Rating: 
Summary: Duke, We Miss You!
Review: After reading this book, I got the impression that John Wayne was a very typical father, considering the era he was born in, and was like many dads of the 1950s, '60s and 70s. He was loyal, tender, caring, proud, and sometimes even angry, insensitive or crude. But, none of his children questioned his extreme love for them. He was a strong-willed man with an incredible personal drive; and it seems like the rest of the family often had to play catch-up.
Aissa, a stunningly beautiful woman today, describes her teenage years with clarity as she goes through the "I'm embrassed by my parents" stage. I get the feeling that she wishes that she could step back in time and spend more time with "Daddy" during the last few years of his life. In this book, her love for Duke is clear, and her self-analysis seems to be an ongoing adventure. She tends to whine at certain moments in the text, but I can live with that. I recommend this book to anyone who loves John Wayne. We certainly miss him and how he portrayed an American"
Rating:
Summary: A Sincere Reflection
Review: Having gone to school with Aissa, I always found her to be sensitive, kind and consistently honest to the point of self-deprecation. This book only confirms to me, what I had long suspected, that these qualities were a beautiful reflection of her father. Although Steve Delsohn's writing reads more like a 3rd draft and he doesn't seem to find his rhythm until half way through the book, I think Aissa's voice still effectively comes through quite well. This is not a book for those who "lived near back lots" and only want sun-baked warrior/actor stories about the 'image' they know from the screen. This book is an amazingly honest and intimate narrative seen through Aissa's eyes and feelings. She takes great care not to denigrate or hurt anyone except herself. I suppose after reading this book and all the intimate emotions she shares, I would now have to add one more accolade to Aissa's character, and that would be "Courageous".
Rating: 
Summary: Duke would be disappointed...
Review: Having read numerous books about Duke Wayne (John Wayne-American, and My Life With The Duke (Pilar Wayne)I was extremely disappointed with "John Wayne, My Father" by Aissa Wayne. Aissa provides a sophomoric tale that holds few insights to those who've read more interesting works by other authors. It doesn't hold a candle to the book written by her own mother, In fact, it is almost in contridiction with Pilar's view of the Duke in many cases. I'll take the word of a mother and a wife over that of a pouting narciccistic child and spoiled Newport Beach teenager. One thing is very clear from Aissa's book. She was obviously very sheltered as an adolescent and still has a lot of growing up to do. Living in West Texas (only miles from some of Duke's former movie back-drops) sometimes I look out my window and imagine what it must have been like to live and work with an American legend. John Wayne would have been disappointed about Aissa's book. Not because she attempts to make him seem extremely insecure, but because she used the family privacy in a vain attempt to make a buck.
Rating: 
Summary: Great read
Review: I disagree with John Kerr's review that said he'd take the opinion of the mother over the daughter. Why choose which one is correct? It's likely both viewpoints are accurate as a mother and daughter would naturally have different perspectives of the man. I thought it was a great read showing a different side of John Wayne. She seems honest and sympathetic towards her father. The writing itself could have been better, otherwise I would have given the book a 5.
Rating:
Summary: Great read
Review: I disagree with John Kerr's review that said he'd take the opinion of the mother over the daughter. Why choose which one is correct? It's likely both viewpoints are accurate as a mother and daughter would naturally have different perspectives of the man. I thought it was a great read showing a different side of John Wayne. She seems honest and sympathetic towards her father. The writing itself could have been better, otherwise I would have given the book a 5.
Rating:
Summary: Aissa still loves her Dad, the Duke
Review: I had the good fortune to run across this book on Amazon. I bought it and was delighted to find out the "inside scoop" about John Wayne. I can tell that Aissa had years worth of depression - and dealing with the loss of her father.
The book is really good, even though his daughter whines and complains about her pre-teen and teenage years. Like all kids, she had a desire to be free from all parental control. John Wayne was a good father, but was a string personality in the home. He did something right for daughter Aissa is now an accomplished trial lawyer in California and a well-known supporter of her Dad. She is also a well-known tap dancer and rap-celebrity.
Rating:
Summary: John Wayne, tough and sensitive, too
Review: I just ordered and read this book, and I found Aissa to be very forthcoming about her years with her father, the Duke. I get the impression that John Wayne tried very hard to be a good parent. Like all parents and human beings, he had some short-comings, but he seemed to adore his children and wanted the best for them. What can be better than that? Every once in a while she tends to whine about her circumstances, but then she recovers and shares some wonderful memories about life at home with her father. John Wayne was tough and gutsy, but he allowed himself to be vulnerable around his family. I think more of him now than I did before. Aissa still seems lost without her father, which makes perfect sense to me. What a loss.
Rating:
Summary: An honest, loving portrait
Review: If you're a John Wayne fan this book will reaffirm why so many of us still love him. Aissa Wayne writes a loving and honest portrait of her father while not sugarcoating the truth. It's a "must read".
Rating:
Summary: She doesn't tap dance
Review: In response to Sgt. Pepper, I really have a hard time with your comments about Aissa Wayne. I don't think she tap dances anymore, and she surely has no interest in rapping -- that's ridiculous!
Aissa is a well-known California attorney and former prosecutor. She has been in several of her father's films, as a youngster, and spends evenings at home with her family (sort of a soccer mom), according to her bio. She is an accomplished writer and career woman, and I think this book is a great look at her famous father, the Duke.
If she ever did rap, I assure you she would do it well. In the meantime, I suspect she will stick to her law career.
Rating:
Summary: A poignant story, a different viewpoint.
Review: This book reached me. With so many "tell-all" books out there about John Wayne, this one showed me the more vulnerable, real side of the man, as seen by his own daughter. Aissa Wayne's candor was so refreshing, and it opened my eyes to a more human side of the strong man we all know as the "American Legend." I've read other books about the Duke including the one by Pilar Wayne. While Pilar's book was nicely done, I appreciated Aissa's perspective very much, and I would recommend this book to everyone. I have given "John Wayne, My Father" as a gift a few times, and it was very well received.
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