KING OF THE SUNSET STRIP Every once in awhile you get a book that just takes into a world that your unfortunately (or fortunately) are never really going to experience. This is such a book. The co-author and main person in the book, Steve Stevens, was a young punk (weren't we all at that age) actor who did stints on the Annette TV show and various tough kid movies of the 1950s. Late in 1959 he received a note from a fan stating that he'd like to meet him some day. The young Stevens, on a date, shows up at that fan's location and that fan turns out to be Los Angeles gangster Mickey Cohen. Before you know it Stevens and Cohen become friends. Mr. Stevens is drawn into the life of a gangster, the parties and the violence, and much like him the reader becomes drawn into that life as well. Stevens is first exposed to the good things in the gangster's life and that only succeeds in getting him deeper inside. It's just fascinating, on it's own, to see this young man being exposed to the surreal life of a Hollywood star in the 1950s. Some of Hollywood's greatest landmarks (places and people) are included. Now, add to this the even MORE surreal life of a gangster and it's just a none stop read. As an under 24 year old life needs only be exciting and everything is perfect. Whether that means driving fast cars, out partying every night, or whatever, the chances are if the opportunity arrises, at that age, to put life in the 4th gear you're probably gonna do it. Some put on the brakes some go for it all. The result though is, basically, your own doing. You can live with it and learn from it or not. Mr. Stevens put the pedal to the metal here and came out, for what I believe, the better. This is Mr. Stevens' own personal L.A. confidential. A great visit back to L.A of the 1950s with all the gangsters, punch-outs, honeys, hey-hey and tinsel town landmarks you could want. A time long gone but, luckily, not forgotten. Highly recommended!
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