"A fresh, innovative interpretation of the life, work, and lasting influence of the twentieth century's most iconic filmmaker. In The Twelve Lives of Alfred Hitchcock, Edward White explores the Hitchcock phenomenon-what defines it, how it was invented, what it reveals about the man at its core, and how its legacy continues to shape our cultural world. The book's twelve chapters illuminate different aspects of Hitchcock's life and work: "The Boy Who...

Profiles the life and accomplishments of the British filmmaker known for his distinctive style of directing and his films that featured suspenseful and surprising plots.

"As an adult, Hitch rigorously controlled the press's portrait of him, drawing certain carefully selected childhood anecdotes into full focus and blurring all others out. In this quick-witted portrait, Ackroyd reveals something more: a lugubriously jolly man fond of practical jokes, who smashes a once-used tea cup every morning to remind himself of the frailty of life. Iconic film stars make cameo appearances, just as Hitch did in his own films: Grace...

"A master of intricate storytelling, Hitchcock was one of the first directors whose films belonged to both popular culture and high art. By the end of his life, he had gone from being the overweight son of a greengrocer in a London suburb to Hollywood?s reigning director, whose cameo roles in his own films were one of their most anticipated features, and whose profile was recognized by millions (thanks to the television show Alfred Hitchcock Presents)....

Offering an intimate journey into the lives of eight legendary actresses whose stories help chart the course of the enigmatic director’s career, this mesmerizing account takes a modern look at both the enduring art created by a man obsessed—and the private toll that fixation took on the women in his orbit.