James Dean: At Speed

James Dean: At Speed provides a richly illustrated, precise account of Dean’s life, from his early childhood and his determination to succeed as an actor, to a minute-by-minute account of the events of September 30, 1955, and his untimely death. The unmatched accuracy and careful attention to detail of this research have earned James Dean: At Speed the endorsement of the Dean family and a personal foreword by Jimmy’s cousin, Marcus Winslow. Dean’s love affair with speed started early. By age ten he was driving around the family farm on a tractor, then on a motorized bicycle called a Whizzer. In high school he was the only teenager to own a motorcycle, a CZ 125cc, and he was famous for daredevil stunts and scaring the wits out of his classmates. In the years that followed Jimmy bought a succession of more powerful motorcycles. When his acting career generated the money that finally allowed him to purchase a proper sports car, he immediately bought a race-prepared MG, then traded that for a Porsche Speedster, with which he competed in sports car racing in Southern California. Jimmy was on his way to a race, driving his new state-of-the-art Porsche 550 Spyder, when he lost his life in an accident. This remarkable biography ends with a comprehensive epilogue that brings Jimmy’s story up to date and explains what has happened to the people and the machines that filled Jimmy’s life. This "Where are they now?" information is fascinating and intriguing, and it debunks the many myths and misconceptions that have become intertwined with Jimmy’s legend. Now, fifty years after Jimmy’s death, there are new facts and many surprises in store for the reader.

"Featuring vivid photographs, personal memorabilia, and telling reminiscences from his closest friends and family, James Dean: At Speed captures Dean's life both on and off the screen and reveals an unseen side of this quintessential American idol." -- Autobooks Books Review, March 20006 Autobooks Bookstore Review, March 2006

"In James Dean: At Speed Raskin majors on the actor's love of motorcycles, cars, motorsport and competition....Raskin takes the reader on a journey through Dean's automotive life and, sadly, has to end at the scene of his death on Highway 466." -- Classic Bike Guide Review, June 2006

"The depth of research here is commendable and the detailed study of Dean's final, fateful drive in his Porsche 550 Spyder "Little Bastard" is captivating stuff. Beautifully presented in typical David Bull style, this is excellent value and a must-have for any fan of Dean or `50s US road racing." -- Motorsport Magazine Book Review, February 2006

"Too fast to live, too young to die, bye bye. Hollywood heartthrob/racer James Dean's life and untimely death chronicled in a beautiful, large-format book." -- Road & Track Magazine Book Review,July 2006

"You probably could fill a garage with all the books published about the life of James Dean since then, but James Dean: At Speed focuses on the cars and motorcycles that entertained the mercurial star in between takes...James Dean: At Speed will be an excellent read for fans of James Dean --and for those who just love Porsches too." -- Excellence Magazine Book Review, June 2006