John Wayne: My Life with the Duke.

by Pilar Wayne

Here for the first time is the truth about the larger-than-life John Wayne, written by his wife of 25 years. Packed with rare personal photos and intimately recounted by the one who loved him best, My Life with the Duke is must reading for John Wayne's legion of admirers. "A balanced portrait of a uniquely American superstar".--Booklist.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Memoir, Film, Biography Memoir

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1987

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would turn out to be a tedious read, because right in the very first paragraph of her prologue Pilar Wayne offers up a misquote from what is likely the most iconic role her husband ever played. In describing the mountain meadow scene from True Grit Pilar claims that Ned Pepper, played by Robert Duvall, called Rooster Cogburn "a one-eyed, fat, old man". Any Duke fan knows that Duvall actually says: "I'd call that bold talk for a one-eyed fat man." The word "old" in there actually breaks up the rhythm of the insult.

As you can imagine, I read the rest of the book with a critical eye. Sure enough, I spotted some more mistakes. For the aquatic fistfight in Sons of Katie Elder Wayne is dragged off the shore into the water, not pulled from a horse as claimed by Pilar. And on Page 173 she identifies Rita Hayworth as Rita Hayward, but that could be a deliberate feminine insult instead of a sloppy mistake. Pilar was rather jealous of the pretty ladies who had been rubbing up against her old man.

In spite of the minor mistakes, I found that I was intrigued by the goings-on in the Wayne family. Pilar starts right at Day One, revealing that Duke was supposed to have been named Robert Michael Morrison and that name was duly entered on the birth certificate. The Robert was changed to Marion by his mother in order to curry favor with a moneyed relative. There are all sorts of details about Wayne family dynamics and peregrinations in here. Some of Duke's confidences about his feelings for his parents are contained in these pages, and I kept wondering if he would have said anything if he had known the words would end up in print.

I'm always a little reluctant to take memoirs like this at face value, because essentially the reader gets one person's point of view unleavened by any input from any of the other principals in the story. It shocked me to learn that the Duke had a nasty streak, but I had to ask myself: "nasty in response to what?" There are two sides to every story, and one has always to bear that in mind when he is absorbing information from either side.

I'll add one bit of a Duke speech I find pertinent to our times. Everyone knows he was a staunch Republican, as far right as you can get. But when Jimmy Carter was elected, Duke gave a speech welcoming him to the Presidency which concluded: "I know I'm considered a member of the loyal opposition -accent on loyal. I'd have it no other way." Wouldn't it be nice to see more of that thinking these days?

All things considered, I think this is an essential read for any John Wayne fan. Of course Pilar was his third wife, so the reader is coming in near the end of the story here. It doesn't help that Pilar seems to have been somewhat at odds with Wayne's progeny from his first marriage, particularly Michael, and she gets a few swipes in at him in here. In the nicest possible way, naturally. Too bad his other wives didn't put their thoughts on paper as well.

[Bronwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

about the life that john waynes widow from before her marriage to the man they called the duke, their marriage, and what led up to the end of their marriage but the friendship and caring that lasted until the dukes death in june of 1979

[Paul Hock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was an interesting perspective on a man that has influenced many. It is for the most part honest although I believe biased, allowing excuses for the side of John Wayne that was not all good. I believe he represented a pillar of strength to many of my generation post WW2. Sadly that pillar was built on a lot of false premises and male-dominated.
Having said that it gives an insight into the mentality and beliefs of generations that continue to struggle with change. I gave it a four because to understand is to read and enlighten.

[Suzanne Brayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars not because Pilar is an amazing author, although she isn't too bad, but because of the fascinating subject.

Marion Morrison is a very complex, and flawed character, much like many real people, and his last wife brings him to us in all too real a narrative.

I highly recommend.

[Elgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love what I read from former wife Pilar. Another great respective on the Duke.

[Shellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, Pilar gives a thorough and informative insight into John Wayne’s life but some things are so sad and tragic. I learned so much about old Hollywood.

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Life with the Duke is a well balanced, well written journey through Wayne's personal life, his work and touching on his legend. There is a section on his courageous fight against cancer which is told with dignity and insight. I've read other books on John Wayne and this book is the only one that truly gives a glimpse into his psyche. We get tidbits on what events and people affected him and why he made the decisions he made. He was a man who worked hard and played just about as hard. Pilar Wayne, the Duke's ex-wife wrote the book and it's evident she is still in love with him. She's also adept at sharing just enough background on how they met and her relationship with Wayne to be of interest to the reader without My Life with the Duke becoming a book about her and her life. My Life with the Duke is classic John Wayne all the way and written with the same strength that carried the Duke through his life. When I put this book down I had so many emotions running through my mind. Most of all it's just an enjoyable read on the life of an American film legend.

[Mike Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, with lots of funny and moving facts about the legend that was John Wayne. It is more detailed than the last book about him that I read, but both books are excellent. Its filled with facts like, after 2 cancer operations, 14 weeks later Wayne was filming the western,The Sons Of Katie Elder. This was the man he was, he didn't want to disappoint his fans, or the people who would draw a wage due to the film. It is also very moving, detailing the end of his life, overall a fantastic read.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pilar Wayne, John Wayne's third wife, writes of her life with the man. She also relates what she has been told of the Duke's life before her. In this work, Wayne's movie career is discussed as well as the final bout with cancer. She blames the Duke's work ethic for their seperation in his dying years. Read with a grain of salt.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting look into the life of John Wayne, as told by his widow. Pilar Wayne wrote a very good book here, describing her husband's life before he met her, the trials that formed his character, and the events of his later life. She pulls no punches, describing the complex man that her husband was, and the additional complexities that made up his entire family. A very good read.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course, John Wayne himself would always get a full five stars but this bio by his last wife , I gave only four. It was well laid out and very interesting, |I learned many things I did not know prior to its reading. I had never considered the similarities between he and Reagan until now, I have to wonder what kind of a politician he could have been.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the best biographical pieces I've encountered. Not only did she present his life in an honest way but also left the reader with a sense of the depths their shared love reached.

[Peter Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and informative about Wayne's life,loves,movies,friends.Well written and entertaining.

[Veronica Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

There will never be another John Wayne. Good read...keep tissues handy.