Steve Mcqueen

by William Claxton

Steve McQueen (1930 1980) was one of America's favorite film idols. But the star of such films as The Great Escape, Love with the Proper Stranger, Nevada Smith, The Getaway, and Papillon was largely a mystery off-screen. These photos, taken over a six-year period during the 1960s by one of the actor's best friends, show the hidden McQueen: tender, sensitive, and unpredictable.

Genres: Photography, Biography, Nonfiction

191 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2000

Reviews

[Olivia Plasencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not so much a deep read but more of an inside peak into the life of amazing actor and racer Steve McQueen. The insights from the photographer were few, but then again as a photographer myself I can tell you our job is to observe, judge light and find the best angle. William Claxton did that and then some. Some shots are from McQueen's movie sets and others are just Steve being Steve. Like racing in the desert or causing trouble in Columbus, Texas at a drug store. Many people photographed this attractive man and secretive figure but Claxton broke the wall and the pair became friends. The book even includes pictures from a personal trip the men took together with their wives. My personal favorite shots were of Steve racing, my only complaint is that the publisher decided to crop and enlarge images that forced them to show Steve up close and lose some of the vastness that Claxton, no doubt, wanted. Either way a great book for any Steve McQueen fan! It was a Christmas gift from my mother and I love it!

[Andréa Geleynse]

I am very pleased with this book and it is definitely a must-have for any McQueen fan. Claxton’s photographs showcase the real Steve doing what he loved most: racing bikes in the desert and being with his family. It is clear from the range of these photos that the photographer spent a lot of time with McQueen and several of the photos really reveal the trust McQueen had in Claxton. Some of my favourite images are those of Steve clowning around in his hotel room in NYC (p. 98-99), and Steve with his cat (p. 80-81). There are also some nice publicity stills of McQueen and Natalie Wood taken for ‘Love with the Proper Stranger’, and some really interesting shots of Steve riding his bike in the Mojave desert.

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've got the hard to find hardback edition, containing photos of McQueen, friends, and family throughout his career. If you can find it, don't hesitate to grab a copy. I have another photography book by Claxton featuring amazing photos of classic Jazz Musicians.

[Warren Thoms · Rating 5 out of 5]

The King of Cool. Nuff said.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coffee table photography book.

[Sebastián · Rating 4 out of 5]

El gran Steve McQueen. Dude amongst dudes.
Una gran colección de fotografías del actor tomadas por William Claxton. Mucho blanco y negro, mucho grano estallado. Varios autos, unas cuantas fotografías detrás de cámaras. Es una pequeña mirada al gran mundo del increíble actor norteamericano, a través de los ojos de uno de sus amigos.
Me hubiera gustado ver más fotografías de McQueen en las clásicas Bullit y Le Mans, sobre todo esta última, haber tenido un documento de la participación en la carrera, de la carrera en sí misma.

[L.S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really delightful collection of (mainly B&W) photographs. McQueen had to be a very funny and adventurous character. In these intimate shots you can find also affection and sensibility: I have in mind this one photo holding a cat and one with his little daughter. But my favorite photos are those from the set with gorgeous Natalie Wood. Just perfect!

[Evelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it, fab pics

[melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

un breve commento, sul libro e su come mi è arrivato tra le mani, lo trovate sul mio blog:
http://ragnola.blogspot.com/2009/01/r...

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++

[Sabur76 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of nice pictures.