Chris Wade takes a look at the career of legendary actor Gene Hackman, one of the most influential and iconic screen stars in the history of cinema. The book goes through each of Hackman's movies, beginning with his bit parts on the small screen, through his breakthrough era in Bonnie and Clyde and The French Connection, his prolific run in the 80s and 90s, and way into his latter movies before he retired from the Hollywood spotlight. His remarkable filmography also includes such staples as The Conversation, Night Moves, Superman, Mississippi Burning, No Way Out, Hoosiers, Unforgiven, Get Shorty, The Birdcage, Enemy of the State, The Royal Tenenbaums, and many more. Each performance of Hackman's formidable body of work is covered in this affectionate study, and there are fresh recollections from Sharon Stone who shares her memories of working with Hackman on The Quick and the Dead.