An American Boy Grows Up is John Mitchum’s touching, heartfelt collection of poetry and reflections assembled posthumously by his daughter, Cindy, following his death last year. John is perhaps best known for his Grammy® nominated, John Wayne narrated, America, Why I Love Her album recorded in 1973. However, this book offers a wider view of the man, his poetry and his deep and abiding love for his country, God and the American way of life.
John’s film career spanned over 60 feature films and 800 television programs. He is perhaps best remembered as Detective DiGiorgio, Clint Eastwood’s partner in the Dirty Harry series, and also as a regular on TV’s Riverboat and F Troop series. John’s autobiography, Them Ornery Mitchum Boys offers deep insights into his childhood and relationship with his brother, Robert, but An American Boy Grows Up speaks of his soul, rather than his life.
The book is divided into sections titled “On Country”, “On Cowboys”, “On God” and a listing of song lyrics penned by John over the years. Individual poems are dedicated to his close friends, Ben Johnson, Dale Evans, Montie Montana, Herb Jeffries and the many stuntmen and actors he worked with over the years…………………………………..