The River Phoenix Album

I bought this book used to add to my River collection. Let me say it was like brand new. The pictures of River are priceless. His expressions, the way he had matured. It is all captured. There is one photo that I have trouble looking at actually. It had to be one of the ones shot sometime in 1993 because his face looks a little different. He is wearing a shirt and tie and he looks like James Dean literally. He would have grown into an incredible director I am sure. This book is a nice keepsake of River and I will always treaure it.

As it`s title indicates this book is full of excellent color, And some B & W all studio pictures of River Phoenix,40 in all. And has enough factual and intriguing information in the story about the life of this very talented young actor that it is a must read for any person interested in him. The author weaves an intriguing theme throught out her story about the intrersting contrasts,parallels and prophecys of his life VS his ultimate death, like his second last name, "the Phoenix sets it self on fire just to re-live the same life over again."His real last name, combined with is unusual first name to make; River Bottom.Even his middle name,the author reminds us , "Jude is after the patron saint of lost causes" several of his movies parelled his real life, his characters quite often died or were disfunctional. she is refreshingly foward hard hitting reguarding his parents and their unothodox beliefs that they passed on to their young son, "Which he had to constantly explain that to people and justify it" , further budoning him. Denning suggests His parents, Hollywood and ultimately, he himself created such a false and squeeky clean image, that no one wanted to deny. so much so..."that the paramedics who carry an antidote for herion overdose. they didn`t use it because all they were told was he had taken some valium." A well written book.

This book was a very informing summary of River Phoenix's life. The first pages start off as a scene from his last few minuets of life. Then it goes to describing the his life and his family. The info. gathered to write this book was mostly from newspaper and magazine articles. Half of the paperback was filled with large, full-paged pictures. This would be a wonderful item to add to a River Phoenix collection