Irwin Porges (1909–1998)

Irwin Porges devoted many years of his life to this excellent massive biography which is as readable as it is heavy. (The page count doesn't tell the tale, because the book is coffee-table sized and weighs in at 5.4 pounds.) Porges had unlimited access to the Burroughs archives, and he makes great use of this access -- but he also shows an excellent ability to read between the lines of the letters and situations the book explores, and through this a fascinating compelling portrait of an interesting human being living a very interesting life emerges. This is also a great tale of early Hollywood -- and finally it's a great story of a man achieving immense success but never getting complete respect in the professional world he inhabits. This quest for respect, and its denial by the industry, gives focus and direction to the story, as you find yourself rooting for Burroughs to get the full measure of respect he deserved. All in all, this is a wonderful book, recommended first for Burroughs afficianados, but not only for them, for it is a window into an intriguing world, both real and imaginary. Well worth having on your bookshelf. ( Michael D. Sellers )… (más)