| Scope:
The complete yet never told story of James Dean’s passion
for professional racing, his cars and races, within the context
of his life, the many celebrities he befriended and his stunning
Hollywood success before his tragic death at 24. The book also details
his fatal accident almost “frame-by-frame,” based on
police reports, witness testimonies and the author’s own analysis.
James Dean was
America’s first “Teenage idol” and almost single-handedly
initiated the youth revolution that swept the country in the late
50’s and ‘60’s, turning first into the Beat Generation,
then the Hippies, then the anti-establishment movement. All of this
is artfully weaved into the book, in context with James Dean extraordinary
talents – acting, music, sculpture, racing, etc. -- and revolutionary
approach to everything.
Book size: landscape
format 11” x 9” and 132 pages
Illustrations:
More than 100 top quality photographs, the majority being splendid
shots by the greatest photographers of the 1950’s such as
Sanford Roth and Dennis Stock, featuring not only James Dean, but
also celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, Marlon
Brando, Rock Hudson, Sammy Davis Jr, Ursula Andress, Zsa Zsa Gabor,
Geraldine Page, Pier Angeli, In addition, the book features some
never-before-published high-quality racing photos showing classic
Porsches, Ferraris, Jaguar, and Mercedes and vying against American
Specials on the race tracks of the 1950’s.
Author: Philippe
Defechereux is a former automotive advertising executive with great
passion and experience about cars and racing. On the occasion of
James Dean’s 40th anniversary, he published a short version
of James Dean’s racing career and fatal accident published
in French and Dutch with 40,000 copies sold to-date. In 1998, he
wrote a historical racing book titled “Watkins Glen 1948-1952
– The Definitive Illustrated History.” The book earned
many awards and extraordinary reviews. Philippe Defechereux also
writes frequent articles for car magazines. He has appeared many
times on television and done radio interviews; he will be available
for such after the book launch.
Target Audience:
Baby boomers who were alive when James Dean rose to fame, plus Generations
X and Y who know of James Dean but wish to learn more and easily
about this great American icon, including through superb visuals.
Besides North America, Great Britain, France, Germany and Japan
are natural markets for this book.
Publisher: Dalton
Watson Fine Books
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