Robert Redford: The Biography

Over his 50 year career, Robert Redford has become one of the most iconic names in the celebrity landscape. Admired for his work as an actor, director, and environmental activist, Redford has filled many roles. In Callan's biography, the scope of Redford's life and career are put into perspective, from his reckless childhood in Southern California to his attempt at college, theatrical training in New York, and slow rise to success. Throughout Redford is painted as a sincere artist, thoughtful man, and stubborn individualist. Callan does a superb job making readers feel like they're getting a special glimpse inside the mind of a superstar. However, the book quickly becomes repetitive. Redford seeks artistic validation/runs up against necessary commercial compromise: he rebels/he succeeds. While this is interesting in small doses, Callan goes into detail about nearly every single picture Redford was involved with. This is great for staunch fans, but a test of patience for everyone else. Redford is an excellent subject but Callan wagers that readers will be interested in every single time Sundance nearly went bankrupt, and at almost 500 pages, that's a dangerous wager. (May)