The Legend of James Dean: Demonic Heroes Have Villainous Virtues challenges previously conceived notions about the actor James Dean. 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. 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.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.
