Live Fast-Die Young: Remembering the Short Life of James Dean

by John Gilmore

Book Overview

In this text, friend and lover John Gilmore reveals the truth about the real James Dean. Through letters, diaries, taped conversations and private remembrances by those closest to him, Gilmore... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560251468
• ISBN13: 9781560251460
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A BRILLIANT BOOK FOR OUR TIME

John Gilmore is one of the "hot" authors of our time; a penetrating, unbiased literary figure who has lived an extraordinary life, having been a close friend of James Dean is certainly not the least of it. This Thunder's Mouth edition is out of print but I understand a new edition is going to press soon which will include many more photos of James Dean. Any reader who wants to know the inner workings of a rich yet complex personality such as Dean's will find this book a must. Not everyone will appreciate Gilmore's candidness, for we live in a media culture that has invested decades in a program of hiding the truth and selling the lies. To wit: the reviewer who calls this minor masterpiece "garbage" (the reviewer bashes a memoir on Dean by Dizzy Sheridan as well, who also knew Dean. Seems those fortunate enough to have known Dean have a different take on him than the hack writers). A writer as controversial as Gilmore will necessarily invite applause from the intelligentsia as well as curses from the misguided, self-appointed critics of those few who are bold enough to cut through the slop and give us a glimpse of human truth. LIVE FAST-DIE YOUNG is the book favored by die-hards and not the movie mag and fluff readers. Again: an absolute must for an understanding of the genius of James Dean. Also check out LAID BARE by Gilmore.

RADIANT AND EROTIC

I guess I can say this is a muscular book, the writing is strong, muscular, and very sensual. James Dean, as portrayed by John Gilmore, a pal from the New York days before Jimmy became a star, then for a brief time after like in the spring of 1955, presents Dean as the real maverick he was, a thorn in Hollywood's side. A saddness eminates from this account as does the hypocricy of the movie business. Dean tried to be real in much the same way as the Beats struggled shortly after Dean's death to break from the suffocating conformity of the mid-1950's. James Dean comes across as a real innovator, not only in his craft and talents, but in his sexuality which is captured on target by Gilmore. A highly worthwhile read; not necessarily the red-ribbon stuff the fans might be chasing, but what's here is the nuts and bolts of a real life personality.

"Real life as it's lived--unpredictably and blindly."

The above quote is on the banner of the trade paper edition of LIVE FAST-DIE YOUNG, which I have just finished reading. This book swept me up and put me right back in the 1950's; I now understand what the whole amazing charisma of James Dean means, and why he is as important today, if not more so, than he was in his pitifully short life and career. John Gilmore, who ran with James Dean (even slept with him!), shared girls with him and a scary love of speed and wildness, gives us a picture of a time and place that rings absolutely true. I came to this book because I was so taken with Gilmore's earlier book, LAID BARE, which includes a few of the themes dealing with James Dean (he deals with many other movie stars in that earlier book), and his relationship with the late actor is explored here in the most daring and significant portrayal of James Dean that I have encountered. Can't we give this book Six stars?

It Takes Your Breath Away!

John Gilmore's writing dazzles. There is no other way to put it. Since back when I first saw "East of Eden" and "Rebel Without A Cause" there was a strong identification I felt with James Dean. More of a recognition for something I couldn't pin down until reading this book by Gilmore. He has succeeded in making his language go right to that spot in the reader, like the expression "it gets you where you live". The book has made me understand that recognition and what it was that came across the screen from Dean that has had a powerful affect on some many fans. I feel like I understand who James Dean was and what he thought and felt. I've read other books on Dean but never one where he comes so alive that he steps right out of the page, as he does in Gilmore's book. I can feel the wind on those wild motorcycle rides, and experience the warmth of the affections between the characters. Also share the timid explorations in the sexual activities, which make this book really quite remarkable. Above all, this is an intense story about some intense, very human individuals. The fact that James Dean was a major movie star only adds so much more luster to a credible and rich story. Anyone with any interest in James Dean whatsoever must read this book. It takes the reader across those muddy waters created by others cashing in on the tragic story James Dean.

Great book with much insight into James Dean!!

This is an outstanding book and a must read for the discerning James Dean fan. Gilmore gives many fascinating details about Dean - from a man who knew him well. The "review" from Kirkus Reviews, (above) unlike Gilmore's book, seems to dwell on the bisexuality of James Dean. Gilmore has written a fine book that explores every aspect of Deans' life, not dwelling on (or skipping over) anything. I was impressed with the fact that both family and friends apparently collaborated on the book. Gilmore seems to be a thoughtful, inteligent writer whose book I found to be incredibly well written. Forget the fluff from "authors" who knew James Dean for two seconds (or never met him at all). Read this book!