Russell Crowe: A Life in Stories

By Gabor H. Wylie

The star of Gladiator, The Insider, and L.A. Confidential is revealed as never before.

In this innovative biography of one of Hollywood's kings, Gabor H. Wylie gives Russell Crowe fans what they've been longing for -- the stories that make up a lifetime, little anecdotal gems strung together like pearls on a necklace. The star of Gladiator, The Insider, and L.A. Confidential is revealed as never before. From Crowe's New Zealand roots to his emotional Oscar triumph, Wylie traces his journey to stardom with true stories that have textured his life along the way. Imagine Crowe's campy portrayal of transvestite Frank N. Furter in an Australian stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Or the moment Crowe revealed to his shocked father that, since the family couldn't afford to send him to university to study history as he had planned, he intended to make his way as a performer. This is Russell Crowe -- the dedicated musician, the acclaimed actor, the fascinating man -- rendered in the most intimate medium we know: the stories of his life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550224727
• ISBN13: 9781550224726
• Release Date: November 2001
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

This is a FUN book on Russell Crowe all around!

5 stars! Why? Becuz it is a FUN book on a incredibly HOT celebrity! The book is NOT a biography, so that was shocking to me, but once I got over it, I was intrigued by its wit & fun stories of things Russell's life has been made up of. You just have to get it and read it to understand! I am very happy with it and loved the stories that took me away for awhile in the world, while I read them and enjoyed it!

A very innovative biography about a very private star

This was an interesting read for me! I have been a fan of Russell Crowe's for a couple of years now and like most fans, have done extensive reading and research on him, but this is one of the most intriguing concepts in a biographical format.The author has taken documented facts about Crowe's life from various internet and media sources (many of whom I have also gleaned considerable information from) but presented it in a unique style, as stories with imagined descriptions of the actual events and dialogue between Crowe and the key players in his life. It makes for what I feel is a intimate portrait of the notoriously private star, makes him very real somehow in a way that most newspaper and magazine articles can't. And I feel it captured Russell's intense, vibrant, colorful personality. If you are a fan, you must read this book. It'll paint a fascinatingly interesting portrait of someone that I feel is a fascinatingly interesting person. If you're a new fan, it'll be a fun introduction to Russell and the many aspects of his life and his career.

Fun, witty, innovative, and informative

I agree with another reviewer that sometimes myth reveals more than reality. Gabor H. Wylie's book is a tour de force in the way of celeb bios. With wit and energy, the author provides facts and fictions on the adored and revered Russell Crowe. I recommend this book to anyone looking for an entertaining page-turner, or just a good book to curl up under the covers with.

Russell Crowe: Man & Myth

Sometimes fantasy reveals more than reality. And sometimes the best way to get to know an enigmatic superstar like Russel Crowe is to explore the myth as well as the man. Gabor H. Wylie's super book reveals more about Crowe than all the magazine articles and books (well only one other book, which was OK, but not nearly as good as this) I have read. A Life in Stories is well-written and compelling, halfway between a biography and a novel, yet focused on illuminating the real Crowe. The pictures are great (they made my wife melt--to my chagrin) and the format of the book is beautiful. Despite Carla's unfounded criticism, I can truly say that A Life in Stories is the best celebrity biography I've ever read. Crowe is an amazing actor. It's about time sometime did justice to his mysterious power.

Interesting yet informative

This book really gives information to those that are not familiar with Crowe's upbringing and the obstacles he faced to in order to become where he is today. I enjoyed it.