A critical biography of John Wayne and his importance both in the United States and abroad as the personification of all that was decent, heroic, and distinctly American. Based on interviews and archival research.

God, Lincoln, and the Golden Gate -- He's just been playing himself all these years -- Scholarship boy -- Driven by a Ford -- Poverty row -- Suppose you could tell her you like her biscuits? -- Stagecoach -- Foreign affairs -- John Wayne and Hollywood go to war -- In the catbird seat -- New beginnings and dead ends -- All I can see is the flags -- A different war -- The unquiet man -- That'll be the day -- Second-guessing -- The country's going soft -- In harm's way -- I've just got my second wind -- Working-class hero -- Crown Prince of the silent majority -- Only a fool would think anything is forever -- You just can't give in to it -- Epilogue : our heroes have always been cowboys.