing on interviews conducted before John Wayne’s death and more than 100 other interviews with the actor’s family, co-stars, and associates, Scott Eyman writes a 500 plus page tome to illuminate the Duke’s life.

Scott Eyman has written the most thorough biography possibly on Wayne. Checking in at over 500 plus pages, I’m not sure that he left any part of Wayne’s life uncovered. And while I’m a fan of Wayne’s films, it’s much more difficult to read about the man himself in such depth. Eyman tells us about Wayne’s early childhood and how his parents may have played a part in his strong politically conservative nature to how before his big break Wayne would work on as many movie sets as possible to his later life after the stars had faded. It is primarily in discussing his movie roles that Eyman is the strongest, describing how Wayne was a perfectionist and a master at knowing what was needed to make the audience believe what was on the camera. He details how Wayne got his start in small roles, what led to his big break, and what he was like during his later roles. Where Eyman falters though is when he veers away from discussing Wayne’s movie life, as he has a habit of romanticizing or whitewashing what happened, such as Wayne’s avoidance of serving in World War II. Or his three disastrous marriages and love life. It’s clear that Eyman is a huge fan of Wayne and wants the world to remember him fondly. But perhaps it would have been better if the truth were a bit more evident.

If you’re a fan of Wayne, Westerns, or movie history then this is the book for you and you’ll love it. If you want to know about Wayne, but not so much in depth, then this is still a good book, just skip around a few chapters. Overall though I give the book 3 out of 5 stars. ( )