[close] Five decades after the death of James Dean, he is still revered as a distant myth and remains an enigma to a generation that hardly knows him. Yet it is this generation that has made him the most idolized actor of all time. While his film career lasted only sixteen months, it produced three cinematic greats: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant.

John Howlett conducted extensive research and interviews with actors and directors who knew Dean, to produce a revealing portrait of a complex and tragic man — the perfect embodiment of an eternal struggle who was an inspiration to several generations of rebels without a cause. His anguish was exquisitely genuine on and off the screen, and his moments of joy are rare and precious. Here is James Dean from all sides: his talent for interpreting and expressing his role as an actor, his rebellious nature, his personal frankness, his ever-probing curiosity, his tenacious struggle for success, and his sadness and sensitivity. Includes color photos. [close]