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John Wayne: A Life from Beginning to End
John Wayne * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. John Wayne graced the screen as a cowboy, an all-around rugged hero of the plains. With his “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” determination and raw sense of individualism, in many ways he came to symbolize everything that Americans held dear. His characters, tough as nails, were always idealistic adventurers seeking to right the wrongs of the world. But who was John Wayne? Born Marion Morrison, most don’t even know his real name. In this book, we will cut through all the hype and get to the real man behind the legend of John Wayne. Inside you will read about... ✓ The Boy Named Marion Morrison ✓ Becoming John Wayne ✓ Stuck in the B-List ✓ Riding the Stagecoach to Success ✓ War and Love Affairs ✓ Late Life and Lung Cancer And much more! Series Biographies of Actors Book 5
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
199 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 18, 2024
JOHN WAYNE THE MAN WHO EVERYONE HAS COME TO THINK OF AS THE HERO OF THE WILD WEST MOVIES
John Wayne's roles, for the most part, portrayed the good guy hero, seeking to right wrongs, protect those that were not able to protect themselves, and seek justice for evildoers. His life was one of humble and somewhat filled with hardships from early on. Though he played many roles as a hero, he had more than a few issues maintaining control of his cheating ways when it came to his three wifes causing the end of their marriage. With seven kids, that must put added stress on family relationships. This books speaks in great detail on some of the movies John Wayne started in and some of the struggles he endured from his first job at ten years old, playing college football and losing his scholarship due to an injury, working as a stagehand set of many movies prior to landing roles as extras, until he finally scored leading roles. The one thing that I was surprised that the author didn't bring up was some of the movies and follow stars that I have really enjoyed watching over and over though the years like; McLintock, Big Jake, Donovan's Reef, Hellfighters, El Dorado, and The Quiet Man just to name a few. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book on the life of John Wayne.
John Wayne's roles, for the most part, portrayed the good guy hero, seeking to right wrongs, protect those that were not able to protect themselves, and seek justice for evildoers. His life was one of humble and somewhat filled with hardships from early on. Though he played many roles as a hero, he had more than a few issues maintaining control of his cheating ways when it came to his three wifes causing the end of their marriage. With seven kids, that must put added stress on family relationships. This books speaks in great detail on some of the movies John Wayne started in and some of the struggles he endured from his first job at ten years old, playing college football and losing his scholarship due to an injury, working as a stagehand set of many movies prior to landing roles as extras, until he finally scored leading roles. The one thing that I was surprised that the author didn't bring up was some of the movies and follow stars that I have really enjoyed watching over and over though the years like; McLintock, Big Jake, Donovan's Reef, Hellfighters, El Dorado, and The Quiet Man just to name a few. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book on the life of John Wayne.
June 7, 2020
My Kindle app is acting up even after updating and restarting. That why I could not review earlier. I do not know much about John Wayne but I admire him. It was a good read. It held my interest. I only did 3 stars for these type of books do not have a reference. There is one thing I question. However, I did not research. Again, I do not know much about John Wayne.
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February 13, 2024On the Sherrif's door : " Closed. Gone to hanging ".
Next scene : People at a kind of picnic, with five lucky guys waiting to be hanged , in the middle. Relaxed, festive Sunday atmosphère . Not even 20 meters away ,some kids are swinging, happy . Finally, the ominous moment passes, and five corpses already hang on the rope. The mommies are satisfied with the show, the priest as well, the kids continue their day , swinging.
Life goes on. The shows goes on. Frankie goes to Hollywood. Elephants goes to their graveyard.
Everyone goes somewhere.
" Of course, I know who you are. You're my girl. I love you. "
( Wayne's last words before dying , going somewhere. )
Next scene : People at a kind of picnic, with five lucky guys waiting to be hanged , in the middle. Relaxed, festive Sunday atmosphère . Not even 20 meters away ,some kids are swinging, happy . Finally, the ominous moment passes, and five corpses already hang on the rope. The mommies are satisfied with the show, the priest as well, the kids continue their day , swinging.
Life goes on. The shows goes on. Frankie goes to Hollywood. Elephants goes to their graveyard.
Everyone goes somewhere.
" Of course, I know who you are. You're my girl. I love you. "
( Wayne's last words before dying , going somewhere. )
August 29, 2023
Good read
So far almost every single celebrity I've read about has cheated on their spouses and participated in substance abuse. Sad.
So far almost every single celebrity I've read about has cheated on their spouses and participated in substance abuse. Sad.
January 3, 2023
(1) For a famous conservative who eschewed "typical hollywood" he was quite a bit more scandalous than I expected. Affairs, divorces, alcoholism, etc.
(2) He had a very strong work ethic and managed to star in quite a lot of well respected classics. I just realized that I have actually never watched any of his movies (not a fan of Westerns in general) but it seems at least some of them might be worthwhile.
It seems at one point he was really iconic in American culture but now he seems so distant, I don't think many people can relate to him anymore which of course shows just how much the culture has changed.
(2) He had a very strong work ethic and managed to star in quite a lot of well respected classics. I just realized that I have actually never watched any of his movies (not a fan of Westerns in general) but it seems at least some of them might be worthwhile.
It seems at one point he was really iconic in American culture but now he seems so distant, I don't think many people can relate to him anymore which of course shows just how much the culture has changed.
March 19, 2019
Thank God its over
I have been a fan of John Wayne for decades. This piece of crap of a biography does nothing for him whatsoever. It is choppy. It is horribly written. It reads more like a gossip column than a biography. Hourly History you should be ashamed of yourself. This one defines the word "bad".
I have been a fan of John Wayne for decades. This piece of crap of a biography does nothing for him whatsoever. It is choppy. It is horribly written. It reads more like a gossip column than a biography. Hourly History you should be ashamed of yourself. This one defines the word "bad".
May 28, 2021
An introduction to The Duke
This book is a good start to learn about the life of John wayne.
It's a little choppy
a lot of details of his early life and movie career
It then speeds quickly to the end with basics
a good read
This book is a good start to learn about the life of John wayne.
It's a little choppy
a lot of details of his early life and movie career
It then speeds quickly to the end with basics
a good read
August 24, 2019
In this short biography, I feel I learned a brief outline of John Wayne's life, from is family situation growing up, to his football years and introduction to the movie sets, to his three wives, his movie career, and ultimately his battle with cancer. I did not learn what kind of father he was, although he had four children. There was a brief run down of some of his movies but nothing was mentioned of the two movies he did with Maureen O'Hara, which are my personal favorites. He cheated on his first wife, had many rows with his second wife, and then the third marriage was short lived. I did not learn much about his friendships or what he believed in. The book did say that John Wayne claimed to be very patriotic, in part because he felt guilty that he did not enlist during War War II. It is ironic that the macho, type A film hero that he was known for actually evaded the draft and was a hard drinker. At the end of the book I got there feeling there was much more to John Wayne's life and this book was only skimming over a bare outline.
November 3, 2019
. When the movie "An HH Presentation of Western Actor John Wayne (ALFTBTTE) (BOAB - 5)
HH has presented a biography on John Wayne, actor, husband and father whose movie career started in the 30's and ended in the late 70's. His movie career started with "Stagecoach" and ended with "Rooster Cogburn" I was a fond admirer of this actor and had an opportunity to see two of his films made. The first was "Men of the Fighting Lady ", which was shot at San Diego, CA in 1954. The second was "Wings of Eagles, which was shot at Pensacola, FL, in 1957. I was able to get an autograph at the both films and a hand shake at the second. I was a Navy Brat and my father was a Flying Chief, USN. Two classic war movies of the many JW filmed. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
HH has presented a biography on John Wayne, actor, husband and father whose movie career started in the 30's and ended in the late 70's. His movie career started with "Stagecoach" and ended with "Rooster Cogburn" I was a fond admirer of this actor and had an opportunity to see two of his films made. The first was "Men of the Fighting Lady ", which was shot at San Diego, CA in 1954. The second was "Wings of Eagles, which was shot at Pensacola, FL, in 1957. I was able to get an autograph at the both films and a hand shake at the second. I was a Navy Brat and my father was a Flying Chief, USN. Two classic war movies of the many JW filmed. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
November 23, 2019
This biography of John Wayne was a mixed bag for me. It talks about his beginnings, his start in the movies, his complicated relationships with women, and his death. However, I had slightly higher expectations. I certainly expected to see photos of his three wives. I also expected to see more about what made John Wayne tick. The closest we got to that is when the book mentioned that Wayne was always sorry that he did not volunteer for WWII. They went on to postulate that this grief colored his perceptions of the Vietnam War.
Yes, I knew that Wayne had a close, personal attachment to John Huston. But he also had strong relationships with other actors, etc., that weren't mentioned (Ward Bond, to name one). What there was of the book was great. (3.5 stars)
Yes, I knew that Wayne had a close, personal attachment to John Huston. But he also had strong relationships with other actors, etc., that weren't mentioned (Ward Bond, to name one). What there was of the book was great. (3.5 stars)
March 9, 2019
John Wayne's Life Outlined
If you want to know about John Wayne then this short monograph will tell you about his life, but not who he was. Wayne was a real star that stood apart from his Hollywood peers. I got the impression from reading this book that he was merely another Hollywood actor with typical Hollywood successes and personal failures. His relationships with other stars, such as Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, and many other weren't mentioned. Wayne's production company, Batjak, defined much of his movie relationships and philosophies. This book could have been so much more, but then I'm a lifelong John Wayne fan trying to relive the memories.
If you want to know about John Wayne then this short monograph will tell you about his life, but not who he was. Wayne was a real star that stood apart from his Hollywood peers. I got the impression from reading this book that he was merely another Hollywood actor with typical Hollywood successes and personal failures. His relationships with other stars, such as Maureen O'Hara, Ward Bond, and many other weren't mentioned. Wayne's production company, Batjak, defined much of his movie relationships and philosophies. This book could have been so much more, but then I'm a lifelong John Wayne fan trying to relive the memories.
December 30, 2023
Lived an exceptional Life by who standards?
The author conclude that "Wayne life an exceptional life. That just does not jive with me,or the long forgotten and disposed of, natural law. With three marriages and divorces? Abandoned relationships and children in today's world are sadly common, but NOT exceptional. I do appreciate the final mention of his conversion of heart. This to me points hugely to hope for Wayne's eternal destiny. May God forgive him for his errors and May He rest in peace.
The author conclude that "Wayne life an exceptional life. That just does not jive with me,or the long forgotten and disposed of, natural law. With three marriages and divorces? Abandoned relationships and children in today's world are sadly common, but NOT exceptional. I do appreciate the final mention of his conversion of heart. This to me points hugely to hope for Wayne's eternal destiny. May God forgive him for his errors and May He rest in peace.
June 7, 2020
A man with “True Grit”
Though I can honestly say “I was never a great fan of John Wayne”, I did enjoy several of his later movies (such as “The Searchers”, “True Grit” and “Rooster Cogburn”.
Is was an interesting person, with lots of strife and successes in his life. I’m pleased to have discovered and read this little ditty about he and his life.
Though I can honestly say “I was never a great fan of John Wayne”, I did enjoy several of his later movies (such as “The Searchers”, “True Grit” and “Rooster Cogburn”.
Is was an interesting person, with lots of strife and successes in his life. I’m pleased to have discovered and read this little ditty about he and his life.
July 27, 2020
The Duke: A True Legend
This book is a great, though short, depiction of The Duke's life. Most of his struggles and success in his professional life as well as his personal life are addressed well. John Wayne was my father's favorite movie star and he became mine, naturally. Always loved Mr. Wayne since I first saw "Stagecoach" with my father.
This book is a great, though short, depiction of The Duke's life. Most of his struggles and success in his professional life as well as his personal life are addressed well. John Wayne was my father's favorite movie star and he became mine, naturally. Always loved Mr. Wayne since I first saw "Stagecoach" with my father.
November 20, 2021
The Quintessential Movie Cowboy
This easy to read short biography of John Wayne will introduce you to the early life, marriages and some of the key movies in his career. I even chuckled a few times at a couple witty and sarcastic lines in the book. Wayne was much more than the big screen character, and you’ll get a glimpse of the man in this bio.
This easy to read short biography of John Wayne will introduce you to the early life, marriages and some of the key movies in his career. I even chuckled a few times at a couple witty and sarcastic lines in the book. Wayne was much more than the big screen character, and you’ll get a glimpse of the man in this bio.
April 26, 2023
It is John Wayne
I will say that this book is to me a bit short on his acting career, but it does seem to cover a good part of his personal life. You can say what you want about John Wayne. For me there is never going to be another one like him. As this book says he was a fine actor and it is nice to learn some more about him.
I will say that this book is to me a bit short on his acting career, but it does seem to cover a good part of his personal life. You can say what you want about John Wayne. For me there is never going to be another one like him. As this book says he was a fine actor and it is nice to learn some more about him.
March 11, 2019
A review of a great biography of a great man!!!!!!!
I choose to rate this book as a book that tells all about a great man that leaves nothing to chance!!!!!!!! This is a worthy book that should be read by all that have an worthy outlook on life to be shared by all people!!!!!!!
I choose to rate this book as a book that tells all about a great man that leaves nothing to chance!!!!!!!! This is a worthy book that should be read by all that have an worthy outlook on life to be shared by all people!!!!!!!
March 16, 2019
Good shirt biography
This short volume is a good intro biography of a great actor. I think a little less time could have been spent on his failed marriages and more time on the body of his work.
This short volume is a good intro biography of a great actor. I think a little less time could have been spent on his failed marriages and more time on the body of his work.
May 23, 2020
Great book about the duke.
I learned about John Wayne. I knew he had changed his name,buy didn’t know why. Now I do. It was an interesting book but covered more about his love life’s, marriages and divorces. It was an interesting book. Hope you enjoy it
I learned about John Wayne. I knew he had changed his name,buy didn’t know why. Now I do. It was an interesting book but covered more about his love life’s, marriages and divorces. It was an interesting book. Hope you enjoy it
November 20, 2020
I felt that this was a very good and compelling biography of John Wayne, who I thought led a very interesting life. I thought it described the successes and failures in both his working and private life each to the right extent. Very interesting.
August 20, 2021
Acute variation between public and private life.
Hourly history freebie, on fridays hourly history gives out freebies. Suitable for teens and adults. Covers his early career and three marriages.
Hourly history freebie, on fridays hourly history gives out freebies. Suitable for teens and adults. Covers his early career and three marriages.
March 10, 2019
John Wayne
A great, informative shirt biography of an American icon. He will always be a hero to so many while sadly fighting his personal demons.
A great, informative shirt biography of an American icon. He will always be a hero to so many while sadly fighting his personal demons.
September 30, 2019
Too little on his filmography. This was his contribution not his failed marriages.
December 4, 2019
A Giant in his field
The book gives a quick picture of a very complicated man. It would be interesting to read a more in depth version.
The book gives a quick picture of a very complicated man. It would be interesting to read a more in depth version.
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December 17, 2019This was a good book short and sweet. I would recommend it.
April 11, 2020
I Just Love John Wayne so I have Read quite a few of his books I really Enjoyed It Diffently going to read more of your books
May 29, 2021
Oh yes, he was a gun-totin' hero on the screen. I am always surprised at the roads these "famous beyond belief" folks have to travel. Thanks for an interesting read.
September 30, 2021
Nice breakdown of his life. This showed the ups and all the downs, and how his success was actually late in life.
February 18, 2022
A wonderful story about a wonderful man.
May 25, 2022
John Wayne
Very good book to to know the basics the life and his movies. Would Ike see or read more about each movie, still a good read.
Very good book to to know the basics the life and his movies. Would Ike see or read more about each movie, still a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews