STEVE MCQUEEN BOOK REVIEW
Originally posted by Buck Lovell on Tuesday, 15 November 2011 in Buck Lovell’s – American Biker Blog
Steve McQueen: The Life and Legend of a Hollywood Icon
A low calorie review by Buck Lovell
If you’re a motorcycle rider or movie buff and you don’t know the name Steve McQueen, you’re either a recluse or very young. I have always been a Steve McQueen fan and have seen all of his movies and many more than once. The movie Bullitt saw the invention of the classic car chase scene copied by many movie makers today. Bullitt was more than entertaining, it could make you car sick if you were watching it on a big screen at a theatre.
Steve McQueen had a very traumatic childhood which the book details comprehensively, including his stay at Boys Republic in Corona, California which changed his direction in life completely. As a Corona resident for many years I drove past Boys Republic on highway 71 every day for 12 years on the way to work, not knowing it was the one time home of this famous movie star. But Steve McQueen was more than a movie star, he was also a very devout biker in the true sense of the word. His very favorite motorcycle was a 1947 Indian Chief Chopper. I also had a 1947 Indian Chief Chopper, and it was the first bike I ever owned. Steve McQueen rode many different brand motorcycles in many off road races, and other rough and tumble competitions. His prowess on two wheels was commonly known. He did not however perform the motorcycle stunt in the movie “The Great Escape.” That feat was performed by his long time friend, Bud Ekins, who also was collector of two wheeled machines. You can read all about it in the book. If you’re Steve McQueen fan, this book should be in your library. If you’re not a Steve McQueen fan, you will be after reading this book. If you haven’t seen the movie Bullitt, by all means go out and rent it. It still packs a wallop. Amazon Books stocks this title.
Buck Lovell
Author: Marshall Terrill
Publisher: Triumph Books; Chicago
ISBN: 978-1-60078-388-3
624 pages 6 x 9, Hardbound
pub date 10-2010
1-color; two 16-pg 4/c inserts
