John Wayne: My Father

by Aissa Wayne, Steve Delsohn (Primary Contributor)

In John My Father , Aissa Wayne delves into her father's childhood, his film career, and his life off the screen. The result is an affecting portrait that offers a new perspective on one of America's most enduring hero's humanity.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 1991

Reviews

[Shirley Harber · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sister sent me this book yesterday as a birthday present. I had been meaning to read it for ages. I started reading it yesterday and couldn't put it down, it is so compelling, and I just finished it.
I have always been a huge John Wayne fan and it was interesting to read about his daughter's account of life with this huge screen icon. Wayne comes across as a sensitive, loving, hardworking and determined father and husband. Yes, he had his faults, don't we all, but reading about them has simply made him more real.
Aissa also shows us how tough it can be for children of celebrities, when they are followed everywhere by the media and not given the chance of a 'normal' life.
I recommend this book.

[Teena in Toronto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't a fan of John Wayne's (1907 - 79) but I wasn't not a fan. I like reading memoirs/bio and I thought this would be an interesting one.

It's written by his oldest daughter of his third marriage (the fifth oldest of his seven children). She tells us of his childhood. Born Marion Morrison and teased about his feminine name as a child, his parents didn't get along and eventually split up. His mother paid more attention his younger brother, Robert, and the author feels this is why as an adult he always needed constant assurance of everyone's love for him. She also tells of his experiences making movies, his friends, his wives, his relationship with his kids and dealing with cancer.

Though it was interesting, I found that it was more about the author, though, than it was about John Wayne. Because her parent were concerned about her getting kidnapped, she led a sheltered life. As a child, she had elephants at her birthday parties, got to wear diamond for magazine photospreads and traveled the world with her parents. She was born when her father was about fifty so he wasn't as hip and happening as her friends' dads. The book seemed to focus more on her reactions to having John Wayne as her dad rather than him.

The book could have been tighter ... she went into a lot of detail at times and it was all about her. But all in all, it was an interesting read.

Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2014/11...

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was loaned to me by a neighbor who is gaga over John Wayne. I'm not a John Wayne fan as far as acting goes, but I really enjoyed Aissa Wayne's book about her father. Although he was probably a hard man to live with, he was a true patriot and loved his country. I wish he were alive today to defend us still.

[Marvin Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how captivating this book is. It was a real page turner. To learn that John Wayne was a normal human being, with faults and shortcoming, concerns about finances, and fears that he had failed raising his children, helped me identify with this film superstar. Aissa's story is uniquely tender and informative. A quick read well worth the investment in time.

[Diana M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very real tribute.

I found myself remembering the Duke in different films as I read about Alissa's memories of her larger than life father. She writes clearly about her childhood, her mother, and John Wayne most of all. Her portrait of him as a kind, firm and stern father did not surprise me, and I've moved closer to the truth about the man, and what he really loved.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first nonfiction/biographical telling of John Wayne. I was apprehensive at first not wanting to tarnish the John Wayne I had grown up watching on the Big Screen. However, it was worth the read. His daughter's insight was only from a fraction of his life and how she grew up in his shadow.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book was a quick read. The book was a little weak in serious content, it would add to anyone's knowledge of the Duke.
recommended to all fans (or relatives) ha ha

[Patricia A Blyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest

I thought this book was well written and very honest. I am glad that Aissa Wayne chose to write this book about her father.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit haphazardly organized, but still a really interesting read. Aissa Wayne's tone in the book is quite honest as she discusses the good and difficult parts of being John Wayne's Daughter, and about the different facets of her own character as she discusses her own actions during her father's lifetime.

I think perhaps the part that spoke to me the most were her feelings during her father's final days as he lost his second battle with "the Big C". As someone who has undergone the same trial, I can relate. She talks about living in denial practically up to the end, which is how I was as well. Even the last time I saw my own father, I was teasing him to "get up and do a dance" because he was "killing the grass", just like he often teased me. It wasn't until he was gone that the true reality of the situation hit me, and it was like being hit by a ton of bricks.

A good book, one I enjoyed immensely.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting!

[Elaine Reinhard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! What an interesting life being part of the Wayne family complete with all the ups and downs. Well written and so intriguing.

[Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shares the life of a Hollywood daughter. she ,mentions his previous wives then delves into her life with her father, and his apparent need to be loved as he mom may have loved his brother more.

Shares her times in front of the camera and occasional travels to movie sets, his tough love and her rebellions. Towards the end it is quit insightful/emotional final days. Swearing.

[David Colwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was ok. Probably worth 3.5 stars anyway. Wasn't sure how I felt about his daughter afterwards. Mostly told from her own perspective; not much of any history prior to when she was born. In some ways I'd say there wasn't enough detail. Not a book I'd choose to read again.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful insight into The Duke written by his Daughter. Very good read

[Pattie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love John Wayne and books from his family show the man behind the myth. He had a good heart. He was human. He really, really loved his children...and that's what matters. Very nice book to read.

[Geoffrey Greeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, I am a John Wayne fan and still am. A unique glimpse at this icon from his daughters' eyes. Good stuff, great man. We need more John Wayne's.

[Cyndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Larger than life, John Wayne will always remain the epitome of an American hero, but on the big screen. In real life, he had flaws just like all the rest of the human race.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Seeing the inside moments of John Wayne and his family. This was an amazing read and I recommend this to anyone looking for a heartbreaking true story.

[Carol L · Rating 5 out of 5]

My childhood hero - John Wayne. This book allowed me to see him off of the big screen and into the realm of family, fatherhood, and personal space. Aissa presents John in the role of dad and it's heartwarming as well as brutally truthful. Life as John Wayne was bigger than life but this book brings him to our level and I loved it!!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by his daughter. He was 50 when she was born so that was different. She had a sheltered childhood but John Wayne put her in some of his movies also. I like the book, it explains what it was like to be his daughter.

[Casey McNeill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more about what it is like to have John Wayne as her father. But I really loved reading it because I could relate to a lot of the things she went through.

[Sandra Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a wonderful on john waynes life his movies, family, his ups and down in life, illness and his sad death we will all him very much. i liked it when his kids were in his movies.
sandra l