Jimmy & Me

by Lew Bracker

There have been over 200 books written about James Dean over the years since his tragic car crash. It seems everyone has remembered, reminisced, examined, re-examined, defied and worshipped James Dean.To one man, however, the modern interpretations of James Dean ring hollow. For him, James Dean is not a mythical figure, but a living memory. This one man has never shared his story - until Bracker, James Dean's closest friend.Jimmy And A Personal Memoir of James Dean is a very personal narrative of a friendship that began with young men talking of girls, old movies and cool cars. Its abrupt interruption will break your heart. Many of the events and conversations in this ebook have never been shared or published before. You will laugh and you will cry.This book is not just a must-read for those having an interest in James Dean or for those curious about the real James Dean as told by the friend who knew him best. This is a compelling, brave and straightforward telling of a close friendship where the author paints a magnificent portrait of his friend, James Dean.

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2013

Reviews

[Marion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent perspective from a man who was actually his good friend for the last 16 months of his life. Not a good James Dean starter book though because he makes references to people and events that people new to the JD story won't understand. Another good book from someone who knew him was written many years ago by Bill (possibly William) Bast - can't remember the title but it was an intimate biography like this one from someone who was there.

[Jennifer England · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have gone to the James Dean Festival for many years for the car show for my guy. This year was the first time I was inspired to find out about James Dean. I looked up a book that was published in 2016 and decided to go to the museum to see if they had it. Instead I found this. And the gal working there said it was amazing. We both tried to get on the internet to look up the book I came in for and couldn't. I told her that I just felt that James wanted me to read this first. After reading this I am now ready to read a few more. Lew this book was such an opener for me. I will never go to Fairmount Indiana not knowing who Jimmy was. Thank you. And I cried.

[Teresa Downer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesomely Good

I would recomend this book to anyone who loves James Dean. It is written in a very real manner, as if you were there in the everyday life of two close friends. It is definitely written out of pure brotherly love. I enjoyed it very much.

[Holly Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

Best and most honest of all the biographies that I have read about the legend James Dean all fact and real life as opposed to lies and fiction and maybes that could have been. This was like living in the time. What a wonderful story about a short lived but cherished friendship that ended so tragic then for the world to intervene. So glad Jimmy’s best friend shared the real truth raw emotion about the one and only. There will never be another James Dean.

[Shirley Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read!

Wonderful read. Enjoyed the way Lew wrote the details of that Time in Hollywood..the book brought back many memories of the beautiful Hollywood I knew.

[Aighmi* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed Mr. Bracker's take on James Dean and their shared history vs. how Hollywood represented him. Well written & interesting, also organized well.

[Ted Guevara · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Dean is an ambitious, business-minded and highly grounded human being in Lew Bracker’s Jimmy & Me. Here, the only item that resembles “wild” and “fast,” or the extremity of such words, is the actor’s motivation to excel in his craft. And the only proportionate item to a death-defying act in this affirming book is the friendship between Jimmy and Lew. From their common appreciation of Porsche sports cars, movie-going and club lounging, to Jimmy accidentally informing Lew’s parents of their son’s first road race, to the actor trying to figure out why Lew’s golden retriever wouldn’t use the diving board, this memoir cannot be more poignant.

Mr. Bracker’s writing is straightforward and clear, sometime tongue-in-cheek and occasionally poetic, with lots of actual events one can only identify as true 1950s Hollywood. There are passages in the book that beckoned me that I was actually sitting in the booth with the actor and the author, so dreamed I. You have this immense feeling that you’re meeting the celebrities, such as Ursula Andress, Natalie Wood and Dennis Hopper, as you partake in their described daily going ons.

As “a great James Dean fan” (Mr. Bracker has signed my copy), I’ve long believed those rough edges about the actor—but loosely. I could never put a finger on the string to make a strong knot. Mr. Bracker writes he has never met this cut-up James Dean, with the wild and fast persona. How could he when their bond was as wholesome as the actor’s humble beginnings in Fairmount, Indiana (cleverly skimmed on in the last chapters)?

I highly recommend this book due to its truth angle, the only way I can describe such an angle—if there is ever one.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book worthy of using my first review on. What a fascinating read! Lew tells all about his friendship and journey with James Dean! I love hearing stories about Jimmy. Lew is very honest by only telling the reader events that are true and really happened. These first hand encounters are lovely and engaging. LOVE IT!

This super fast read is a must for any James Dean fan!

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that I have never before read a book written about James Dean. I truly enjoyed learning about him through the personal experiences of author Lew Bracker.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting insight provided by a friend who was a large part of the last sixteen months of James Dean's life. Lew Bracker provides a small window into a life cut tragically short.

[Deena Dietrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very true, very personal account of Lew’s 16-month friendship that brought tears to my eyes! A must-read for any James Dean fan.