James Arness Books

i bought this book because don was a friend of my grandfather whom he nicely mentions in the biography. however, i really enjoyed it. as a pilot myself, i was fascinating by his many flying tales.

Great book on Alasks's history. Too bad such a highly skilled wonderful man had to die so young.

Don Sheldon was one of kind, and one of the greats of Alaska aviation. He was a pioneer without doubt on Denali. A good job by author James Greiner. If you liked this book, you will also like,

FLYING NORTH SOUTH EAST AND WEST, by Captain Terry Reece This book covers not only Alaska aviation, but polar expeditions, cargo flying world wide.
Flying North South East and West: Arctic to the Sahara

Good book if you are interested in Bush Pilots in Alaska and flying.
Don Sheldon was a fearless, dedicated pilot.

The man character in this book is a amazing person and pilot.
I could not believe the true live experiences this person
lived through. A great book for any one who likes non fiction.

I absolutely loved this book. It moved fast and kept me interested the entire time. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Gunsmoke or just likes stories about the Old West. Joseph West is a great writer- his second book is as moving and exciting as the first. I hope he writes many more! I loved the interplay between Matt and Kitty in this story, it was very true to what was behind the scenes on the TV show.

Joseph A. West takes you back to Dodge city with vividly drawn characters, fierce action and all the fine citizens of Dodge.
I can't wait for the next exciting tale in the series!

I really enjoyed this book. As the first book, I read this book in one day. My heart starts beating faster when I first opened the book. As the first book, Mr.West still refers to Matt Dillon as City Marshal and I guess he has his reasons. I love the romance between Matt and Kitty and Mr. West makes it clear that they are in love and everyone see's it. We can fully embrace their relationship. And for me, it's a welcome site. I know their relationship on the show was strong and they were devoted to eachother and we've seen that as far back as the first season in 1955.Though it became more obvious in the early 60's. And the writers left it all up to the viewers thoughts and I'm sure we all came up with the same result. But actually reading it and seeing it in print was heartwarming. And for me it confirmed the love they had for eachother. So if you like western action with some romance then you will like this book.

I am a huge "Gunsmoke " fan also. While Mr. West has inaccuracies such as Matt being a City Marshal, Festus reading, and a Mayor of Dodge City; overall it is a good read. Yes, Mr. West took Matt & Kitty to a different level; however, in later years of the show, the relationship may have been implied, but I don't believe it is ambiguous as it was in the earlier years. The show definitely changed with the times. Remember, Newly did start to teach Festus to read--although it was with images and not words. I would like to see more of Doc as he was an integral part of the TV show. But hey, if Mr. Arness thinks highly of the books, shouldn't we?

James Arness, Matt Dillon? The names are almost interchangeable. James Arness, however, was a much greater man than his television persona and he's still very much an iconic almost mythical being not only in Hollywood, but in the minds of almost every young boy who grew up watching his western "Gunsmoke" or any young girl who wanted to marry just that kind of man when she grew up.

James Arness, the ultra private actor, has surprised many by writing his autobiography with the talented writer James E. Wise, Jr. The book's foreword was written by a onetime Arness costar and a long time fan, the legendary Burt Reynolds. When I recently received this book, it came as a surprise. Not that publishers don't send them all the time, but for years everyone in the industry wanted to hear the story of Jim Arness. I've known another cowboy icon, Clint Walker, for many years and he and Jim are the last of the two great cowboy stars made in Hollywood. But they are also one-of-a-kind men, who are patriotic, honest, strong and loyal. They remind me very much of each other and I know that each man would be honored to be compared to the other.
James Arness was born May 26, 1923, in Minneapolis. As he was entering college, World War II was beginning and he dreamed of being a naval aviator. Young Arness's hopes were dashed when informed that his six foot seven inch height disqualified him automatically. He wrote his draft board asking that they call him up as soon as possible and so he ended up as a private in the famed Third Infantry Division where he earned a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Because of his stature, he was chosen to be first off the landing craft (to test the depth of the water) when his division landed at Anzio, Italy. He was subsequently wounded by enemy machine gun fire and spent 18 months recovering overseas in stateside hospitals.

Mr. Arness gives a full and honest account of his early years, his family, his military career, his film work in Hollywood which included appearances in the cult favorite SCI FI movies "Them!" and "The Thing." He had a long run on "Gunsmoke," a role in the highly popular television series "How the West Was Won," and his post-theatrical period is also covered in great detail. The book is not dull at any point. Arness is obviously an exciting but private person. But every page is full of new information about the iconic star. Today we have pip squeaks calling themselves stars. Arness is the real deal. Not just because of his stature, but because he is a true patriot and a real American hero.

The long anticipated, never-before-told account of one of the icons of 20th century television is well worth the read.

Some of Jim's legendary costars said the following things about him and his work. Edward Asner said, "It was a lovely company to be in. An excellent show, to sit back and let the guests do the kind of situations and problems that would be found in an anthology show: Thus giving it its lasting power." Beverly Garland said of "Gunsmoke" and Arness, "I felt it was a fine show for the kids, which made it great for the whole family. There was always a sense of family on that show." And the legendary entertainer Ruta Lee also guest starred on "Gunsmoke" and said of her appearance on the series, "In one episode Matt Dillon was to interrupt my seduction of him by picking me up out of the bed, slinging me down the hall to Miss Kitty. He did so, and in the process slammed my head against the door frame, knocking me out cold. I came to in the arms of the big Jim Arness, frantic with worry- tears in his eyes, asking if I was all right. Not everyone could bring tears to Jim's eyes. I loved it!"

This was not the most detailed autobiography I've ever read, but that in itself seems to be very telling about the man. The book, like Matt Dillon and ultimately like James Arness, was short on words and didn't say anything unkind about anyone. We could use more Hollywood role models like this one!

What an interesting life James Arness has had. His account of his experience landing at Anzio in 1944 was the best account I've seen or heard because he was a private and first out expecting not to survive. His experiences during training and up to when he was wounded were so interesting. and his care afterword also. Being a lifelong Gunsmoke fan I found this book full of exciting, interesting facts and had to re-read it immediately as the first time I was up all night reading it and was tired and thought I might have missed some facts. The second reading was even better. Mr Arness's book could have been two or three times as long. I feel he could add lots more.
Maybe he'll write a sequel. I'd buy it in an instant.

As a longtime fan of James Arness, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've had a crush on him since I played with Barbie dolls and Silly Putty, and his book gave me the opportunity to learn more about this grateful, humble, private man. I would have enjoyed a little more about his Gunsmoke years, though. Especially since he's said to be such a cut-up and prankster. But his autobiography is filled with nice photos, fan letters and lots of special memories. I was also pleasantly surprised that he'd saved so many gifts and mementos sent to him by fans. It's gratifying to know that this big man--a hero to so many--is also very real and sentimental. I look forward to his next book.

I was given this book as a gift and like it. However, on 2/8/07 I discovered the "Museum Of The American West" (at Autry National Center, Los Angeles CA) has a website where you can Special Order this identical book --personally dedicated to you and signed by 'Matt Dillon' himself!-- for the same price ($39.95). Just go to their web page and type JAMES ARNESS in the search box. It'll lead you to the right page (listing is under 'Feature Items', not 'Books'), where you can enter your personalization info and pay online. Lacking an autograph, this book here ought to sell for less.

I loved this book. I did notice that Mr. West has been paying attention to at least some of the things for which fans have criticized his Gunsmoke novels about--in particular, he's made Dillon a U.S. marshal, as is correct. This is the first of West's novels I've read, and I will say that his characterization of Matt Dillon is much more reminiscent to me of the TV (and even the radio) series than the Gary McCarthy book I read. I can't say there were no technical goofs, because I don't know enough of the ticky-tacky details of Gunsmoke's TV run to judge. However, I have been enjoying them on TVLand, and reading this book made me feel like I was watching a brand-new episode. The dialogue rang true, the actions felt in character, and it was just good to see Doc HOliday team up with Matt.

I will say this: if you lean more toward the radio series for your own Gunsmoke "canon," you might be a smidge disappointed. In an episode of the radio show, Matt did encounter Doc HOliday, and they had a very different relationship than the one they share in this book. I didn't mind this myself, because I figure the radio show is kind of an "alternate universe," since the character of Chester is so different from that of the TV series.

In short, if you like Gunsmoke, I think you'll love this book. I sure did. I look forward to reading the others in Joseph A. West's series.

I loved this book and read it in one night. Thats not surprising to anyone that knows me because I love Gunsmoke very much. I didnt like the fact that Mr. West refers to Matt Dillon as City Marshal I think it takes away from his character strength. And the fact Doc wasnt involved very much. I'm okay with the relationship Mr. West began with between Matt and Kitty because he had to start somewhere and explained it well in the first few chapters of the book. And all Gunsmoke fans completely understand and felt the love Matt and Kitty shared.

Yes, there are some inaccuracies, but these books are quite entertaining. I read the first three of Mr. West's books in two days, and enjoyed them. This is one man's interpretation of Gunsmoke, and just like any Gunsmoke fan, he writes according to his/her own slant and preferences. If you love Gunsmoke and would enjoy some new stories, these are fun.

I seldom read Westerns though I did a great deal when I was a kid. I stumbled across this book in WalMart and assumed it was the only Gunsmoke novel until I saw the #6 on the Amazon Page for Gunsmoke: The Day of the Gunfighter.

I did love the Gunsmoke TV show and it was fun to see Matt Dillon interacting with Festus, Doc Adams and Miss Kitty again. There are the expected gunfights, actully a lot of them with at least three super gunfighters and anotheer 17 geared to kill Matt or have another gunfighter turned over to them so they could kill him. There is an attempt to tie the fictional West in with the real West with mentions of an Officer Earp in Abilene, Bat Masterson whose cane is involved in the action and Doc Holliday who becomes an ally to Matt.

Ever present is a period of rain ranging from driving to flood stage until it turns to sleet and snow. Author Joseph West did do a good job of making this a film noir type of novel with the same mood sets that the great black and white films had in the forties.

I give this four stars not based on the novel, but on the foreward by James Arness himself. Arness talks about the show and about many who were involved during the 20 years it was on TV. There was, for me, some new information and this was the worth the price of the book.

I really enjoyed this book. If you read the first two books the errors and mistakes are still there. Example Matt Dillon a City Marshal. But please overlook that. The stories are still very exciting to read. And we all know the facts so sit back and enjoy the book. It's also good to see Doc back in the story. We all know Dodge wouldnt be Dodge without him. Festus is still very loyal to the Marshal and Kitty and Matt are still going strong and we continue to see that in this 3rd book.Plus I like the fact that all these stories are staying in and around Dodge. And this one has the winter theme to it and I like that because we didnt see alot of shows with the winter scene. Mr. West please continue entertaining us the these stories and I cant wait for May 2 2006 for your 4th book.