Harrison Ford: Imperfect Hero

by Garry Jenkins

For the first time, Harrison Ford is revealed to readers with all his compelling complexities. Drawing on more than 100 interviews with colleagues and with Ford himself, Garry Jenkins has built up the first complete portrait of the screen's "imperfect hero." Photos.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film, Media Tie In, Biography Memoir

362 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Brad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a Harrison Ford tattoo. Yes. You read that correctly. On my right shoulder I have a blue rebel symbol with the call sign "echo vii" in Galactic Base. I have seen Raiders of the Lost Ark over a thousand times. I teach Blade Runner every chance I get.

Now you know where I stand.

I read this book over ten years ago, and I have been sharing an anecdote from this book ever since (who knows how accurate it is now, after so long).

During the filming of American Graffiti, when GEORGE LUCAS was merely George Lucas, and Harrison was an unknown cabinet maker, and the biggest names were Paul Le Mat and Richard Dreyfuss, Paul and Harrison got pissed up in a third floor hotel room. They were obnoxious good ol' boys, throwing bottles from the balcony, raising a ruckus, being a pain in the ass, and generally having a good time. Dick came into their room in the middle of their debauch and got all moralistic, calling them childish, unprofessional, etc., and generally being a condescending prick. So Harrison picked up Dick, carried him to the balcony and threw him into the pool three floors down.

I bet Bill Murray would love that.

I don't know how true that is, but when I read it, I loved Harrison more than I already did. Those are the balls that shot Greedo first. Those are the cojones that took out the Arab Swordsmen. Those are the family jewels that locked guerrillas in an ice house. Those are the testicles that can't be found in his performances today. But damn were they cool when they were there.

If you dig Harrison this is a book for you.

[Graham Connors · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this biography, it was entertaining but you could tell it was researched and published with zero input from Ford. It didn't offer anything new; his early life was unknown to me so that was intriguing but beyond that it didn't reveal anything I didn't already know from being a life long Harrison Ford fan. The cause for author Garry Jenkins could certainly have been helped by a better proofreader. There are several spelling mistakes in the book and his research let him down in places. From memory he spells The Empire Strikes Back character Lando Calrisian's surname wrong. It begins with a C, not a K. He also refers to his Last Crusade love interest as "the English actress Alison Doody." Doody is Irish, born and raised in Dublin. And he also names the director of Return of the Jedi as David Marquand when in fact Richard Marquand directed Jedi. These minor things irritated me.

[Laura McChristian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm convinced I really did marry this guy after all. LOL!! The man by which all others are measured, second only to my Dad, since I first saw Han Solo at the Drive-in theater in 1978. I think it's the only real bio I've ever seen of my favorite actor, and a lot of it I'd heard or read before, but it was a more comprehensive view of him than I've come across. I'd be anxious to see what it would be like now, since his divorce from Melissa Mathison, remarriage to Calista Flockhart, the rather blah Crystal Skull, the success of son Ben's restaurant, Malcolm's rock band, the adoption of Liam, Melissa's untimely passing in 2015, and of course, The Force Awakens. Oh, and his piloting adventures. A lot has happened since 1998!! There are also a few films I need to revisit. I don't think I ever saw Frantic inn its entirety, or even The Devil's Own. Anyway, a good bio!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the end of cinema's first hundred years, Harrison Ford stood alone and unchallenged as its most successful box office star. Ruggedly resolute, an all-American everyman, he delivers a brand of heroism unseen since the days of Gary Cooper, and unmatched by any of his modern-day rivals. Drawing on more than a hundred interviews, with family and friends, colleagues and contemporaries, and with Harrison Ford himself, Garry Jenkins has built up the first complete portrait of the screen's ultimate hero.
Biographies of Ford, a resolutely private man, are very thin on the ground so when I discovered this 1997 book I was intrigued enough to pick it up, ignoring the fact Jenkins was behind a book on “Star Wars” I gave 2* to. Pretty much a cut-and-paste job (the only interviews Jenkins carried out are with people from Ford’s early life, unless he asked questions during press junkets), this does do a decent job of tying stuff together and conveys a good sense of the real Ford, a man both strong and flawed, humorous but distant, demanding but giving. I enjoyed it for the most part though there are some glaring mistakes that you would have hoped at least one proof-reader might have picked up (yes, I know this came out before the Internet hit, but even so) - silly glitches such as the wrong studio mentioned for “American Graffiti”, Richard Marquand being called David, Mark Hamill’s name spelt wrong, “Raiders” dialogue written incorrectly, “Return Of The Jedi” being made for $8m, “Temple Of Doom”’s bridge not being built specially for the film and Alison Doody as an English, rather than Irish woman - and it make you question what else is on the page. For all my gripes, it was entertaining and occasionally informative so, if you’re a fan of Ford (and know enough facts about his life and films to know when mistakes are being made), you should enjoy it.

[Glenn Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book written on perhaps my favorite cinema "star" of all time!!! Couple of notes I'd like to highlight here for those who are interested. First, this is an unauthorized biography (which the author clearly explains in his concluding note and acknowledgement). However, it is an excellent work based on existing sources and numerous interviews with people connected to Harrison Ford over the years. To that end, the author does an excellent job of arranging all of the various source material into a chronological overview of Ford's life and major achievements. Secondly, the book was published in 1998; so, it obviously only covers Ford's life and major accomplishments through the "first half" of his career. I highlight both of those considerations because they weighed on my own decision to read the book. Normally, I would have turned away from an abbreviated and unauthorized biography, but I'm glad I gave this one a go. Although it did read a bit like a "book report" at times, I did enjoy the organization and writing style. Found it to be full of insightful tidbits about Harrison Ford. Along the way, I was encouraged, challenged, and inspired as I read about the unflagging determination, perseverance, and refusal to quit that defined much of his early career. In that way Ford provides a model for courage and the willingness to endure. Great read that I highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of Harrison or is looking for inspiration in your journey!!!

[Aihpos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harrison Ford is well known from the character Hans Solo in Star Wars. He later also acted in the Indiana Jones and Air Force One. Other than that I hardly see him in any other movies. After reading this book, I understand why. Harrison Ford is a headstrong person. He stands by what he believes in strongly. For this reason alone, he has always missed many opportunities presented to him. His stubbornness gets the better of him. He got a chance to finished his degree but he chose otherwise. For one thing I didn't knew was that he was a talented carpenter before he became famous. He had to do carpentry while waiting for the right opportunity in the acting field to arrive. Seriously, if not for his first wife Mary who had pushed him into audition for the character Star Wars, he would not become famous. Today, he will still be a carpenter. After being famous, everything changes about him.

[James Ermilio-Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harrison Ford is a wonderful actor and person. This is one of my favorite biographies because it goes into great detail about his life before he became a famous actor. The only drawback to this book is that it was written in 1996, so much of his life and career are not included.

[Michella Ventres · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I felt like it was like reading more of a text book

[Danny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting content. A challenge to read. Glad I read it. Will not read again.

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read and well researched biography with a great insight into one of our ultimate Hollywood Actors who has made some of the most iconic and memorable films of our time.

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB

[Scott Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting account of Ford, always my hero due to Han Solo and Indiana Jones, it tells of his early struggles against the system which is Hollywood

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

The manliest actor of our generation in my opinion, Harrison Ford's life is an interesting one filled with ups and downs and provides proof that even carpenters can be actors.
Being a Harrison Ford fan I found this piece to be quite interesting and rather eye opening into what he had to go through to become one of America's most beloved actors. Despite his usual private stance in the public eye the book is packed with numerous facts and events that altered the course of our history as well as the book's subject.

[Still Life With Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garry Jenkins hizo un gran trabajo de documentación, organización y presentación de la información con este libro. La única lástima es que al haber sido publicado en 1998, ha quedado bastante desactualizado. Pero aún así merece la pena su lectura. Una biografía interesantísima, desde luego imprescindible para los seguidores del actor, pero también recomendable para los aficionados al cine y para cualquier persona a la que le guste el género biográfico en general.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about Harrison Ford. While trying to become an actor he was a carpenter before becoming a movie star. He has starred in many pictures and he has been in some of the biggest blockbusters of all time. He plays each role excellent. He is a very private person who shuns the limelight.

[Elaiyna Hope]

Very interesting. Has really important information about him. Things I would never had guessed. Excellent book. However, if you aren't into all facts little fun, it can be a little boring. I, myself enjoyed it. Very good book to do a biography paper on.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm such a fan of his that I happily picked up this book and read it through. Doesn't matter how he chose to live his life. Doesn't matter that he's been married three times. Still adore the man and I've learned a little more about him.

[Daveg · Rating 4 out of 5]

right place right time

[Thomas Poore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed it, I discovered the gem Mosquito Coast because of this book.