These intriguing images, which range from sun-drenched to claustrophobic, have a dreamy quality, like a silent film. The photographs capture a graciously Bohemian culture that foreshadowed 1960's counterculture, and they faintly hint at the stylish decadence of 1920's Hollywood. They depict a time when the western regions of Los Angeles were both urbane and pastoral--a time when a starlet such as Tuesday Weld could feel comfortable driving on city streets in an open convertible--a time before personal style had degraded to the level of shaved heads, jauntily oriented baseball caps, and lapses in grooming. In photo number 120, the "Sunset Strip Riot" at Pandora's Box kicks off the 1960's upheavals that would be precisely defined by Dennis Hopper's Easy Rider just three years later. This photo is shot at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Crescent Heights, just down the road from the Hopper residence. In the background of the photo, behind the street action, is the site of The Garden of Alla, demolished 7 years previously, and perhaps the most prominent meeting place for the graciously Bohemian Hollywood crowd of the 1920's.

This book made me look at things in a different perspective. It brakes down the origin of the mind and how it reacts to things. I think it would be very helpful to those who seek self-improvement. This would be the best guidance for all of us. Because you would make the necessary changes of your negative ways.

David Dodd has assembled a wide variety of stories to inspire and encourage addicted people to get clean. I was impressed that Twelve Step groups were NOT the focus of every tale, and that the one constant was that each individual made a PERSONAL CHOICE to forego their addiction and live sober. For all the help some people get from 12-Step groups, there are many who don't "relate" to the religiousity. But this book shows that recovery is still possible and worthwhile. The fact that most of these tales are told by celebrities and artists we KNOW only increases their value. Plus, it's nice to know that my gut feeling about Steven Tyler is "on the money" - he truly IS a mensch!!

I was attracted to the many well-known names listed on the cover, but once I began reading the book, I was overwhelmed with its passion and solutions. David Dodd has done a remarkable job which is reflected in this collection of interviews. My favorite part, however, is the introduction to the book, where the author tells his personal story on how he became sober with the help of Steven Tyler. His vivid description of the events were astonishing to me, they were absolutely incredible. This is a wonderful book!

Talk about a home run! Michael Madsen hits one out of the park with Burning in Paradise. I couldn't put it down. Nothing cooled my hot summer nights like the dark chill I got from Madsen's musings. If Bukowski's works made the reader smell the stale beer on the floor, then Madsen makes you smell the leather his of trademark motorcycle jacket and the smoke of his ubiquitous Marlboro. Forget about spending Sunday at the movies. Madsen's work harkens back the work of Mannheim's Otmar Kohler, renouned for his bawdy tales of drunkenness and obesity. Pick up Michael Madsen's book and take a walk through the mind of America's coolest poet. Poetry is hip again!

Fantastic look inside a part of a man's soul. This book touched me unlike any others as some of it hit very close to home. Madsen doesn't shy away from the truth, no matter how brutal or beautiful. Particularly liked 'Virtue'. From a woman who appreciates hearing an honest opinion from a real man ... thanks Michael. Hope you write more.

This book is worth double the price. Michael Madsen has an absolutely amazing way with words and looking at life as it is. You can not read this book without having it hit you somewhere deep inside, even if you don't want to admit it. This man can see through all the layers of life and captures them perfectly.

My dad rented this movie because we somehow stumbled upon talking about this movie when discussing war, well that's only logical I guess. Anyways, I love this movie. It has truely sad moments, but it has ALOT of power, whether it looks dated or not, you can't deny the fact that this movie just kicks butt!!! Well unless you hate the 60's or something. But I don't, this was the first movie EVER to have rock music in it, like as the soundtrack. A landmark, it has major killer tunes from The Byrds, Steppen Wolf, Jimmy Hendrix, and more!!! All I know is that if you are looking to learn a little more about the way the 60's were for hippies look no further then here, it couldn't be further from the truth...My dad talks so much, I know!!! Even if I didn't live the 60's. Its definetely worth one watch at least. Not for kids for sure, had nudity, quite a bit(we are talking about a hippy movie here),drug use, and violence. A great independent film. Just check it out, forget if if it looks old WHO CARES?

God Bless ~Amy

Although I am not a motorcycle rider and I have never used psychedelic drugs, I still found this to be a great movie. If you have allowed these two elements of the film to keep you from watching it, I highly recommend putting those thoughts aside and viewing this.

The main idea of the film is freedom. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper take a motorcyle trip across the USA while heading for Mardi Gras. Although this is the destination, Peter Fonda (is looking for something. This something could be America, but you feel it is more profound than that. You receive hints from the things he says to others.

For instance, he and Hopper have stopped at a farm to fix one of the bikes and to eat. After talking with the farmer, Captain USA comments about how great it is to be here on the land doing your own thing.

Jack Nicholson has the best lines of the movie when he explains that we love to talk about freedom, but we are scared to death of people who actually live it. A very important idea considering the war that was going on at the time of this movie.

Again, I highly recommend watching this movie.

The VHS version does not do justice for hopper/fonda's masterpiece work. DVD all the way. I couldn't believe how 'new' it looked when i saw it for the first time on widescreen/dvd. This was always a favorite flick of mine. It is a classic. Yer basic story of 'drug-dealin' buddies, sell their stuff, make money, get bigger bikes and go cross country on two Harley's during the era of "Beautify America", a time of revolution and peace, love rock and roll. Rock and roll: Easy Rider has one of THE best soundtracks as well; Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" and "Born to Be Wild" fit the scenes QUITE well. The Byrd's "I wasn't born to follow", The Band's "The Weight" and Jimi's "If Six Was Nine" made their marks in history by their musical impact in this film. Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper portray Wyatt (Capt. America) and Billy (the Kid) in this biker/western cult classic. "Gotta get to Mardi Gras, man!". Luke Askew plays an awesome hippie/guru head of a hippie haven located in the middle of the desert. Jack Nicholson "George Hanson/Blum-blum-blum-tang!" plays a 'well educated' lawyer tryin' to get outta jail....it all flows together so well. The movie starts off with Wyatt and Billy snorting cocaine, then they smoke grass then they drink wine/liquor and then they trip in the gravest of places...a graveyard with two 'whores' from that house mentioned in that Animals song. After the first time I saw this film, i was inspired to go out and make my own...I may do so, someday. I think what makes this a classic flick, the fact that when it was released we had wars going on in Vietnam and at home in the US of A, between protestors and government. This flick avoids government and Vietnam war, just the war between mellow peace bikers against an irrate southern USA culture.....but it goes for the sex, drugs, rock and roll....cornerstone of any nutrious-best movie of all time.....This dvd version also features the making of the film which is interesting to listen to Dennis, Pete, Luke and other writers and crew about the troubles that made Easy Rider the classic that it is.....

This is an outstanding book for both avid James Dean fans as well as classic movie buffs. It gives a lot of insight into this enigmatic man who has continued to inspire people and influence movie making, even long after his death. My only disapointment was the fact that the book only shows his three "big" movies; East of Eden, Giant and Rebel Without a Cause. It would have been nice if the authors had included some of his television work and the other movies where he didn't have a lead role. Nonetheless, the book is well worth the price and I highly recommend it.