Drawing from the actor's personal letters, audiotapes and annotations on screenplays and books, the author paints a unique picture of the legendary star's off-screen life including his embrace of foreign cultures and his collection of 4,000 books.

His smiles -- Lessons of the Midwest -- Manhattan schooling -- Building the repertoire -- The epic mode, 1960-1963 -- Political films, 1963-1969 -- Annus mirabilis, 1972 -- Villains and supermen -- Citizen of the planet -- Lying for a living.