Dervish Dust
The Life and Words of James Coburn
by Robyn L. Coburn
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Pub Date Dec 01 2021 | Archive Date Nov 30 2021
University of Nebraska Press | Potomac Books
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Description
Dervish Dust is the authorized biography of “cool cat” actor James Coburn, covering his career, romances, friendships, and spirituality. Thoroughly researched with unparalleled access to Coburn’s friends and family, the book’s foundation is his own words in the form of letters, poetry, journals, interviews, and his previously unpublished memoirs, recorded in the months before his passing.
Dervish Dust details the life of a Hollywood legend that spanned huge changes in the entertainment and filmmaking industry. Coburn grew up in Compton after his family moved from Nebraska to California during the Great Depression. His acting career began with guest character roles in popular TV series such as The Twilight Zone, Bonanza, and Rawhide. In the 1960s Coburn was cast in supporting roles in such great pictures as The Magnificent Seven, Charade, and The Great Escape, and he became a leading man with the hit Our Man Flint. In 1999 Coburn won an Academy Award for his performance in Affliction. Younger viewers will recognize him as the voice of Henry Waternoose, the cranky boss in Monsters, Inc., and as Thunder Jack in Snow Dogs.
An individualist and deeply thoughtful actor, Coburn speaks candidly about acting, show business, people he liked, and people he didn’t, with many behind-the-scenes stories from his work, including beloved classics, intellectually challenging pieces, and less well-known projects. His films helped dismantle the notorious Production Code and usher in today’s ratings system.
Known for drum circles, playing the gong, and participating in LSD research, Coburn was New Age before it had a name. He brought his motto, Go Bravely On, with him each time he arrived on the set in the final years of his life, when he did some of his best work, garnering the admiration of a whole new generation of fans.
Advance Praise
“I spent a good portion of thirty years of James’s life with him. Dervish Dust is a must-read for anyone interested in Hollywood or the entertainment industry. A true life account of this superstar—his ups and downs, and great lessons for us to learn.”—John Paul DeJoria, billionaire philanthropist
“Finally, a book that is worthy of its subject. Robyn Coburn’s up-close and personal look at the life and career of the great James Coburn is a fascinating read that exhaustively covers not only the many memorable movies he stared in but also the fascinating characters and colleagues he met along the way. . . . [This is] a true gift for everyone who wants to know everything Coburn, from the pen of a daughter-in-law whose dedicated detective work over the past few years has led to a most welcome and definitive biography.”—Pete Hammond, chief film critic of Deadline.com and host of KCET’s Must See Movies
“There never was, there isn’t now, and there never will be another Jim Coburn! An original! Edgy, unpredictable, funny, generous, sexy, and extraordinarily sweet—all at the same time. That’s impossible to do. My friend and coworker: I miss you, Buddy. It ain’t the same without you.”—Dyan Cannon, actress, writer, and director
“Dervish Dust is a loving tribute to my friend Jim Coburn. Among the book’s many pleasures is a look at the career of a real movie star. . . . Jim felt acting was just like jazz. That’s why playing opposite him in The Last of Sheila was so enjoyable. He made sure we kept it loose, going down uncharted roads—like when he drove me in his Dino Ferrari on the Cote d’Azur at 120 miles per hour—thrilling!”—Richard Benjamin, film director and Golden Globe–winning actor
“Reading Dervish Dust transported me back to the evenings we used to share with James and Paula in their comfy upstairs den, when James would regale us with the splendid tales of his travels and war stories about his movie adventures. But of course this book is so much more—his upbringing in Nebraska until the Depression forced his family’s move to California, his days as a young actor who would become a star, and his spiritual quest for enlightenment, always accompanied by his love of jazz and how it informed him as an actor and a person.”—Susan Blakely, Golden Globe–winning actress
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781640124059 |
| PRICE | $36.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 424 |
Featured Reviews
Rhonda L, Reviewer
This is a really good biography. I knew nothing personal about James Coburn before reading this. It was interesting to learn about his youth and move into acting. His training in acting was also interesting to read about. Lots of information on his life and his tv work and movies. There were lots of quotes from him throughout, so you got to get his direct viewpoint. I highly recommend this book.
Bonnie K, Reviewer
What a great book about a great actor and human being. I have seen a lot of his movies growing up, so I was excited to read this. I am not sorry that I did! It is a great book. Written well and fun to read. It came from his perspective and his words, which made it even better. I highly recommend this book. I am sure I will read it again~
Zohar L, Reviewer
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Dervish Dust: The Life and Words of James Coburn by Robyn L. Coburn is a biography of the famous actor, covering his career, relationships, and beliefs. Ms. Coburn is a writer who works in the theatre and film industry; she is also James Coburn’s daughter-in-law.
The majority of the material for this book came from tapes James Coburn has recorded, planning his own autobiography. Dervish Dust: The Life and Words of James Coburn by Robyn L. Coburn uses much of these tapes, as well as many other resources to tell the fascinating life of the actor.
The first movie I watched with Mr. Coburn was The Magnificent Seven, which is probably still one of his most famous films. Over the years, I noticed Mr. Coburn’s roles more and more, as well as his voice-acting performances.
This is a rich and immersive biography, which doesn’t attempt to a saint of out its subject, nor lionize his memory. Mr. Coburn knows his faults, admits them, and faces up to them. For example, he knows he was a bad parent, and says so. This is something which the vast majority of people will not admit, and certainly will never put in writing. And, frankly, will think twice before putting it in an authorized biography.
Mr. Coburn has lived the life of a movie actor like everyone should. I was always wondering how come all the rich and famous “go places”, but never travel. Mr. Coburn loved to travel (as do I), and took advantage of his job to do so. I was quite envious reading about his wonderful trips around the globe.
A spiritual man who outlived many of his closest friends (Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, and director Sam Peckinpah among them), Mr. Coburn, surprisingly lacked internal introspection. This, of course, was not throughout his whole life, but for a certain period it seemed to be a glaring contradiction. The book also doesn’t shy away from Mr. Coburn’s use, and support, of using drugs when one chooses to.
Whether or not you’re a fan of Mr. Coburn, this biography is worth reading. There author used many first-hand sources, interviews, and of course James Coburn’s words to put together a comprehensive view of his life and legacy.
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