"Clint Eastwood represents probably the single strongest icon of heroic masculinity in popular cinema over the past quarter-century. Yet this icon seems continually to deconstruct its own stature through ironic allusion and gesture. Perhaps there is more to this player of hyperbolic manliness than first meets the eye.".

"William Beard examines Eastwood's unique position as cinematic icon and creative filmmaker, Award-winning director, producer, star, and now politician. Eastwood has evolved from problematic characters like the Man With No Name and Dirty Harry to become one of American cinema's best-respected figures.

Through detailed readings of many individual films including the masterful Unforgiven and A Perfect World, Beard helps us to understand the is/not qualities of the charismatic Eastwood figure."--BOOK JACKET.