Product Description

Gregory Peck's acting career has spanned six decades, during which the ruggedly handsome actor has played everything from a jaunty reporter to an angry Western gunfighter, an honorable lawyer to an obsessed sea captain, a priest to a World War II bomber pilot. To every role, he has lent a depth and intelligence that have made him a permanent American icon. In Gregory Peck: A Biography, Gary Fishgall meticulously recounts Peck's influential life, revealing the effects of the actor on the film industry and of the film industry on the actor.

Although he planned on being a doctor, Peck was lured to the stage as a young man, leaving his native California for an uncertain existence as an actor in New York. After two years of study at the Neighborhood Playhouse in Manhattan, he made a successful Broadway debut in 1942, eventually returning to Hollywood to begin his new, high-profile life. His stunning movie career has included starring roles in such classics as Roman Holiday, Gentleman's Agreement, Cape Fear, Captain Horatio Hornblower, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit, The Yearling, and Moby-Dick. After many Academy Award nominations, Peck won an Oscar in 1962 for his moving portrayal of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird, his most celebrated film.

Despite his very public career, Peck remains an extremely private man. In this comprehensive biography, the first written with the actor's cooperation and drawn from extensive research as well as dozens of interviews with Peck's friends and associates, Gary Fishgall portrays him in his many guises: the lonely young son of divorced parents; the stalwart military cadet; the aspiring college thespian; the hot Hollywood newcomer pursued by Goldwyn, Zanuck, Mayer, and Selznick; and the handsome movie star charming the likes of Ingrid Bergman, Jennifer Jones, and Ava Gardner. Fishgall reveals the truth about Peck's unhappy first marriage, his struggle to keep his family together, and the blissful second marriage that has lasted more than forty years. Finally, Fishgall depicts Peck as the esteemed professional, graduating from leading man to gifted character actor, and as the concerned citizen, determined to extend himself beyond the bounds of his own profession. An ardent activist, Peck supports many charitable and political causes, and is unwavering in his desire to make the world a better place.

Renowned biographer of Hollywood giants such as Jimmy Stewart and Burt Lancaster, Fishgall brings an actor's and director's understanding of the movie industry to Gregory Peck. He takes readers behind the scenes of the star's numerous films, and he sets his story within the larger context of the changes and evolution of twentieth-century entertainment.

The tale of an American classic, Gregory Peck is a compelling, intimate account of a full and fascinating life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

Fishgall's least impressive work
I generally enjoy Fishgall's work, but this one doesn't seem to cut the mustard as much as the others did.You can tell as you read along Fishgall is infatuated by his subject, and that's no way to write, unless one is writing about a family member.He obviously idolized Peck, and it shows.His research is good, but for such idolatry to swho through is unprofessional.

Standard but Useful
Gary Fishgall's Gregory Peck is a standard biography, written with the approval of its subject, but not necessarily beholden to his opinions. It satisfies all the usual reasons a movie star's fans read a book like this--you get a clear picture of the actor's personality, you learn not only what films he appeared in but what work he also did on the stage and TV, you discover something of what his upbringing was like, you find out things you never knew about his family, and you get an assessment of his accomplishments as both artist and human being. Perhaps because Peck was, for the most part, a very decent human being, his life was not filled with scandal; the main tragedy of his life was the suicide of one of his sons, and, based on Fishgall's account, you really can't put the blame on Peck for having been a rotten father.

The impression of Peck the book provides is of a man who was, for the most part, comfortable in his own skin (admittedly a very beautiful skin), with high artistic goals and liberal political ideals, a man of integrity and rock solid values (apart from the presumed affairs he had during his first marriage), and someone who took his responsibilities as a movie star and public figure very, very seriously. Despite the occasional villain or mean-spirited character, his roles were mainly of men like himself, which is why he was so convincing, for example, as Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. Like many other film stars, Peck was not truly a great actor, which notion comes across once you survey the parts he played and the critical reaction to them. When he had a role that fit him well, he could be memorable, and give award-winning caliber performances. But his range was limited, and he often dragged films down when he was miscast (fairly often) or his often stolid, emotionally constrained personality failed to ignite either his character or the story in which he was involved. When he was good, he was very, very good, but when he was bad he was horrid.

The book rolls through Peck's life chronologically, touching on almost every acting or producing job he had, and is always readable. It doesn't attempt to plumb the man's soul, or to pontificate on the social relevance of his work--at least not in detail. It is a straightforward summation of a famous actor's life, with its emphasis on the man's contributions as an iconic star. Peck's own reticence about private matters and his relative lack of inappropriate behavior force this emphasis, but that doesn't make the book or the man less interesting.

A major flaw is the rather skimpy selection of photos. A book about a celebrity who appeared in so many films, and with so many great costars, cries out for photographic documentation. Fortunately, one can find lots of pictures on the Web, but it would be nice to have them in the book as well. Since the book was published not long before Peck died (in 2003), it would be nice if it were reissued with an epilogue bringing things up to date, including more information on what happened to his wife and children after he was gone.

Gregory Peck... a great biography of a great man
Author Gary Fishgall's well-researched, well-written biography of Gregory Peck is, in a word, great!It presents a comprehensive analysis of his many years as a fine actor, as well as many passages about his private life, his efforts on behalf of the arts, and his charitable contributions--in time, as well as monetary.Most of all, this book confirms what his fans have long believed:His personal life mirrored his screen persona--a man of dignity and sincerity.Who in today's cinema even comes close to matching the greatness of Peck, Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant, John Wayne, et al?If asked as a contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," my response would be, unequivocally, "no one... my final answer." I highly recommend this extraordinary biography of an extraordinary man!

Very Interesting Life
Gregory Peck was NOT one of my favorite actors.Then I read this book.Now I can see the value in his movies and in his acting.This guy was a grad of UC Berkeley.He was an intelligent person.His movies were choses as "intelligent movies".He studied acting with some of the best "method" teachers that ever lived.I believe you'll go away after reading this book with a renewed appreciation of Gregory Peck and ditto for his movies.Recommended.

An Easy Read
A nice overview of a popular public figure who is a little more complex than you might expect and not quite the lofty figure of his managed public image, but nevertheless a decent human being, like most of us.The narrative moves nicely including interesting details about the films Peck made and his relations with directors, writers, and fellow actors and the women in his life.An easy read. ... Read more

Product Description
His first screen test was a disaster, his features were large and irregular, his left ear outsized the right, yet he would one day be headlined as the Most Handsome Man in the World. And most of his leading ladies—among them, Ingrid Bergman, Jennifer Jones, Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, and Ava Gardner—would not disagree.

Irreverent, candid, refreshingly honest, Lynn Haney's carefully researched biography not only charts the remarkable career of the Oscar-winning star but also plumbs Peck's frequently troubling complexity in his off-screen roles as husband, father, lover, and son. About the tough times, Haney minces no words; but the misfortunes by no means eclipse the energy, intensity, and excitement that characterized Peck's five decades of moviemaking. This is a book filled with telling photographs, and a story cast with movie moguls from Louis B. Mayer to Darryl Zanuck, with directors from Hitchcock and Walsh to Huston and Wyler, with nearly every major luminary in Hollywood, and, starring for the first time in toto, Gregory Peck. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (10)

The Man Behind the Mask
Mr. Peck is revealed to be a career-driven man during most of the early part of his career (and something of a heavy drinker), to the detriment of himself and of his family. His successful second marriage of several decades is attributable to his wife's indulging him excessively (a state much sought after by the male of our species, but seldom found).THAT in itself is the major secret, the linch-pin for his "charmed" life. He didn't become the Atticus Finch look-a-like until much later (better late than never). The reader comes away better informed about Mr. Peck, but not necessarily in awe of or awestruck by him, and certainly not excited by the story of his life. For those seeking tales of a more adventurous life, may I suggest you try "Burt Lancaster - an American Life" by Kate Buford.

Annoying and poorly researched.
Gregory Peck is one of my favorites. I actually looked forward to reading this book. However, it is a frustraing mess of typos, errors of fact, bait and switch writing and I'm almost willing to bet, "parts" lifted from other sources, tweaked and used to fill space and take up pages.

The writing "style", what there is of it, changes depending on the subject matter. At different times, when allowing us to follow the story, the author uses "Greg did this", and "then Greg found himself...", which is fine. But on a couple of stories, "Greg" became "Peck found himself" and "Peck did this" and it was like a different writer had penned this sequence. Then, when the "story line" was concluded, it went back to "Greg."

But the most troubling are the simple typos-- ALAN LADD became ALLAN LADD and the movie SAHARA became SHAHARA and a dozen others. References to quotes of people who loved "Greg" in a movie that wouldn't be made for another six years, based on the time line of the "sequence" we were in, was also stumbling.

By the end, I found myself skipping whole pages of dreck just to get back to the "Greg" I wanted to read about. Disappointing and not recommended. But that's just me.

Gregory Peck biography
Very well written, well-documented information
Bit dry with a lot of chronological information
Dispels a few myths about his 'charmed' life in La Jolla
Shows him to be a very decent hardworking actor and person with principles
Would recommend, but would be best for a true fan of his

EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT GREGORY PECK AND THEN SOME
This was simply one of the best books I have ever read [and I have read a lot!] Not only does the author let you into Peck's life from the beginning until the end, but also adds a lot of "Hollywood scoops" that keeps you on your toes wondering what will surprise you next. There is none of the blatant " I did this, I did that" that I found while reading Ginger Rogers' autobiography. Gregory Peck was and is a Hollywood icon. To me he will always be "Atticus Finch:" a man who represents the good that is deep inside all of us. This book is a treasure!

Disappointing Biography
This should have been a well-written book about a fascinating man.But it never quite captured the sense of Mr. Peck.Part of the problem may have been the distracting and numerous typos, grammatical errors and an annoying habit of veering off onto subjects that were only slightly related and which are already the stuff of Hollywood lore, written about MANY times before. ... Read more

Product Description
All 27 books of the New Testament, King James Version, beautifully read by Gregory Peck.16 CD's, completely unabridged. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Gregory Peck reads the New Testament
Product arrived in timely manner, in good condition and was as expected.Good quality.Probably could have bought at cheaper price, but I am satisfied.

gregory peck reads new testament kjv
very nicely done,,,just listen to these cds or copy to ipod,,,or computer,,they will change your life,,no matter if you have been a christian or not,,I,m 55 and dont read much anymore,,but my ears still work,,,help spread the gospel in your town or church,,get involved,,these are the best cds i have ever heard,Find a church that agrees with the bible,,not one who has turned its back on the word of GOD,,JESUS is the son of GOD,,

New Testament Narrated Gregory Peck
A lovely narration of the New Testament, King James Version by Gregory Peck. 16 cds. ... Read more

Product Description
Within a year after arriving in Hollywood, Gregory Peck became a star. He won an Academy Award for his second film, and he has continued to earn critical acclaim from the 1940s to the present day. This book provides a brief biography of Peck, along with detailed information about all his performances in film, television, radio, and on the stage. Entries for individual productions include cast and credit information, plot synopses, and insightful commentary. ... Read more

Product Description
Arriving in Hollywood during World War II Gr egory Peck had the talent, the looks, the charisma and sheer luck to become one of the most sought-after actors of his t ime. In this biography, Michael Munn details the legendary a ctor''s life. ' ... Read more

Product Description
Famed actor Gregory Peck narrates, reading with sensitivity and power from the King James Version, a biblical translation of sublime poetic beauty. Whether you're a newcomer or an experienced Bible reader, this audio version will bring you hours of timely inspiration. The parables and lessons of the New Testament resonate through much of our religious, literary and cultural history. The New Testament, composed of twenty-seven books starts with the four Gospels which record the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Written by the disciples of Jesus Christ, this work is a source of wisdom and solace for millions around the world. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

An Exquisite Reading
This unabridged reading of the New Testament in the King James Version is exquisite in its beauty and simplicity. It has no background music, except for a short piece at the end of each book, and Gregory Peck's resonant, gorgeous voice is perfect for the poetic cadence of the text. One of the 20th century's finest actors, Peck's rendition has depth and subtlety, as he skillfully reads the Scripture with gentle emotion, and perfect enunciation.

No matter how many times one has read the Bible, hearing it in an audio version adds a new dimension to the text, whether one just listens, or reads along with it. There is a new layer of understanding that comes with hearing the entire Scripture that brings a fresh insight into certain passages. I have read several translations, and though some are very illuminating (I am partial to the Amplified Bible), I find none quite have the power and beauty of the King James Version.

Oscar winner Peck (1916-2003) recorded all 22 hours of this New Testament in 1984, in a log cabin that was a part of his property in Los Angeles that he used as a retreat and office. Produced by his son Stephen, it was a project that Peck, who said that his faith was "an anchor to windward" throughout his life, found very rewarding to complete.

Very powerful!
I have had this wonderful set for a couple of years. Mr. Peck reads the Word with strength and clarity. I prefer not having music or sound effects in the background - so this rendition is perfect for me. Hearing the Bible read seems to give me a different perspective. I always feel refreshed and encouraged after I listen to these tapes.

Just what I was looking for!
Audiofile may think that the performance is "tired", but Peck's reading of the New Testament is exactly what I wanted.No musical score, no cast of thousands; no overblown, Shakespearean dramatization.Just God's word, read clearly and simply.Gregory Peck was a fine choice, and I never tired of hearing his voice.

The only reason I rate this 4 stars instead of 5 is that I would prefer the NIV or even the NKJV over the KJV, but this is the only version that Audible.com carries (as of 10/2002).

Gregory Peck's voice is perfect
I only listened to part of one tape, but I was impressed and am considering buying it. The content is, of course, amazing. But the words are delivered by the deep sound of Gregory Peck, who somehow sounds like heactually went back in time and experienced what he's reading. It'sauthoritative! I felt like I was listening to a prophet, not an actor.

Narration makes this Bible truly delightful!
This audio version of the Bible makes the New Testament easily accessible to everyone.Both the tone and pace of delivery make it great when travelling, walking, driving or just meditating.You can also grab your Bible and read along.The narration is very soothing and makes reading the Bible a lot of fun.I highly recommend this audio series ... Read more

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This digital document is an article from Newsmakers 2004 Cumulation, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 989 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Newsmakers provides timely and informative profiles of the world's most interesting people. Separate obituaries provide concise profiles of recently deceased newsmakers. ... Read more

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Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Jack Nicholson, Charlie Chaplin, Tom Hanks, Gregory Peck, Clark Gable, John Wayne, Bing Crosby, Daniel Day-Lewis, Laurence Olivier, Lionel Barrymore, Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Charlton Heston, Humphrey Bogart, Paul Newman, Charles Laughton, Robert de Niro, Sean Penn, James Stewart, Wallace Beery, Gary Cooper, Nicolas Cage, Jeff Bridges, Russell Crowe, Kevin Spacey, Emil Jannings, Dustin Hoffman, David Niven, Ray Milland, Denzel Washington, William Holden, Henry Fonda, Spencer Tracy, Gene Hackman, Burt Lancaster, Ernest Borgnine, José Ferrer, Jeremy Irons, Roberto Benigni, Victor Mclaglen, Yul Brynner, Rod Steiger, Ben Kingsley, Rex Harrison, Maximilian Schell, Jack Lemmon, Anthony Hopkins, Robert Duvall, Lee Marvin, Alec Guinness, Jon Voight, William Hurt, James Cagney, Fredric March, Forest Whitaker, George C. Scott, Sidney Poitier, Michael Douglas, Adrien Brody, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Lukas, Richard Dreyfuss, Cliff Robertson, Jamie Foxx, Geoffrey Rush, Ronald Colman, Art Carney, Peter Finch, Robert Donat, Paul Muni, F. Murray Abraham, George Arliss, Warner Baxter, Broderick Crawford, Paul Scofield. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : William Clark Gable (1 février 1901 - 16 novembre 1960) est un acteur américain, et . Au cours de sa longue carrière, il apparaît avec les plus grandes actrices de l'époque. Joan Crawford, qui était sa partenaire favorite, joue avec lui dans huit films, Myrna Loy est à ses côtés dans sept films et il forme un duo avec Jean Harlow dans six productions. Il est aussi la star de quatre films avec Lana Turner, et trois avec Norma Shearer. Gable remporte l'oscar du meilleur acteur en 1934 pour son interprétation dans le film New York-Miami. Suit une autre nomination p...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more

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Les achats comprennent une adhésion à l'essai gratuite au club de livres de l'éditeur, dans lequel vous pouvez choisir parmi plus d'un million d'ouvrages, sans frais. Le livre consiste d'articles Wikipedia sur : Charles Bronson, Gregory Peck, Clint Eastwood, Broncho Billy Anderson, John Wayne, Tom Mix, Harry Carey, Anthony Quinn, Kirk Douglas, Earle Hodgins, Jim Corey, James Stewart, Gary Cooper, James Coburn, Jack Palance, Ward Bond, Steve Mcqueen, Henry Fonda, Yakima Canutt, Dean Martin, Robert Taylor, Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Robert Mitchum, Alan Ladd, Glenn Ford, John Ireland, Smiley Burnette, Gabby Hayes, Lee Marvin, William S. Hart, Walter Brennan, Warren Oates, Art Acord, Audie Murphy, Jack Elam, Harry Carey Jr., Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Edgar Buchanan, Joel Mccrea, Richard Widmark, Richard Dix, Hoot Gibson, Dan Duryea, Tim Mccoy, Lee Van Cleef, Marco Guglielmi, Tex Ritter, Randolph Scott, Arthur Hunnicutt, Robert Ryan, William Boyd, Bob Steele, Lash La Rue, Charles Starrett, Tom Keene, Noah Beery Jr., Francis Mcdonald, Milburn Morante. Non illustré. Mises à jour gratuites en ligne. Extrait : Clinton Elias Eastwood Jr, usuellement appelé Clint Eastwood (prononcé ), est un acteur, réalisateur, producteur et compositeur américain, né le 31 mai 1930 à San Francisco. Autodidacte, il entre grâce à des amis au studio où il interprète d'abord de petits rôles dans des séries B, puis l'un des rôles phares d'une longue série, . Il se fait alors remarquer par Sergio Leone qui l'embauche pour la Trilogie du dollar. Devenu célèbre, il interprète de nombreux rôles, d'abord pour , puis pour , notamment ceux de L'Inspecteur Harry. En 1968, il devient producteur avec la création de la société Malpaso et réalise son premier film en 1971, avec Un frisson dans la nuit. Aujourd'hui, avec plus de quatre-vingts films à son actif, parmi lesquels Impitoyable, Sur la route de Madison ou encore et plus récemment et Gran Torino, Eastwood est par...http://booksllc.net/?l=fr ... Read more