Live Fast-Die Young: My Life With James Dean

Rating:
Summary: "Real life as it's lived--unpredictably and blindly."
Review: The above quote is on the banner of the trade paper edition of LIVE FAST-DIE YOUNG, which I have just finished reading. This book swept me up and put me right back in the 1950's; I now understand what the whole amazing charisma of James Dean means, and why he is as important today, if not more so, than he was in his pitifully short life and career. John Gilmore, who ran with James Dean (even slept with him!), shared girls with him and a scary love of speed and wildness, gives us a picture of a time and place that rings absolutely true. I came to this book because I was so taken with Gilmore's earlier book, LAID BARE, which includes a few of the themes dealing with James Dean (he deals with many other movie stars in that earlier book), and his relationship with the late actor is explored here in the most daring and significant portrayal of James Dean that I have encountered. Can't we give this book Six stars?

Rating:
Summary: Great book with much insight into James Dean!!
Review: This is an outstanding book and a must read for the discerning James Dean fan. Gilmore gives many fascinating details about Dean - from a man who knew him well. The "review" from Kirkus Reviews, (above) unlike Gilmore's book, seems to dwell on the bisexuality of James Dean. Gilmore has written a fine book that explores every aspect of Deans' life, not dwelling on (or skipping over) anything. I was impressed with the fact that both family and friends apparently collaborated on the book. Gilmore seems to be a thoughtful, inteligent writer whose book I found to be incredibly well written. Forget the fluff from "authors" who knew James Dean for two seconds (or never met him at all). Read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Not the best
Review: Whilst reading this i wasn't really sure i was reading about the same actor of all these years. Seems weird to me that out of over 300 books the issue of him possibily being a father was brought up in this book. Why hasn't anyone else wrtten about that. he's taken a few things out of other books to make this one, Kazan's "A Life" for one!. The Pier Angeli affair is completely inaccurate as its been proven many mnay times how he felt about her as he was seen by a few people at her wedding and spoke to many people about that affair and shared his hurt with them. His best friend Bill Bast being one. That affair was secret at first because of Pier's mother. Jonathan Gilmore wasn't even in Hollywood when it happened, yet he feels he knows everything. I took issue with that and the way he portrayed Jimmy to be like a whore. I lost respect for the author and a bit for Jimmy. i still prefer 'Little Boy lost' by Joe Hyams