Product Description
The only performer to earn 5 stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Gene Autry was the singing cowboy king of American entertainment. Now, in Public Cowboy No.1, Holly George-Warren offers the first serious biography of this singular individual, in a fascinating narrative that traces Autry's climb from small-town farm boy to multimillionaire. Here for the first time Autry the legend becomes a flesh-and-blood man--with all the passions, triumphs, and tragedies of a flawed icon. George-Warren recounts stories never before told, including revelations about Autry's impoverished boyhood, his adventures as an up-and-coming singer, and the impact his unbelievable success had on his personal life. The book provides equally colorful details of Autry's lengthy radio and recording career, which included such classics as "Back in the Saddle Again" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer"; his movie career, where he breathed new life into the Western genre; and his role in early television. And along the way, we see how he invested shrewdly in radio, real-estate, and television, becoming the only entertainer listed among 1990's Fortune 400. Based on exclusive access to Gene Autry's personal papers, as well as interviews with more than 100 relatives, employees, colleagues, and friends, this engaging biography brings to life a major Hollywood star--a man who, more than anyone else, put Western music and style on the American cultural map.
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Customer Reviews (18)

Well Researched Bio of the First Singing Cowboy
This long, well researched bio deserves extra praise for a complete filmography, a listing of every recording session (including who played and produced) and scores of pictures. Though the author is obviously a fan of Gene's, she doesn't shy aware from mentioning his frequent infidelities and alcoholism along with his generosity, loyalty, business acumen and talent. It was great to learn that the Autry-Rogers feud was a myth, that Gene was an early fan of Rudy Vallee and that he started his professional career recording Jimmy Rogers covers. This a must read for anyone interested in Gene or the cowboy as pop icon, and a great read for anyone who is a fan of good biography.

too much information
A good book, but more information than I needed.
I love Gene Autrey, but don't need to know the title of every record, how they were made and the name of every friend he ever had.
I'm sure what made me lukewarm, about the book, will be what someone else will love about it!

Gene Autry has been given Justice
He doesn't seek out justice, he's been given justice. This is a great book. Documents the life of singer and cowboy star Gene Autry. Owner of a chain of radio stations, and famous every holiday season for his rendition of "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer," this book is a great biography worthy of any cowboy fan.

"Everyone knew I could sing, but they didn't know I was better at arithmetic"
I recall the quote in the title from a tribute to Gene Autry in the Orange County Register shortly after his death ten years ago.

For me, Gene Autry was mostly about the music.His old movies were on television during my childhood in the 1950's, along with those of Hopalong Cassidy and Roy Rogers.I also enjoyed those shows, but I loved the songs that Gene Autry sang,"San Antonio Rose," "Rancho Grande," "The Old Lamplighter," "South of the Border," and I could go on and on.Not to mention "Back in the Saddle Again."

For an earlier generation, he was to hillbilly music what Motown artists were to race records.He opened up a narrowly marketed niche music to a much larger audience on the radio and in movies.Before Gene Autry, these market niches were so narrow that anything with fiddles and guitars on the record were automatically assumed to be hillbilly records, such that the recordings of Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of Paris were stocked in the Hillbilly section of some record stores.

Holly George-Warren has written a superb biography.Gene Autry was a man of notable weaknesses that were outweighed by his strengths.He was dealt many poor hands and bad deals but he was able to overcome it through hard work, tenacity, and personal charm.His is a great story well documented and well told.

Also, what comes to mind is how much he represented broad historical forces at work in his generation.The south wasbarely recovering from the Civil War when a devastating drought set in in the late 1920's.Gene Autry was part of the out migration of the sons of the south to the west. His life also reflected how the power center in the United States shifted southward and westward after World War II.

The hardest thing in this world is to know when to say enough is enough.In that way, he was very human, but at least he wasn't destroyed by his excesses in the way of most men.He was wealthy, yet beloved.He and his first wife loved each other to the end, despite their troubles.He married well both times.He was a great judge of talent.He lived to be 91 and was active almost to the end.Beyond hero worship, I have a subtleradmiration for him.

excellent
this book is well written and gives the ordinary person a glimpse into a special life ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Back in the Saddle Again
Great book, had been looking for it for sometime.The shipping was super, book was in great condtion.Would buy from this person again, highly recommended. Pamela A Drown

Great Book
This was a pleasure to read.Exactly as described,came in a timely manner.

Katie's Thoughts on A Western Hero
I bought Gene Autry's book after seeing him on the TV show Hee-Ha, way back in the early 80's. He was being interviewed by Roy Clark, I believe and during this interview Mr. Autry stated that he recently had published his auto-biography ( Back In The Saddle Again ) with the help of Mikey Herkowitz. I was living in West Plains, Mo. at the time and I didn't have any Idea of how to purchase his book, so I wrote to Gene, in care of the California Angels Baseball Team, in Anaheim, California to ask him were I might find a copy of his book. About 6 weeks had past when I received a letter from Mr. Autry and he had enclosed an autographed Bookplate, an 8x10 Black and White picture of some of the Angels baseball players, some Angels Decals and a very nice letter from him on his Golden West Letterhead paper. He was very nice and happy to know that he still had Fans that were still interested in his career and will being. I found out were I could order his book and did so and I read it immediately upon receiving it and of course put his autographed bookplate in it and I will charish it forever. About his book, it was very interesting, informative and very humorous. I enjoyed reading it very much, so much so that my husband got very ercked with me because I didn't want to put it down. I personally will miss Gene Autry very much. His songs, His acting and his personna on and off the Wide Screen will never be equaled by another. The fact that he took the time out of his busy schedule to write to me and included an autographed Bookplate, which said, personally autographed for Catherine LeBarron " Back In The Saddle Again" is the story of my life. I hope you enjoy reading it. Of course I did leave some parts out. With very best wishes, Gene Autry

EXCELLENTREADING BY GENE AND MICKEY HERSKOWIYZ
Just a short note. Ihave this book in my liberary it is one ifavor. GENE AUTRY WAS WITHOUT QUESTION THE BEST PERSON/SINGER/STAR/IDOLOF MY GENERATION. i have read the book several times.and learn some thing tobetter myself each time.just last week reading it to my grandson. HE WAS SOIMPRESSED he took my gene plate to hang in his bedroom THANK FOR THEMEMORIES ... Read more

Product Description
A collector's edition celebrating the world's most famous cowboy, this folio contains forty-seven songs (including all his chart toppers), the stories behind them, Autry's inspiring life story, film synopses, and the development of the Autry Museum of Western Heritage. Titles include: Back in the Saddle Again
* Dixie Cannonball
* Don't Fence Me In
* Frosty the Snowman
* Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
* Jingle Jangle Jingle (I Got Spurs)
* The Last Round-Up
* Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride
* Tumbling Tumbleweeds
* You Are My Sunshine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

The Gene Autry Book
Thank you very much for your timely delivery of The Gene Autry Book. I am enjoying it very much.
Again -- Thank you very much
Jean Bartlett

GENE AUTRY; CLASSIC WESTERN STARS; WESTERN MOVIES
I'VE OWNED THIS BOOK FOR MANY YEARS - BEFORE THE EXISTENCE OF AMAZON.COM, BUT WANTED TO ADD MY TWO CENTS-WORTH.VERY PLEASED WITH IT;GOOD PHOTOS AND REFERENCE MATERIAL; WELL DONE.

A "Must Have" For Avid Autry Fans
This book is a "must have" for any Gene Autry Fan.It has great pictures from his movies and personal appearances.You also have a list and plot summary of all the movies, tv shows and a listing of all the songs he recorded.If you are into learning about America Favorite Cowboy, the trivia questions and answers are great.I highly recommend this book if you love Gene Autry. As the author says in his introduction, "chances are that you are an avid Autry Fan if you purchased this book".A Fitting Tribute to the Legendary Singing Cowboy.

The greatest book on Autry ever written!
This book is an absolute masterpiece.It is filled with thrilling insight, and I have read at least ten times through.It is great for film fans both young and old.There is no collection that is complete withoutit. ... Read more

Product Description
Gene Autry meets the Ghost Riders in this 1955 in this young adult novel, originally published in 1955. [Facsimile Reprint Edition] ... Read more

Product Description
Johnny Bond was one of only a few members of the Autry troup to participate in every phase of Gene's incredibly successful entertainment career. And he has a story to tell-lots of them, actually. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

At long last
30 Years On The Road With Gene Autry was written by Johnny Bond in 1975 but was not published at the time. Patsy Montana told me in 1979 that Johnny would not publish it because of his friendship with Gene Autry who apparently didn't want anything negative and it mentions the dates he missed due to drinking. Overall Autry was fair with those who worked with him. There's also recollections by Bond of his own career. The book is published by Johnny Bond's daughter Sherry as it should be now that Autry and Bond have both passed on.

Fred Isenor

GENE AUTRY; WESTERN MOVIE HEROES
THIS IS A WELL-WRITTEN, VERY-DETAILED ACCOUNT OF AN AMAZING MAN. EVEN IF YOU WERE NEVER A BIG AUTRY FAN, THIS IS A VERY ENTERTAINING BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. ... Read more

Product Description
Gene Autry was the first of the wildly popular "singing cowboys" of the thirties and forties and the man who carried the flag for "western" in "country and western," popularizing the genre's marriage of seemingly disparate western and hillbilly influences. Beyond his highly successful recording career, his on-screen persona influenced an entire generation of American boys. Autry, an accomplished investor and businessman, was a longtime owner of Major League Baseball's Angels franchise. This meticulously researched biography takes the reader from Gene Autry's childhood in Oklahoma through his phenomenally successful career as a singer and actor, and covers his later triumphs in business and sports. Of particular interest is the book's detailed day-to-day treatment of Autry's performing career, with a wealth of information on each recording session and film shoot, including key personnel (e.g., songwriters, engineers, directors, crew) and interesting anecdotes. The work includes information from the author's own interviews with Autry's contemporaries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good work -- but a little shallow
This biography of the Singing Cowboy, the second complete one ever written, joins Holly George-Warren's "Public Cowboy No. 1," which also came out this year. As such they have some obvious similarities -- and also some marked differences.
I discussed George-Warren's book in another Amazon review. Cusic's biography is well written and researched, although I did spot a few factual errors having to do with the dates movies were released and the like. Minor things, but they hurt an author's credibility.
Nevertheless, Cusic does an excellent job of giving us a brisk trip through Gene Autry's remarkable life, providing anecdotes from friends, family and associates from his childhood in Texas and Oklahoma to his final days as a revered American icon. Especially fascinating are some lengthy direct quotes from Autry himself as recorded by Johnny Bond, one of the performers on his radio program, apparently from the manuscript he prepared from material he collected about his boss over the years, but never actually turned into a book. These quotes, while doing nothing to tarnish "The Cowboy's" legacy, provide a more candid, unselfconscious view of him than do his many oft-quoted statements given in numerous interviews. I've read extensively about Gene Autry for years, and I had never seen these quotes before.
Up to a point, Cusic presents Autry warts and all -- after all we all have our faults, even living legends. But for whatever reason, he steers almost entirely clear of the two aspects of Gene Autry's personality that shocked many fans who had already read "Public Cowboy No. 1:" His progressively more destructive drinking, and his numerous extramarital liaisons with women he encountered during his career, especially actress Gail Davis. I can't imagine that Cusic discovered no evidence of those less-admirable things about Gene Autry in his numerous interviews for his book; perhaps he couln't bear the thought of bringing them forth. But a definitive biography must be honest and candid.
The lack of any photographs in "Gene Autry: His Life and Career," also is a minus.
But having said all that, the book is still well worth a purchase and a read, as it gives a good portrait not only of Autry's life, but also of his character, with the exceptions I mentioned above. His fabled generosity is dealt with at length, showing that he was indeed the "guy in the white hat" in real life as well as on the screen.
The final chapters especially demonstrate Cusic's considerable affection and respect for his subject -- and why Autry deserved every bit of his astounding success.

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Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description
Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Gene Autry and Roy RogersKings of the Movie cowboys
It is an ok book but I found a couple of errors, but still alright to read. ... Read more