Gone With the Wind: the Definitive Illustrated History of the Book, the Movie, and the Legend

by Herb Bridges, Terryl C. Boodman

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of an American Classic. Published in the spring of 1936, Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind was an immediate and overwhelming success; millions of copies were sold in its first year alone. By the time the film opened on December 15, 1939, the anticipation and excitement were so great that the city of Atlanta declared the day an official holiday. Since then, more than 300 million people have seen the film and every year hundreds of thousands of copies of the novel are sold in dozens of languages. This lavishly illustrated book is the ultimate behind-the-scenes history of the novel, the film, and the phenomenon of Gone With the Wind. It includes wonderful anecdotes, original quotes from the stars and the directors souvenir programs from the original premiere, many rare never-before published photographs, and more, from the smell of the smoke and the heat of the flames during the filming of the "burning of Atlanta" sequence to the soft touch of the red dust at the location Tara; from the fangue on the faces of cast and crew after grueling months of shooting to the thrill of premiere night, you will experience the unfolding drama as if you were there.

Genres: Nonfiction, Classics, Film, Media Tie In, Civil War, History, Adult

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading A Touch of Stardust by Kate Alcott and watching the movie, I was interested in reading about the making of GWTW. I used to own a couple of books on this topic, but gave them away years ago. I found one of them in a used bookstore and bought it…again. This book has a lot of interesting trivia about the filming of GWTW, as well as lots and lots of pictures. A great follow up to the Alcott book and watching the movie.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautiful and enlightening journey through the writing, making, filming, and premiere of Gone with the Wind. It had tons of information that I previously had no knowledge of. I was also super excited to discover it is signed by the author! This will be a treasured addition to my book collection for years and years to come.

[Myrna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably my first "grown-up" novel. I think I read it because it was a famous book, and because it was "grown-up." And I loved it! I read it several times. I had to go to the encyclopedia because I wanted to know more about the Civil War--how long it lasted, etc. It also gave me a different perspective on the War. The characters will live forever in my mind. And it seems things aren't always black and white! There are always shades of gray.

[Canette Arille · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent Book! I recommend it to everyone!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read this book ( definitive illustrated history)

What I have read is Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind.
I saw the film in my middle teens and was bought the book when I was 21. Both film and book are in my alltime favourite lists.
this is a superb book, beautifully written.
Every character springs to life as you turn each page.
Yes, Scarlett is a bitch but she fought and struggled to feed and keep a roof over the heads of the people she loved and some she didn't.
Melanie as strong in her own way as Scarlett
Ashley, so weak and knowing it.
And Rhett,who could resist him.
It has been said in the reviews here and elsewhere that this is a racist book.
What should not be forgotten and what this book should be judged by is that this period is more than 150 years ago and their thoughts were not the same as ours. Their actions are reprehensble in our eyes but not in theirs. I am sure that in 150 years some of our actions will be considered reprehensible too.
It is not propaganda but a story of a society dying in the aftermath of a dreadful war and one woman's struggle to save her loved ones.

[Satbir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no words.... For a book of this calibre five stars will do no justice. it's been days since I completed this book and it still lingers on in my mind. Rhett Butler and Scarlett O Hara were made for each other. Though, I hated Scarlett throughout, I always wanted them to be together. Amazing love story I ever came across. And the Civil War and the aftermath was so well described. It was a little detailed and got boring sometimes but still I loved every page and word that I read. It's a Masterpiece!!

[Rizwana Rajgara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most beautiful book I have read about the American South. The huge plantations, the polite people, the gorgeous dresses and also Civil War, and the way of life that was an era ago. On the other hand, it has glorified slavery, and the way of life that shouldn't have happened. However, the book is written so wonderfully that you cannot put it down. It made the characters of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler immortal. If you like this book, you will love the movie.

You will like this book if you like books about the American South, romance, family, Civil War.

[Saman]

در دانشگاه يك سري دروس بود كه عنوان دروس عمومي داشتند. همه دانشجويان ملزم به پاس كردن آنها بودند. در ادبيات نيز اين حكم پا برجاست. كاب‌هايي مثل بربادرفته حكم همان دروس عمومي را براي كتاب‌خوان‌ها دارد

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable are so pretty. I loved the candid set pictures.
Not so much the production story, that kind of went on.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big GWTW nut. I've probably read almost every book, seen every making-of / exploratory of / read every magazine article I can get my hands on, about the classic film. So, I know enough. I know just enough to know what this book leaves out (namely, it avoids bringing up the less savory side of the Atlanta premiere, which Clark Gabel almost refused to attend because a certain someone of a darker skin color was not allowed to come). And, since this was published in the 70's, it a bit dated.

That being said, it's a fun little read. The reading material itself is quite short -- the biggest bulk of this volume are the hundreds and hundreds of pictures -- behind the scenes, candid, premiere, posed, onesheets, posters, etc., some of which I've never seen before. Buy it for the pictures. It's quite a joy to look through it.

[Sherri · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very interesting to read through the narrative and view the photos about the making of the movie version of such an iconic book. Having read it as a young teen and seeing the movie a few years later, I recall the epic sweep of the story and the vivid characters. Of course, it made me cry often. There is no doubt that it is a great movie.

But now, some 80 years after it was made, the story gives me pause. Our views of the Confederacy and the deliberately rosie view of slavery have, rightfully, changed.

[Bulk Reviews]

What I really want is a comprehensive book with every single wardrobe, makeup, hair, and set still that ever existed for the movie. This book is a treasure trove of pictures but I hated how some of them overlapped or were cutouts...like why.

Also. I had seen most of them before. But that's okay bc I read this for free online and didn't buy it.

The most fascinating tidbits were the pictures of Mrs. Elsing before her scenes were axed. Never seen those before and didn't know she was ever supposed to be in the movie!

*Not going to rate this since it was mostly pictures*

[Douglas Fugate · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of GWTW this is a must reads. Mr. Bridges and Miss Boodman have created a work of narration, photographs, drawings, and interviews that showcase the work, the exhibition and above all, the splendor of the book, movie and events.

[William Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

How could you not give this five stars a sweeping epic incredible characters pulsating with love lust and sex. A book of its time nearly a century old yes thinking has changed but read it for what it is and remember thiw was written about 60-70 years after the American Civil War

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fave novel of all time. My grandparents were friends of Miss Peggy who wrote the book. I can say so much about the story, plot, characters, time and era.

[Sugarrr · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars !!!

I Love this Book!!!! Sooooo many Pictures !!!!! It's basically just a Picture Book. Exactly what I wanted :)

A Must for every Fan of the Movie !!!!

[Heath Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest classics of all times. An amazing insight into the antebellum south and a nation gone with the wind. Survival and grit. Amazingly erotic for its time.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of all time !!!!!

[Al Jume · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the movie, you will enjoy this book about how the movie was made.

[Nile Kami · Rating 1 out of 5]

Giving one star because how dare this book broke my heart like that ouch

[East Greenbush Community Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent account of the pre, during and post filming of this classic. The pictures are great.

[Greek Coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent and comprehensive book! I'd like to watch the movie again!

[Lilli . · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and the movie is amazing!! One of my fave’s

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a movie, Gone With the Wind makes such a huge impression. The movie is about the Civil War and the aftermath, but the making of the movie is almost as well known and gives us a glimpse into Hollywood in it's Golden Age.

It's easy for people to forget there was first a successful novel that was begun by a woman who began writing out of boredom while letting her ankle heal. The book took ten years to write and it was the only novel Margaret Mitchell would publish in her lifetime. But really - what a novel.

While reading, my mind kept wandering to Joreen's quote: "Bitches are aggressive, assertive, domineering, strong-minded, direct, blunt, candid, hard-headed, vicious, competent, competitive, independent, stubborn, demanding, egoistic, driven, achieving, overwhelming, threatening, scary, ambitious, tough, boisterous and turbulent. A Bitch takes shit from no one. You may not like her, but you cannot ignore her."

Truth be told, Scarlett, the heroine is, to put it coldly, a bitch. This does not make her an un-admirable character. Scarlett is selfish, short-tempered, and can be cruel. That being said, she is the type of woman who will stop at nothing to survive. She works hard - a phoenix who rises from the ashes of the Old South. Even if you're appalled by her methods, you have to admire the gumption.

Rhett, the sometimes hero, is more difficult catagorize. We only see him from Scarlett's point of view and she's usually mad at him. He recognizes what her motives really are and calls her on them. He is a charming rogue, who infuriates even as he entices.

As for reading about the South falling, I cannot admit the even this book could make me mourn the loss of that society. I have been taught the history from the Conquering Heroes point of view, so it is quite an experience to read about the Civil War and the Restoration from the conquereds' point of view. Scarlett doesn't care for politics; she never seems to get past the idea that the war and its aftermath are personal insults to herself and her people.

As literature, the book is well written. All the characters are alive and unique. Frequently in these epics it's easy to lose track of characters, but reading this I never did. Even though I'd seen the movie and knew the basics about how it would all end, I still read quickly, flipping pages, wanting to finish, but not wanting it to end.

[Shannon *Eboni Scarlett* Holliday · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book when I was a little girl before seeing the movie. I was soooo intrigued by this book to the extent that reading it was like watching the movie even before I saw the movie. I read this book from cover to cover at the age of 7 years old. After reading this book I wrote a play for the young people in my family to portray but it didn't go quite as I imagined it. My three daughters have been acquainted with the character Katy Scarlet O' Hara since they were little girls. We'd watch the movie from start to finish on many occasions.

I love the fact that no matter how spoiled Scarlet's character may have been, she transitioned into a beautiful, strong, business minded woman who eventually learned from life's lessons. Besides the style of the beautiful dresses which perfectly accented Scarlet's tiny waist (with the help of an old fashioned corset) complimented by a matching umbrella. In truth her true beauty was exhibited in the strength she gained while facing adversity.

To this very day, Gone With the Wind is my most favorite movie of all times. Scarlet is one of my sheros I like to think of myself as Ebony Scarlet.

Ebony Scarlet

[Creekbed09 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the book years ago, and have seen the movie many times. It is a story of the will to survive, sacrifice, pride. I found GONE WITH THE WIND to also be a story of hope in what the future may hold.

[Mell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this as a teen, as my mom just loves the film. There are many behind the scene stories about the movie and the actors, and lots of photos. The book also explains how the technically difficult/complex scenes were filmed, and showcases GWTW's pioneering techniques.

Personally, I am not a big fan of this movie. It's beautifully filmed, but I don't find the characters or the setting to be swoon-worthy or romantic in any way. I'm not nostalgic about the civil war and have to say I'm glad the times and customs are gone with the wind. But GWTW fans and film buffs will enjoy the book.