There has never been a full-length biography of Mickey Spillane, the
most popular and influential mystery writer of his era--until now.
Beginning in 1947 with I, the Jury, and continuing with his next six
novels, Spillane quickly amassed a readership in the tens of millions,
becoming the bestselling novelist in the history of American publishing.
Surrounded by controversy for the overt violence and suggestive sexual
content of his iconic Mike Hammer private eye novels, Spillane was
loathed by critics but beloved by his readers.
There is, however, more to Spillane's life than the books. He also
starred as Hammer in a movie, was a circus performer, worked with the
FBI in capturing a notorious criminal, and starred in Miller Light beer
commercials that were so popular they ran for a quarter of a century.
Max Allan Collins became Spillane's friend and collaborator, continuing
the Mike Hammer series for years after the author's death, building upon
unfinished manuscripts the writer left behind. Now, with co-author James
Traylor, Collins has produced the first comprehensive and authoritative
profile of the Mystery Writers of America Grand Master. It is a
must-read for any fan of the author--or of the generations of crime
writers that were influenced by his work.
