Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions

My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood

By: Ed Zwick

Narrated by: Ed Zwick

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER * USA TODAY BESTSELLER

“This funny, insightful, and deliciously dishy memoir” (Town & Country) from the director of Blood Diamond, The Last Samurai, Legends of the Fall, and Glory, creator of thirtysomething, and executive producer of My So-Called Life, “takes its place alongside Adventures in the Screen Trade and Easy Riders, Raging Bulls as one of the indispensable behind-the-scenes books for fans of movies and television” (Aaron Sorkin).

“I’ll be dropping a few names,” Ed Zwick confesses in the introduction to his book. “Over the years I have worked with self-proclaimed masters-of-the-universe, unheralded geniuses, hacks, sociopaths, savants, and saints.”

He has encountered these Hollywood types during four decades of directing, producing, and writing projects that have collectively received eighteen Academy Award nominations (seven wins) and sixty-seven Emmy nominations (twenty-two wins). Though there are many factors behind such success, including luck and the contributions of his creative partner Marshall Herskovitz, he’s known to have a special talent for bringing out the best in the people he’s worked with, notably the actors. In those intense collaborations, he seeks to discover the small pieces of connective tissue, vulnerability, and fellowship that can help an actor realize their character in full.

Talents whom he spotted early include Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Denzel Washington, Claire Danes, and Jared Leto. Established stars he worked closely with include Leonardo DiCaprio, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Cruise, Julia Roberts, Anne Hathaway, Daniel Craig, Jake Gyllenhaal, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Jennifer Connelly. He also sued Harvey Weinstein over the production of Shakespeare in Love—and won. He shares personal stories about all these people, and more.

Written mostly with love, sometimes with rue, this memoir “is not just a wonderfully intimate memoir. It's also an indispensable guide to the shark-infested waters of artistic integrity” (Cameron Crowe). Destined to become a new Hollywood classic, Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions is “a must-read for any film fan, and a sacred text for any aspiring filmmakers out there” (Forbes).

©2024 Ed Zwick (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

For the sake of Art.

Please tell us there is going to another book written by you. Great stories and enjoyable narration.

Very satisfying and enjoyable

I’ve long admired Mr. Zwicks movies, like Glory, Legends of the Fall, and the Last Samurai.
He doesn’t disappoint with stories about the actors and the people behind the making of these movies, as well as his many excellent television shows.
I also appreciated his honesty about the agony and anxiety that goes into creating TV and movies.

honest and insight full

I like the strong instructional takeaways at the end of each chapter, useful thoughts for those in the biz and those wanting to get into the business

An Instant Classic

Takes its place amongst the best and most honest memoirs about Hollywood and directing. Read Lumet's book first, then Zwick's and you'll be more prepared to direct a Hollywood movie than 90% of first timers. A wonderful, fast, funny, insightful read.

Ed Zwick has a new fan.

I loved “Thirty Something” series (I hope they make the sequel); I did not know of Ed Zwick.
The behind the scenes process was very informative and the anecdotes very entertaining.
Ed is a wonderful narrator, too, as good as gifted actors. I highly recommend this audiobook for others who are really interested in films; in addition, I’m sure it would be very helpful for young people in the industry.

All an all film book. Superb.

An extraordinarily generous book, with rare insights, only equalled by our how good the authors voice is.

Honest and realistic expectations of making films

I have enjoyed many of his films and television work. This is not a sugar-coated discussion of Ed Zwick’s experiences in his writing career.
This book gave me a better understanding of how hard it is to feel successful in the entertainment business when each new project is judged anew.

Broadened my appreciation of movies

I loved reading this book! I had no idea all it took for a movie to be made and the strength of character it takes for a director to turn his vision into reality. A thrilling tale of inside Hollywood!!

Great narration, fascinating stories!

I loved this guy’s movies and now I love the guy! One of the most entertaining and well written books about art, hollywood and filmmaking.

A Unique Boomer Career in Hollywood.

Ed Zwick talks us thru his up and downs in Hollywood as a successful film and TV writer/director. As one of my favorite directors of the late 80s and 90s, I peer inside his life as a collaborator with some of the biggest stars of the last 40 yrs. A wonderful meditation on failures and regrets. Zwick manages to convey his work-a-day attitude to the artistic craft of filmmaking. A good read.