Cagney's a pretty good writer and storyteller. Fun. ( )

Screen legend James Cagney tells a fascinating bit about his life before, during, and after his wonderful film career, though he (like many film stars in their autobiographies) doesn't think people will be interested much in the details of picture making (he's wrong about that). I could have read this book with joy if it had had three times the material. But Cagney thought of himself purely as a song-and-dance man, and didn't make much of his career. So he tells a few interesting tales, pontificates a little about the (non-) art of acting and a little more about politics, and lets it go at that. He seems to have been a genuinely nice man who never thought the magic he brought to the screen was anything but a job--like ditch-digging or house-painting, though maybe a little better paying. I wish there'd been more to this book, but what's there is excellent. ( )

There is nothing like an actor writing about himself in his own language. Cagney by Cagney is superb. Plus, he's from the lower east side at the turn of the 20th century and reminds me of stories my dad and Nama used to tell. ( )

This is a great book that shows what it was like to grow up early in the 20th century in the tough part of town where you ended up either as an actor or a criminal. Cagney is brutally honest and the book should be read by all young people today. ( )

I have very few words to say on this book, so I'll keep it brief:

1. If you want to have a new appreciation for the films of James Cagney - read this book.

2. If you want to read about an honest, down-to-earth man, quite at odds with the modern-day vision of an actor - read this book.

3. If you want to have a good time reading a book, read this book.

I was enlightened, entertained, and cheered. If you want to have the same things happen to you - you should also read it! So there. ( )