McQueen

by Christopher Sandford

Steve McQueen, one of the first "cool" film stars, remains a cultural icon the world over. His image is used to sell everything from cars, to beer, to a range of dolls. From the Cicinnati Kid to Frank Bullitt, Tom Crown to Papillon, his roles exemplified a certain school of male charm, as well as grit and a hint of menace. McQueen was born in 1930 into a poor Mid-western family to a highly strung mother and truant father. In and out of reform school from a young age, he was eventually made a ward of court and the resulting sense of abandonment never left him. His big break came with the TV saga " Dead or Alive" and the now cult-classic B-movie "The Blob". Just two years later he was one of the leading lights of tinseltown. Sandford goes on to chart McQueen's phenomenal Hollywood career, starring in some of the world's best-loved films, in tandem with his turbulent private his marriages, his bisexuality, the drink, the fast cars, casual sex and violence.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Film

508 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2001

About the author

Christopher Sandford has published acclaimed biographies of Kurt Cobain, Steve McQueen, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, and Roman Polanski. He has worked as a film and music writer and reviewer for over 20 years and frequently contributes to newspapers and magazines on both sides of the Atlantic. Rolling Stone has called him "the preeminent author in his field today."

His latest project, MASTERS OF MYSTERY (forthcoming November 2011, Palgrave Macmillan) explores Arthur Conan Doyle's and Harry Houdini's incredible friendship and fascination with Spiritualism.

Reviews

[João · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great storytelling skills from Christopher Sandford, especially for a biography. The non-linear prose can be a bit frustrating at times but in the end, it manages to keep you interested and very engaged even in the hard to stomach parts(if you read it, you'll know what I mean). Me, being a film buff, I have to single out the various parts that revealed the inner workings of Hollywood and the studio system of those days, as my favourites.

Enjoy!

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

McQueen The Biography is an interesting yet at times tedious read with the first half speculating on whether or not The Man hustled his body for both sides and whether he was playing both fields(I doubt it.)and the author later answers his own questions with those who knew him, despite that annoyance to me and the comment twice of yanqui or to the effect and of course the allegations by wives. And the author's terms of hunk etc which made me wince among other words to describe him.But the book shines once you are almost half-way. On how much The person was charitable and not in the typicalLiberal Hollywood establishment look-at-me type,even the author has fun with that poking fun at Hollywood. I am glad I read the book and Now own it. It is a very depressing but realistic read, is it myth shattering? perhaps, but the humanitarian side of the Man and his Apolitical stance in a time then as now when Hollywood should really should just act makes me smile. What he went had to go to at the end speaking from experience of someone I still mourn was very heartbreaking and you have to stand in awe as there was never complained and it seemed he found his spiritual awakening and rediscovered God Was always there(although as an Evangelist, He grew Up Catholic, he did have a Stucco Jesus And Mary Statue in the end as well his long-time Saint Christopher Medallion.) Wayne,McQueen,Bronson,Eastwood now more than ever Hollywood needs Men Like these once more,my generation sadly needs it. The book goes into detail on some movies and others fawned over, his vehicles are described but not in detail completely.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written and thoroughly researched biography of the life of Steve McQueen. The star led an exciting life and was obviously a superb actor. Having had such a rough start, McQueen suffered from the traumas for the rest of his time on earth which was way too short. The author managed, in spite of McQueen's drug addiction and complete lack of morals, to showcase a genuine talent as well as a man who had good intentions but always short-circuited himself, effectively shooting himself in the foot over and over again. There was a high price to be paid but McQueen finally did achieve what counted most, and by giving in to the only one Who can save us from ourselves.

[Amr Khashoggi · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I grew up in the 60s and 70s Steve was an icon hero of mine. It was sad for me to learn of the man behind the silver screen. I just finished reading this voluminous book and I still have to come to terms with the new discoveries about Mr. Cool but I don’t regret reading this book.

[Brettsinclair70 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biography of cinema's Mr Cool. For you Hilts,ze cooler!

[Saul Warren-howles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great biography of a fantastic man & actor. Such a painful ending.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed bio on the roller-coaster life of 'The Cooler King.' It doesn't delve too deeply into his movies or racing career but (depressingly, at times) more so examines his horrible childhood, troubled marriages, substance abuse, and fatal illness. However, his charitable nature - which he went to great lengths to downplay and/or keep quiet - is noted several times.

[Chris S · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this several years ago and recall that it wasn't particularly well written. However it's still on my book shelf and not in a charity shop so must have had some re-read value.