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The John Wayne Code: Wit, Wisdom and Timeless Advice
John Wayne was more than a movie star. He was a symbol for everything good and decent about America, inspiring everyday people to reach just a little bit more and try a little bit harder. During his 72 years and more than 150 movies, John Wayne imparted a seemingly-endless amount of advice, wisdom and good old-fashioned common sense to his fans. In The John Wayne Code, that wealth of knowledge has been collected together for the first time by the people who loved and knew him best - his family and the editors of the Official John Wayne Collector's Edition Magazine.
Filled with Duke’s most insightful quotes, personal stories from his family and friends, full-color photos, and advice for how to be a better person, this stunning, gift-worthy book makes the perfect companion for any John Wayne fan who wants to make their life a little more legendary.
Filled with Duke’s most insightful quotes, personal stories from his family and friends, full-color photos, and advice for how to be a better person, this stunning, gift-worthy book makes the perfect companion for any John Wayne fan who wants to make their life a little more legendary.
156 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2017
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September 19, 2021
“It is important for you to know that I am a registered Democrat and, to my knowledge, share none of the political views espoused by Duke. However, whether he is ill-disposed or healthy, John Wayne is far beyond the normal political sharpshooting in this community. Because of his courage, his dignity, his integrity, and because of his talents as an actor, his strength as a leader, his warmth as a human being throughout his illustrious career, he is entitled to a unique spot in our hearts and minds. In this industry, we often judge people, sometimes unfairly, by asking whether they have paid their dues. John Wayne has paid his dues over and over, and I’m proud to consider him a friend and am very much in favor of my government recognizing in some important fashion the contribution that Mr. Wayne has made.” - Robert Aldrich, film director, summed up the Duke in a statement at his funeral in 1979.
"Duke's generosity and loyalty stood out in a city rarely known for either. When a friend needed work, that person went on his payroll. When a friend needed help, Duke's wallet was open." - Ronald Reagan, former actor, and President of the United States.
To begin this review, the first thing that people should know is that this book is bound in real leather, like a saddle, and is just luxurious to hold in your hands. Imagine sitting in one of those soft leather chairs in a cigar room or club, and you'll know what it is like to have this book in your hands. It's a beautiful book to have in your library or on your bookshelves and for those living in the American southwest, west, or midwest it will look beautiful as a decoration for your home decor. John Wayne Enterprises, run by his children, helped to collaborate on the production of this book and like most of the clothes, items, glassware, and merchandise bearing the Duke's name, it's first class all the way in quality and style. Like the man, this book, along with all JWE items is total class.
This book is broken down into six sections dealing with John Wayne's life- Loyalty, Self-Reliance, Grit, Patriotism, Honesty, and Generosity. The Reagan quote above came from the LOYALTY section on page 12 and is accompanied by a marvelous glossy black and white picture of Reagan, Bob Hope, and John Wayne yukking it up at a Hollywood event in the 1970's. A fast, easy, light, entertaining read it features marvelous beautiful color photos of Duke's life, and the pictures that touched me the most were of him and his little brother, Robert, when they were small children in Iowa and the homestead he grew up on in California's Mojave Desert. He came from humble beginnings, and the pictures of him and young brother touched me in a way that I didn't suspect. In California, he would get out of bed well before dawn to help his father with chores around the farm, and then ride a pony named Jenny into town for school that day. He wasn't coddled, he wasn't spoiled, his parents never paved the way for him, and maybe that 's why he has outshone everyone that came before and after him- it's called a work ethic, and it served him well his whole life. The book winds down with beautiful stories and photos of Duke with his entire family of 24 people- with his beaming mother in the center, and it's that look at his life along with another of him and his mom on the set of 1966's "El Dorado" which leaves you more moved at the man he was in real life even more than his towering film career which this day was a stunning achievement.
Reading this review people need to understand that John Wayne was one of only two heroes that I ever had in my life, so I am not unbiased in my view of the man or his life. I was named after him, by a father who served six years in the US Army and the National Guard, faced harrowing circumstances, and a brother who while never serving in the military- was and is a walking encyclopedia of world and US history, and loves the United States military more than anyone that I have ever seen. You ask my brother about the Peloponnesian War, and he'll give you an hour lecture off the top of his head, with no notes, and its the most incredible thing you have ever witnessed. John Wayne meant something to my family, he represented who we were, so John Wayne, was my name. I have been determined that the I would bring honor to that name, to make up for the way, that so many of the men in this country who have carried it in the most horrible fashion, in a way that Duke would have been horrified by.
I understood the power of Duke's name when I was a small child in the mid 1970's when I was around 5 or 6 years old. I was in a meat market with the son of my mother's good friend, and we were like typical rambunctious boys running around the store laughing and yelling as we screwed around. Our mothers were trying to corral us, so my mother's friend, who was the only one who ever called me by my full name yelled to me "John Wayne, what are you boys doing?" I felt every single face turn and focus on me like a laser in that store like "Voom" and it was a bit overwhelming. I was a little kid, and every single person just turned and looked at me. The butchers that were cutting up meat behind the counter in their area, started whooping and hollering, cheering "Duke, Duke, Duke!" while waving at me. It was powerful and a bit intimidating because it was so immediate and swift. I never really used the name after that, because I felt like it was his name, a stage name given to him, and people loved it because of his achievements, not mine, and I never liked getting accolades or attention for things that were not mine to claim. I felt somehow that I was being noticed because of the hard work of another, so I hid my full name for most of my childhood. That changed when I graduated from High School, and because they have to announce your full name when you receive your diploma, "John Wayne" was announced to the large auditorium and the explosion of cheers, noise, and cries of "Duke" from that huge crowd made me understand how loved this man was in America- even almost a decade after he had died. The man was loved by the majority of Americans, and it hasn't gone away no matter how many years have passed since his death in 1979. The people who say, his name only means something to old people, have no idea of the amount of children who are watching his films today with their parents, and he still remains popular among all age groups. I started using my full name of "John Wayne" about 14 years ago for reasons that were thrust upon me, but it's amazing the reaction that I get from people. I've had people buy me donuts in coffee shops, pay for candy that I'm buying for family at Christmas, give me wide smiles when I sign my name, and knowing nods, with a look that shows they have good memories of the man. I've held court in Dunkin Donuts with large groups of people talking about the way things should be in this country. It's every race, every background, every gender, every religion. The John Wayne Code is for every American, no matter who you are, because it's about treating everyone in this country with respect, and understanding this country isn't something to tear down, but to celebrate what it provides its citizens to try and achieve joy.
His influence on my family provided me with wonderful memories. I remember my brother and I following through on our plans from the night before in 1977, and running home from school like madmen because my favorite Duke film "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" was on the afternoon movie around 2;30 or 3 PM. His performance of a wise, world weary, professional cavalry officer, coping with the early death of his young wife and his own advancing years always moved me in ways that I couldn't quite understand until my adulthood, when I recognized that in many ways, I become that character through the events of life. I've been coming back to that beautiful performance in that beautiful film the last couple of years, because it resonates in me more deeply than ever. It's John Wayne's best performance in an almost perfect film and he should have been awarded a Best Actor Oscar for his performance as Captain Nathan Brittles, a character that I fully understand who he is, because I recognize myself in it now. Martin Scorsese is right that for people who say that John Wayne only played himself on screen is pure stupidity. That role is a great acting performance by Hollywood's biggest star.
The man is a giant not because of his film career, but the way he took his success and treated everyone around him. The only people that hate John Wayne are psychologically or emotionally damaged people who instead of giving Duke credit for a life of tremendous accomplishment, carry an inferiority complex because they can't measure up to the man. Instead of saying, "yeah, I wish I could be like that, my hat's off to him," they try and tear him down, to make themselves feel better about themselves because that's what Americans do. It's too painful to look themselves in the mirror, so tear someone else down that did things they couldn't. I love meeting these people, because I know everything about Duke's life, so every myth that haters throw at me that they have been fed, I bat away with stories and tales from his life that leaves them to slither back to their misery. Did you know John Wayne worked as a spy for the OSS(forerunner of the CIA) in World War II? Did you know that Stalin feared him so much that he sent KGB agents to America to assassinate him, only to have Duke and two of his stunt men beat them up, capture them, and force them to defect to the USA where they gave information and helped the USA fight the Soviets in the Cold War? Have you ever actually seen his films and the respect he shows the Native Americans that are main characters in those films? The answer is always no, no, no, because in America today propaganda is more important than reality. Where we once had an educated society that featured intellectual thinkers like William F. Buckley, Charles Krauthammer, and others, we have immature children that will say and do anything for a paycheck. I often tell them that John Wayne was so well read, so kind, so endearing to people, that one of his closest friends was longtime Democrat Paul Newman with whom they would write long letters to each other debating the issues of the day, and inclosing columns that others had written backing up their viewpoints. The debates were smart, informed, and full of fun for each, and the men truly liked each other, because they were adults, they were secure in themselves, and most of all, they were truly blessed with talent.
Today we have mediocrity in Hollywood and on television, and no one that the American public truly cares about. Months ago there was one horsefly on television that said Americans were jealous of Hollywood, because the people there now are glamorous, and it isn't John Wayne anymore. First of all, to be jealous of somebody or something- you have to want what they have. There isn't a single American that wants what anyone in Hollywood or television has. Americans don't even think about the industry anymore as the movies are bad, the performances are dreadful, the writing atrocious, and let's face it- if anyone on television now were to lose their show would Americans even notice? Hollywood was the cultural force in this country for decades which united Americans around our common bonds. Today, it's only united Americans into agreeing that it doesn't represent the American people in any way shape or form. It's dismissed as an after thought like dial up internet. It was something that used to be very important but has made itself irrelevant.
What John Wayne showed everybody was that this country belongs to the American people. It belongs to me, to you, to everyone. It is our country. It was made by Americans, for Americans, with hard work, determination, and a desire for a free world. No one tells us who or what our destiny is. WE determine our destiny, and that is why this nation thrived in the past. If that spirit has waned in this country it's because the people who supposedly represent us, do what they want, not what their constituents want, and it is no wonder that American citizens are tired of all the happy talk and false promises by people in the public eye who in the end always do what serves them.
John Wayne was not a perfect man as he would say, but he was so truthful and sincere that when he was wrong, like when he supported Richard Nixon, he admitted it. When Nixon, resigned from office, Wayne said, "I was wrong about the man." That's what America is missing. No one admits their mistakes, no one can lower their ego when they clearly screw up and say "I blew it." We hear about everything they got right, but never what they got wrong. They are too insecure to admit it, so instead we have a nation of people that make excuses like "I'm only human", "You don't know the circumstances that somebody is going through", "I don't like being unemployed and not having a paycheck so I did what I was told and people died and got hurt badly, but I love what I do, so that was the only thing that mattered to me." It's all weak excuses, self rationalization. John Wayne went bankrupt making "The Alamo" in 1960, because he thought the story was important for America to watch. It received seven Academy Award nominations, and Duke did just fine financially for the rest of his life. The "John Wayne Code" is about believing in a set of principles for the rest of your life, following them, and standing on a hill and saying "this is what I believe, this is who I am, and I'm not changing. I'm not playing all the angles, I'm going to die on this hill if I have too, but I'm not changing, and if you don't like me than that is your right, but I will not change for you because of that." Most people die today, and they are lucky if they are remembered 40 seconds after they die , but John Wayne is remembered 42 years after he died because he stood every day for what he believed and didn't compromise.
People may say, okay, he made 250 movies in his career, and was the biggest and most successful star that Hollywood ever produced which drives them nuts, but that was a screen image. He was an actor, they really are not that interesting in actual real life, so that is an inflated image. There are a million stories from his real life that I could tell, but the one I will choose today comes from his son who recounts the evening from the early 1970's that gives you who John Wayne was. Duke's son recounts the night that he, his sister, and his Dad were going to have a movie night at their home by the water in California. The popcorn was all set to go, and they were seconds away from sitting down for a fun evening when a ruckus came from the pier attached to Duke's house. Wayne was so alarmed by the noise that he took his big shotgun that he owned in his house, and ran out to the pier to see what the commotion was. Apparently 3 Marines were falling all over themselves in the boat they were in, and when Wayne went out to find out what they were doing they informed him, that they had just got home from Vietnam, and had come up from San Diego to see John Wayne, because one of them knew where he lived. When they got to Wayne's house, they got cold feet and started to leave, because they were realizing it was probably an intrusion, or a violation of Wayne's privacy, and didn't want to cause trouble, so they started getting back in the boat to go home. Wayne stood on the dock looking at them and said to the three Marines "Well, are you going to come on in and have a drink with me or not. Tell me who you are." The three shell shocked Marines spent the rest of the night until the wee small hours of the morning sitting around with John Wayne having drinks, telling stories, laughing, and probably getting pretty drunk. They told Wayne all about themselves and he cared about every one of them. Movie night had been ruined for Wayne's children, but he did it for almost everyone who was a fan of his, because as he told his kids- "these people gave me a career, they pay the bills, they have given us this wonderful life that we enjoy, and without coming to my films, watching my TV shows, wanting to say hello, we have nothing. It's not me that gave us this life. It's the American people." Who says or does that today? Not many. Many today think the audience is there for the glorification of their own pathetic egos. The only two in Hollywood today that think that Duke would approve of and are most like him in terms of talent and the way they treat people in real life are Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. Everyone else is working out their psychological issues in front of the American public. Props for their vanity, not people to be cared about, or people treated with respect, and that they matter.
It was this reason, that the John Wayne Code resonated with everyone from Frank Sinatra kissing his ass( that's another story) to his deep friendships with Dean Martin, Lucille Ball, Raquel Welch, Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, and the fact that Sammy Davis Jr, was one of the few that got to take Duke's precious yacht out on the water by himself for Sammy's own private parties. Sammy was one of the few that Duke trusted to bring his yacht back in one piece where other more well known stars were not. The Code is why people line up for blocks to visit his birthplace museum in Iowa, why his daughter reported last month that people were crying in front of her at the traveling exhibit on his life that goes from state to state. Tears over all this man accomplished. All who he was.
I've been very sad the last few weeks over the 13 soldiers that died in Afghanistan last month. It never should have happened, it was preventable, but so many American have lost their way, so many have been fed lies by a media that works against what is best for this country and their lives. John Wayne was a Presbyterian, who converted to Catholicism on his deathbed, which shows he continued to develop, grow, and look at life anew until the last seconds of his life. A few years back I ran into a doctor in Boston who told me that he had been working at the hospital in Boston where Wayne had spent most of the late 1970's very sick and dying. He wasn't treating him, but he wanted to meet him, so he knocked on the door, and Wayne yelled out "Come on in and say hello." The doctor told me he spent an hour talking to the legend and he was exactly as I always knew he was. The John Wayne Code was one that left Americans feeling good about themselves. John Wayne will never die. John Wayne lives, and in fact he lives forever. Legends cannot be defeated.
"Duke's generosity and loyalty stood out in a city rarely known for either. When a friend needed work, that person went on his payroll. When a friend needed help, Duke's wallet was open." - Ronald Reagan, former actor, and President of the United States.
To begin this review, the first thing that people should know is that this book is bound in real leather, like a saddle, and is just luxurious to hold in your hands. Imagine sitting in one of those soft leather chairs in a cigar room or club, and you'll know what it is like to have this book in your hands. It's a beautiful book to have in your library or on your bookshelves and for those living in the American southwest, west, or midwest it will look beautiful as a decoration for your home decor. John Wayne Enterprises, run by his children, helped to collaborate on the production of this book and like most of the clothes, items, glassware, and merchandise bearing the Duke's name, it's first class all the way in quality and style. Like the man, this book, along with all JWE items is total class.
This book is broken down into six sections dealing with John Wayne's life- Loyalty, Self-Reliance, Grit, Patriotism, Honesty, and Generosity. The Reagan quote above came from the LOYALTY section on page 12 and is accompanied by a marvelous glossy black and white picture of Reagan, Bob Hope, and John Wayne yukking it up at a Hollywood event in the 1970's. A fast, easy, light, entertaining read it features marvelous beautiful color photos of Duke's life, and the pictures that touched me the most were of him and his little brother, Robert, when they were small children in Iowa and the homestead he grew up on in California's Mojave Desert. He came from humble beginnings, and the pictures of him and young brother touched me in a way that I didn't suspect. In California, he would get out of bed well before dawn to help his father with chores around the farm, and then ride a pony named Jenny into town for school that day. He wasn't coddled, he wasn't spoiled, his parents never paved the way for him, and maybe that 's why he has outshone everyone that came before and after him- it's called a work ethic, and it served him well his whole life. The book winds down with beautiful stories and photos of Duke with his entire family of 24 people- with his beaming mother in the center, and it's that look at his life along with another of him and his mom on the set of 1966's "El Dorado" which leaves you more moved at the man he was in real life even more than his towering film career which this day was a stunning achievement.
Reading this review people need to understand that John Wayne was one of only two heroes that I ever had in my life, so I am not unbiased in my view of the man or his life. I was named after him, by a father who served six years in the US Army and the National Guard, faced harrowing circumstances, and a brother who while never serving in the military- was and is a walking encyclopedia of world and US history, and loves the United States military more than anyone that I have ever seen. You ask my brother about the Peloponnesian War, and he'll give you an hour lecture off the top of his head, with no notes, and its the most incredible thing you have ever witnessed. John Wayne meant something to my family, he represented who we were, so John Wayne, was my name. I have been determined that the I would bring honor to that name, to make up for the way, that so many of the men in this country who have carried it in the most horrible fashion, in a way that Duke would have been horrified by.
I understood the power of Duke's name when I was a small child in the mid 1970's when I was around 5 or 6 years old. I was in a meat market with the son of my mother's good friend, and we were like typical rambunctious boys running around the store laughing and yelling as we screwed around. Our mothers were trying to corral us, so my mother's friend, who was the only one who ever called me by my full name yelled to me "John Wayne, what are you boys doing?" I felt every single face turn and focus on me like a laser in that store like "Voom" and it was a bit overwhelming. I was a little kid, and every single person just turned and looked at me. The butchers that were cutting up meat behind the counter in their area, started whooping and hollering, cheering "Duke, Duke, Duke!" while waving at me. It was powerful and a bit intimidating because it was so immediate and swift. I never really used the name after that, because I felt like it was his name, a stage name given to him, and people loved it because of his achievements, not mine, and I never liked getting accolades or attention for things that were not mine to claim. I felt somehow that I was being noticed because of the hard work of another, so I hid my full name for most of my childhood. That changed when I graduated from High School, and because they have to announce your full name when you receive your diploma, "John Wayne" was announced to the large auditorium and the explosion of cheers, noise, and cries of "Duke" from that huge crowd made me understand how loved this man was in America- even almost a decade after he had died. The man was loved by the majority of Americans, and it hasn't gone away no matter how many years have passed since his death in 1979. The people who say, his name only means something to old people, have no idea of the amount of children who are watching his films today with their parents, and he still remains popular among all age groups. I started using my full name of "John Wayne" about 14 years ago for reasons that were thrust upon me, but it's amazing the reaction that I get from people. I've had people buy me donuts in coffee shops, pay for candy that I'm buying for family at Christmas, give me wide smiles when I sign my name, and knowing nods, with a look that shows they have good memories of the man. I've held court in Dunkin Donuts with large groups of people talking about the way things should be in this country. It's every race, every background, every gender, every religion. The John Wayne Code is for every American, no matter who you are, because it's about treating everyone in this country with respect, and understanding this country isn't something to tear down, but to celebrate what it provides its citizens to try and achieve joy.
His influence on my family provided me with wonderful memories. I remember my brother and I following through on our plans from the night before in 1977, and running home from school like madmen because my favorite Duke film "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon" was on the afternoon movie around 2;30 or 3 PM. His performance of a wise, world weary, professional cavalry officer, coping with the early death of his young wife and his own advancing years always moved me in ways that I couldn't quite understand until my adulthood, when I recognized that in many ways, I become that character through the events of life. I've been coming back to that beautiful performance in that beautiful film the last couple of years, because it resonates in me more deeply than ever. It's John Wayne's best performance in an almost perfect film and he should have been awarded a Best Actor Oscar for his performance as Captain Nathan Brittles, a character that I fully understand who he is, because I recognize myself in it now. Martin Scorsese is right that for people who say that John Wayne only played himself on screen is pure stupidity. That role is a great acting performance by Hollywood's biggest star.
The man is a giant not because of his film career, but the way he took his success and treated everyone around him. The only people that hate John Wayne are psychologically or emotionally damaged people who instead of giving Duke credit for a life of tremendous accomplishment, carry an inferiority complex because they can't measure up to the man. Instead of saying, "yeah, I wish I could be like that, my hat's off to him," they try and tear him down, to make themselves feel better about themselves because that's what Americans do. It's too painful to look themselves in the mirror, so tear someone else down that did things they couldn't. I love meeting these people, because I know everything about Duke's life, so every myth that haters throw at me that they have been fed, I bat away with stories and tales from his life that leaves them to slither back to their misery. Did you know John Wayne worked as a spy for the OSS(forerunner of the CIA) in World War II? Did you know that Stalin feared him so much that he sent KGB agents to America to assassinate him, only to have Duke and two of his stunt men beat them up, capture them, and force them to defect to the USA where they gave information and helped the USA fight the Soviets in the Cold War? Have you ever actually seen his films and the respect he shows the Native Americans that are main characters in those films? The answer is always no, no, no, because in America today propaganda is more important than reality. Where we once had an educated society that featured intellectual thinkers like William F. Buckley, Charles Krauthammer, and others, we have immature children that will say and do anything for a paycheck. I often tell them that John Wayne was so well read, so kind, so endearing to people, that one of his closest friends was longtime Democrat Paul Newman with whom they would write long letters to each other debating the issues of the day, and inclosing columns that others had written backing up their viewpoints. The debates were smart, informed, and full of fun for each, and the men truly liked each other, because they were adults, they were secure in themselves, and most of all, they were truly blessed with talent.
Today we have mediocrity in Hollywood and on television, and no one that the American public truly cares about. Months ago there was one horsefly on television that said Americans were jealous of Hollywood, because the people there now are glamorous, and it isn't John Wayne anymore. First of all, to be jealous of somebody or something- you have to want what they have. There isn't a single American that wants what anyone in Hollywood or television has. Americans don't even think about the industry anymore as the movies are bad, the performances are dreadful, the writing atrocious, and let's face it- if anyone on television now were to lose their show would Americans even notice? Hollywood was the cultural force in this country for decades which united Americans around our common bonds. Today, it's only united Americans into agreeing that it doesn't represent the American people in any way shape or form. It's dismissed as an after thought like dial up internet. It was something that used to be very important but has made itself irrelevant.
What John Wayne showed everybody was that this country belongs to the American people. It belongs to me, to you, to everyone. It is our country. It was made by Americans, for Americans, with hard work, determination, and a desire for a free world. No one tells us who or what our destiny is. WE determine our destiny, and that is why this nation thrived in the past. If that spirit has waned in this country it's because the people who supposedly represent us, do what they want, not what their constituents want, and it is no wonder that American citizens are tired of all the happy talk and false promises by people in the public eye who in the end always do what serves them.
John Wayne was not a perfect man as he would say, but he was so truthful and sincere that when he was wrong, like when he supported Richard Nixon, he admitted it. When Nixon, resigned from office, Wayne said, "I was wrong about the man." That's what America is missing. No one admits their mistakes, no one can lower their ego when they clearly screw up and say "I blew it." We hear about everything they got right, but never what they got wrong. They are too insecure to admit it, so instead we have a nation of people that make excuses like "I'm only human", "You don't know the circumstances that somebody is going through", "I don't like being unemployed and not having a paycheck so I did what I was told and people died and got hurt badly, but I love what I do, so that was the only thing that mattered to me." It's all weak excuses, self rationalization. John Wayne went bankrupt making "The Alamo" in 1960, because he thought the story was important for America to watch. It received seven Academy Award nominations, and Duke did just fine financially for the rest of his life. The "John Wayne Code" is about believing in a set of principles for the rest of your life, following them, and standing on a hill and saying "this is what I believe, this is who I am, and I'm not changing. I'm not playing all the angles, I'm going to die on this hill if I have too, but I'm not changing, and if you don't like me than that is your right, but I will not change for you because of that." Most people die today, and they are lucky if they are remembered 40 seconds after they die , but John Wayne is remembered 42 years after he died because he stood every day for what he believed and didn't compromise.
People may say, okay, he made 250 movies in his career, and was the biggest and most successful star that Hollywood ever produced which drives them nuts, but that was a screen image. He was an actor, they really are not that interesting in actual real life, so that is an inflated image. There are a million stories from his real life that I could tell, but the one I will choose today comes from his son who recounts the evening from the early 1970's that gives you who John Wayne was. Duke's son recounts the night that he, his sister, and his Dad were going to have a movie night at their home by the water in California. The popcorn was all set to go, and they were seconds away from sitting down for a fun evening when a ruckus came from the pier attached to Duke's house. Wayne was so alarmed by the noise that he took his big shotgun that he owned in his house, and ran out to the pier to see what the commotion was. Apparently 3 Marines were falling all over themselves in the boat they were in, and when Wayne went out to find out what they were doing they informed him, that they had just got home from Vietnam, and had come up from San Diego to see John Wayne, because one of them knew where he lived. When they got to Wayne's house, they got cold feet and started to leave, because they were realizing it was probably an intrusion, or a violation of Wayne's privacy, and didn't want to cause trouble, so they started getting back in the boat to go home. Wayne stood on the dock looking at them and said to the three Marines "Well, are you going to come on in and have a drink with me or not. Tell me who you are." The three shell shocked Marines spent the rest of the night until the wee small hours of the morning sitting around with John Wayne having drinks, telling stories, laughing, and probably getting pretty drunk. They told Wayne all about themselves and he cared about every one of them. Movie night had been ruined for Wayne's children, but he did it for almost everyone who was a fan of his, because as he told his kids- "these people gave me a career, they pay the bills, they have given us this wonderful life that we enjoy, and without coming to my films, watching my TV shows, wanting to say hello, we have nothing. It's not me that gave us this life. It's the American people." Who says or does that today? Not many. Many today think the audience is there for the glorification of their own pathetic egos. The only two in Hollywood today that think that Duke would approve of and are most like him in terms of talent and the way they treat people in real life are Denzel Washington and Bruce Willis. Everyone else is working out their psychological issues in front of the American public. Props for their vanity, not people to be cared about, or people treated with respect, and that they matter.
It was this reason, that the John Wayne Code resonated with everyone from Frank Sinatra kissing his ass( that's another story) to his deep friendships with Dean Martin, Lucille Ball, Raquel Welch, Lauren Bacall, Rock Hudson, and the fact that Sammy Davis Jr, was one of the few that got to take Duke's precious yacht out on the water by himself for Sammy's own private parties. Sammy was one of the few that Duke trusted to bring his yacht back in one piece where other more well known stars were not. The Code is why people line up for blocks to visit his birthplace museum in Iowa, why his daughter reported last month that people were crying in front of her at the traveling exhibit on his life that goes from state to state. Tears over all this man accomplished. All who he was.
I've been very sad the last few weeks over the 13 soldiers that died in Afghanistan last month. It never should have happened, it was preventable, but so many American have lost their way, so many have been fed lies by a media that works against what is best for this country and their lives. John Wayne was a Presbyterian, who converted to Catholicism on his deathbed, which shows he continued to develop, grow, and look at life anew until the last seconds of his life. A few years back I ran into a doctor in Boston who told me that he had been working at the hospital in Boston where Wayne had spent most of the late 1970's very sick and dying. He wasn't treating him, but he wanted to meet him, so he knocked on the door, and Wayne yelled out "Come on in and say hello." The doctor told me he spent an hour talking to the legend and he was exactly as I always knew he was. The John Wayne Code was one that left Americans feeling good about themselves. John Wayne will never die. John Wayne lives, and in fact he lives forever. Legends cannot be defeated.
December 28, 2017
Outstanding!
September 3, 2017
Great pics of the Duke and interesting quotes by family and friends. Perfect for the coffee table or as a gift.
June 18, 2017
This was so great - should be required reading for everyone! I'd like to think there are still men like Duke out there somewhere.
June 26, 2020
For a book that was almost more pictures than words it was surprisingly inspirational. We certainly could use some more people like John Wayne today.
June 30, 2021
I didn't fully understand who John Wayne was other than from his movies. He was a great patriot and a solid American! This is a quick read but I was happy to find another feel good book!
January 7, 2023
I think everyone should live their lives by this code. If we did the world would be a much better place.
October 4, 2017
Synopsis: "John Wayne was more than a movie star. He was a symbol for everything good and decent about America, inspiring everyday people to reach just a little bit more and try a little bit harder. During his 72 years and more than 150 movies, John Wayne imparted a seemingly-endless amount of advice, wisdom and good old-fashioned common sense to his audiences, and that wealth of knowledge has been collected together for the first time by the people who loved and knew him best. The John Wayne Bible is filled with the icon’s most insightful quotes, personal stories from his family and friends, and advice for how to be a better person. This personal collector’s item makes the perfect companion for any fan of Duke’s who wants to make their life a little more legendary."
My Review: I have been a John Wayne fan as long as I can remember and I came across this book randomly on the internet and had to go pick it up immediately! This is a book that is not only visually pleasing (leather cover with impressed text & image) but the words of wisdom are also beautiful. It not only contains many of the values and beliefs of the man, and quotes of his but also the respect held by others for him. There are many memories about how he went above and beyond to uphold those values he held the highest and encouraged others to do the same. If you are a John Wayne fan, you will definitely want this one on your shelf.
My Review: I have been a John Wayne fan as long as I can remember and I came across this book randomly on the internet and had to go pick it up immediately! This is a book that is not only visually pleasing (leather cover with impressed text & image) but the words of wisdom are also beautiful. It not only contains many of the values and beliefs of the man, and quotes of his but also the respect held by others for him. There are many memories about how he went above and beyond to uphold those values he held the highest and encouraged others to do the same. If you are a John Wayne fan, you will definitely want this one on your shelf.
December 18, 2024
A Point of Purchase Book with no Real Point
I can confess that, while I don't agree politically with anything that #johnwayne espoused, I am a lifelong fan of #theduke . That's why I am disappointed in this very thin little volume by #medialabbooks who seem like they spent absolutely no time making this more readable and, to a general reader, more valuable. It seems that they worked with the #wayneestate for the right to publish pictures and a few quotes and cobbled together a glorified brochure which they tried to pass off as a book.
And that's sad. But perhaps they know their target audience who aren't big readers and would content in saying they read a "John Wayne Book" and be satisfied with that.
Not this Pilgrim.
I can confess that, while I don't agree politically with anything that #johnwayne espoused, I am a lifelong fan of #theduke . That's why I am disappointed in this very thin little volume by #medialabbooks who seem like they spent absolutely no time making this more readable and, to a general reader, more valuable. It seems that they worked with the #wayneestate for the right to publish pictures and a few quotes and cobbled together a glorified brochure which they tried to pass off as a book.
And that's sad. But perhaps they know their target audience who aren't big readers and would content in saying they read a "John Wayne Book" and be satisfied with that.
Not this Pilgrim.
May 6, 2024
This is a photo-heavy book with quotes by and about John Wayne. It specifically highlights the personal qualities of loyalty, self-reliance, “grit”, patriotism, honesty, and generosity.
There are also occasional snippets about what went into making a particular film, and the occasional family story from one of his children or grandchildren.
The photos are very high quality. It really made me want to watch more John Wayne movies.
There are also occasional snippets about what went into making a particular film, and the occasional family story from one of his children or grandchildren.
The photos are very high quality. It really made me want to watch more John Wayne movies.
“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please.”
May 23, 2023
Pearls of wisdom from an American icon and legend. My favorite quote: “I define manhood simply: Men should be tough, fair, and courageous- never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either.”
If there’s one thing we can learn from the Duke, it’s that, masculinity, when done right, is not toxic. It’s an essential part of being a man and serving one’s family and society. John Wayne’s life, career, and virtues inspire me to be a better man. Great book!
If there’s one thing we can learn from the Duke, it’s that, masculinity, when done right, is not toxic. It’s an essential part of being a man and serving one’s family and society. John Wayne’s life, career, and virtues inspire me to be a better man. Great book!
January 1, 2018
Did not always agree with his politics, but he remains one of my favorite actors and on screen or off, he remained true to his personal convictions. That is a characteristic to be admired, even when he was on the wrong side of an issue. This was a quick read and full of advice that is actually good advice for everyone.
June 19, 2024
If you like the Duke, you'll like the booklet!
Pg 36 I define manhood simply: Men should be tough, fair and courageous -- never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either.
Pg 75 Words are what men live by … words they say and mean -- as Jake Cutter in The Comancheros
Pg 36 I define manhood simply: Men should be tough, fair and courageous -- never petty, never looking for a fight, but never backing down from one either.
Pg 75 Words are what men live by … words they say and mean -- as Jake Cutter in The Comancheros
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2019
This is not a long book. It's like a log of John Wayne's morals that he upheld. There are quotes by the Duke himself, his family members, & tidbits of info about how he lived by the standards he set for himself, along with lots of pictures. Any fan of John Wayne will adore this book.
March 7, 2021
A short, picture-filled, collection of John Wayne quotes and remembrances of the Duke from family and friends that beautifully captures his essential character, and the men he sought to portray on the screen.
June 8, 2017
A truly great read. It touched base on what made the Duke who he was.
August 16, 2017
His impact is still being felt after all these years!
January 6, 2018
For fans of the Duke,this is what you have come to expect. John Wayne was a true American patriot and hero. I would recommend this book to any fan. He was a real American icon.
June 18, 2018
Gotta love John wayne!
December 27, 2018
Great coffee table book. Among other things, I learned that Joseph Stalin and Mao Zedong both targeted John Wayne for assassination.
June 25, 2019
It is truly written very will. Like the old pics in it as well. Finished it in less than a week could not put it down.
October 21, 2019
A all to brief book with great photos, comments and quotes by and about this great American Icon.
July 26, 2020
This was a gift from my Aunt Pat. :)
December 20, 2020
Wonderful book about an amazing patriotic individual.
December 20, 2021
Code of the "Duke"....what can you say other then his own epitaph; He was ugly, strong, and had dignity.
Read
May 5, 2022Enjoyed, did not know the duke was @ USC!
May 18, 2022
This had nice photos of the Duke and nice quotes about him from his friends and family. I think it would make a nice coffee table book.
March 24, 2024
One very wise man. Excellent book!
June 5, 2024
Super fast little quote book. I’ve always admired John Wayne for many reasons so I enjoyed this very much. The only thing that could have improved it would be a short biographical sketch at the end.
May 27, 2025
This is a fun, light-hearted book. I enjoyed it.
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