Product Description

Sharing a passion for fast cars, among other things, Steve McQueen (1930-1980) and William Claxton became friends early in McQueen's career and remained close until his premature death. Claxton frequented McQueen throughout his many incarnations (dirt bike rider, movie actor, sports car driver, ladies man, family man, etc.), capturing at every turn another side of McQueen's enigmatic tough-guy/nice-guy personality. As this photo album demonstrates, Claxton's photographic talent and sensibilities were perfectly attuned to the actor's multifaceted character. This is the real Steve McQueen, Immortalized by Claxton's empathetic lens.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #96499 in Books
• Published on: 2004-05-28
• Original language: English, French, German
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Review
"One time when I was with him, he drove a brand new Ford convertible, with only thirty miles on the speedometer, at top speed for such a long stretch of the Texas highway that the engine began to smoke and eventually caught on fire. He slowed down and shouted to me, "Clax, when I tell you to jump, jump!" We did jump out of the car just as it burst into flames. Steve sat on the side of the country road at a safe distance from the burning vehicle and laughed his head off." - William Claxton"

Customer Reviews

Even in death, he remains an icon for the youth of today
FOR many film fans, Steve McQueen represents the epitome of cool. Even in death, he remains an icon for the youth of today and his appeal is as unwavering now as it was in his heyday, when the actor was starring in films such as Bullitt, The Great Escape, The Thomas Crown Affair and Papillon.

Steve McQueen, by his long-time friend William Claxton (an acclaimed photographer best known for his photos of the LA and New York Jazz scene in the late 40s), is as compelling an insight into the private life of the star as anything which has appeared so far and a genuine must have for any fan. Featuring over 100 black and white and colour images of the star at the beginning of his movie career in the 1960s, this is a fascinating insight into the life of a man who has been described as maverick, a rebel, a tough guy, a loner, a daredevil and a "US original''.

Packed with anecdotes and memories from Claxton, the book also features some breathtaking action shots of McQueen with his motorcycle buddies (he liked to race Triumphs in the desert), in his fast cars, and with his leading ladies and fellow actors.

But the book is not just about McQueen the rebel, it also features McQueen at his most sensitive and personal, casting light on a wonderful sense of humour and his perfectionism. Many of the photographs have never been published before, so fans won't feel short-changed, even if the price seems a little high. And if the photos aren't enough, then there are the anecdotes, featuring stories of how McQueen used to abuse cars by driving them around until they were virtually broken.

On one occasion, he pushed a vehicle so far that it caught fire while he and Claxton were still behind the wheel, forcing them to jump from it before it exploded. Steve McQueen is one of those books which just keeps getting better (nearly every photo would make a classic poster), and it would make an ideal present for any fan. Rob Carnevale

Excellent!
I was very pleased when I looked through the book at the images captured of Steve McQueen. There were many images of him with his great loves, cars and motorcycles, but fewer of him with his family than I imagined.

I think that William Claxton has captured all sides of the great star, his passion for speed, McQueen relaxed at home, in his swimming pool, on location all over the USA, and Claxton had obviously gained McQueen's trust, and some of the images are a testament to this.

All in all a great book for any collection.