American Titan

Searching for John Wayne

By: Marc Eliot

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

From the veteran New York Times best-selling biographer comes a major, in-depth look at one of the most enduring American icons of all time, "the Duke", John Wayne.

As he did in his best-selling biographies of Jimmy Stewart and Clint Eastwood, acclaimed Hollywood biographer Marc Eliot digs deep beneath the myth in this revealing look at the most legendary Western film hero of all time; the man with the distinctive voice, walk, and demeanor who was an inspiration to many and a symbol of American masculinity, power, and patriotism.

Eliot pays tribute to the man and the myth, identifying and analyzing the many interesting contradictions that made John Wayne who he was: an Academy Award-winning actor associated with cowboys and soldiers who didn’t like horses and never served in a war; a Republican icon who voted for Democrats Roosevelt and Truman; a white man often accused of racism who married three Mexican wives. Here are stories of the movies he made famous as well as numerous friends and legendary colleagues such as John Ford, Maureen O'Hara, Natalie Wood, and Dean Martin.

A top box-office draw for more than three decades - starring in 142 films from Stagecoach and True Grit, for which he won the Oscar to The Quiet Man and The Green Berets - John Wayne's life and career paralleled nearly the entire 20th century, from the Depression through World War II to the upheavals of the 1960s. Setting his life within the sweeping political and social transformations that defined the nation, Eliot's masterful portrait of the man they called Duke is a remarkable in depth look at a life and the "American Century" itself.

©2014 Rebel Road Inc. (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

Not the Man most People Think

An honest look at John Wayne. All the good, bad and between. Worth the listen!

John Wayne, a Legend!!

Being a generation behind John Wayne, it was refreshing to hear a good, seemingly accurate story of his life!!

Very Different Man from Screen

I've loved watching JW on screen for the past 50 years! However, this was my first opportunity to hear the personal and off screen stories that made me feel good in some cases but disappointed in others. I realized John Wayne is human and not the White Knight many of us made him out to be. For the most part I enjoyed the book, and it was worth reading. In fact I've read it twice and let me point out the narration was especially good which is truly important. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did, the good as well as the bad.

Needed a better editor.

Glaring errors abound in this pedestrian biography of the American legend. I cringe at simple mistakes in published works, especially when they are repeated. The author (or was it just the narrator) continually called Hemingway's FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS, "FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL". There are numerous other goofs and gaffes in an unrevealing, retread of the actor's life. Any visit with Duke Wayne is entertaining, but Marc Eliot's biographies are lazy, paint by number efforts. I keep reading them, but continually wonder why. Try Scott Eyman's compelling, comprehensive bio JOHN WAYNE, THE LIFE AND LEGEND, instead. Not terrible, just lightweight.

Perspective of Duke

I can't dispute some of the views shared in this biography but after reading so many on Wayne there are many things written here that do not Feel correct. It's written & read well but I would encourage the listener to take some of its content with a grain of salt so to speak.

Not the best writing or outline.

There are many other John Wayne novels out there that give and tell a better story, especially his last 7 to 8 years, vs the 40's & 50's Wayne has never been given credit for his acting. Yes he made what the ""Critic's"" like to call 'B' movies in the 30's.. The man was making a living and supporting his family,,,,but then look a just a few of his powerful movies that were never given the acting credit he deserved. EXAMPLE of just a few: RED RIVER, The SERACHERS nd maybe the saddest to get not even a nomination, THE SHOOTIST