The Legend of James Dean

<p><em>The Legend of James Dean: Demonic Heroes Have Villainous Virtues</em> challenges previously conceived notions about the actor James Dean.<br /> <br />Author Derek Reeves argues that Dean was not a rebel against the establishment and that class conflict the need to redefine his public image and a desire to attack Christianity prompted the men who ran the motion picture industry in the 1950s to portray the actor as a rebel against conformity of any kind.<br /> <br />Members of the postwar generation embraced Dean as a symbol of rage and rebelliousness because they believed that the thuggish characters he played reflected his essential persona. Dean's characterization of the tough teenager gave a sense of belonging to misdirected young people whose adolescent rebellion stemmed from their inability to cope with societal demands during the Eisenhower era.</p><p>The author's analysis of Dean's legend provides rare insight into the actor's life viewed from a historical perspective. If you've ever wondered what Dean did to earn a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame you'll want to read this book which shines a spotlight on an American legend who was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1956 and 1957.</p>