John Steinbeck at Top Ten Books

John Ernst Steinbeck
(1902-1968)

John Ernst Steinbeck was born in Salinas, California on February 27, 1902. Steinbeck attended Stanford University and worked odd jobs as a ranch hand and fruit picker. Originally enrolled in school as an English major, he changed to independant study and left Stanford in 1925. He wrote his first book in 1929, "Cup of Gold", romantisizing the life of the Welsh Pirate Henry Morgan. He is more well known for his books during the Great Depression. Steinbeck wrote of people caught in an uncaring world who, in defeat, remain heroic and sympathetic. Steinbeck was committed to social progress, he used his writing to raise issues of labor exploitation and the plight of the common man. John Steinbeck's writings, along with Woody Guthrie's folk music, became both symbolic and part of the "Dust Bowl" era mythology of the American mid west. Steinbecks most famous novel, "Grapes of Wrath", won him a Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and was later made into a movie of the same name. In 1962, John Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize for Literature "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception."

Steinbeck's work was belittled by academics as too sentimental to be "high art", that he simply was not a good writer. Harold Bloom did not include any of Steinbeck's works in the Western Literary Canon, saying that John Ford's movie "The Grapes of Wrath" was better than the book. "You can't read three paragraphs of Steinbeck without thinking of a poorer Hemingway, with characterizations that are contrived" Bloom noted. As for Steinbeck's Nobel Prize, "The People in Stockholm seem to have a dusty file on people no one ever heard of that they pull out when making the awards". Martin Arnold wrote in the New York Times "Steinbeck's sentimentallity ...although criticized, made him popular." Professor Laura Browder, director of creative writing at Virginia Commonwealth University says "Steinbeck works on lots of levels...he is accessible in dramatizing social issues and wasn't afraid to use sentimental devices the way Stowe did in "Uncle Tom's Cabin"".

In any case, Steinbeck's novels remain in print today and perhaps raise different controversies than when they were first published.

John Steinbeck on DVD

Biography - John Steinbeck: An American Writer (A&E DVD Archives) - A&E's Biography takes a close look at the life and career of the legendary American writer whose name evokes dust bowl-era images of Salinas, Monterey, and migrant farm workers. John Steinbeck's life story is revealed in personal photos and interviews with friends, family, and contemporaries, along with footage of the locations that inspired him. Also surveyed are the writer's foray into filmmaking and his Hollywood experiences. Discover why he was motivated to write about the land and the people who belonged to it. Learn of the trials and persecution he endured for his unwillingness to compromise the truth and the rocky personal life that accompanied his artistic struggles. A&E provides a truly comprehensive and sensitive depiction of this Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author. --Amy Levine List Price: $24.95 Our Price: $2.65 More Info!

The Grapes of Wrath - This remarkable film version of Steinbeck?s novel was nominated for seven Academy Awards®, including for Best Picture, Actor (Henry Fonda), Film Editing, Sound and Writing. John Ford won the Best Director Oscar® and actress Jane Darwell won Best Actress for her portrayal of Ma Joad, the matriarch of the struggling migrant farmer family. Following a prison term he served for manslaughter, Tom Joad returns to find his family homestead overwhelmed by weather and the greed of the banking industry. With little work potential on the horizon of the Oklahoma dust bowls, the entire family packs up and heads for the promised land ? California. But the arduous trip and harsh living conditions they encounter offer little hope, and family unity proves as daunting a challenge as any other they face.Ranking No. 21 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films, this 1940 classic is a bit dated in its noble sentimentality, but it remains a luminous example of Hollywood classicism from the peerless director of mythic Americana, John Ford. Adapted by Nunnally Johnson from John Steinbeck's classic novel, the film tells a simple story about Oklahoma farmers leaving the depression-era dustbowl for the promised land of California, but it's the story's emotional resonance and theme of human perseverance that makes the movie so richly and timelessly rewarding. It's all about the humble Joad family's cross-country trek to escape the economic devastation of their ruined farmland, beginning when Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) returns from a four-year prison term to discover that his family home is empty. He's reunited with his family just as they're setting out for the westbound journey, and thus begins an odyssey of saddening losses and strengthening hopes. As Ma Joad, Oscar-winner Jane Darwell is the embodiment of one of America's greatest social tragedies and the "Okie" spirit of pressing forward against all odds (as she says, "because we're the people"). A documentary-styled production for which Ford and cinematographer Gregg Toland demanded painstaking authenticity, The Grapes of Wrath is much more than a classy, old-fashioned history lesson. With dialogue and scenes that rank among the most moving and memorable ever filmed, it's a classic among classics--simply put, one of the finest films ever made. --Jeff Shannon List Price: $14.98 Our Price: $5.00 More Info!

Great Writers: John Steinbeck - The Great Writers series is an informative and revealing look into the lives and literary works of the foremost writers of the Twentieth Century. These stimulating shows focus on world authors whose groundbreaking works made a major impact on both literature and society around the globe. John Steinbeck (1902-1968) was born in Salinas, California and educated at Stanford University. As a youth, he worked as a ranch hand and fruit picker. His novel, Cup of Gold (1929), romanticizes the life and exploits of the famous 17th century Welsh pirate, Sir Henry Morgan. In The Pastures of Heaven (1932), a group of short stories depicting a community of southern California farmers, Steinbeck first dealt with the hardworking people and social themes associated with most of his works. Among his other early are Tortilla Flat (1935), a sympathetic portrayal of Americans of Mexican descent dwelling near Monterey, California; In Dubious Battle (1936), a novel concerned with a strike of migratory fruit pickers; and Of Mice and Men (1937), a tragic story of two itinerant farm laborers yearning for a small farm of their own. Steinbeck’s most widely known work is The Grapes of Wrath (1939; Pulitzer Prize, 1940), the stark account of a family from impoverished Oklahoma Dust Bowl migrating to California during the economic depression of the 1930s. The controversial novel, received not only as realistic fiction, but as a moving document of social protest, is an American classic. Other works include: The Moon is Down (1942), Cannery Row (1945), The Wayward Bus (1947), East of Eden (1952), The Winter of Our Discontent (1961), and America and Americans (1966). In 1962, he wrote the popular Travels with Charley, an autobiographical account of a trip across the U.S., accompanied by a pet poodle. Steinbeck was awarded the 1962 Nobel Peace Prize in Literature. He died on December 20th, 1968, in New York City. His modernization of the Arthurian legends, The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights, was published posthumously in 1976. List Price: $19.99 Our Price: $11.28 More Info!

East of Eden - Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck considered East of Eden his quintessential novel. At more than six hours, this sumptuous production brings Steinbeck’s bestseller to the screen more fully and faithfully than any other adaptation. Sweeping from Connecticut to California and from the Civil War to World War I, it follows three generations of the tumultuous Trask family: patriarch Cyrus (Warren Oates); his feuding sons, Adam and Charles (Timothy Bottoms, Bruce Boxleitner); and quarrelsome grandsons, Aron and Cal (Hart Bochner, Sam Bottoms). Through these men’s lives slithers Cathy (Jane Seymour) -- a she-serpent who holds their love and enmity. With a cast that includes Lloyd Bridges, Howard Duff, Anne Baxter, and Karen Allen, this saga explores the nature of good and evil, the origin of sin, and the hope of reconciliation. In its ambitious themes, pervasive Biblical allusions, and abiding reverence for the land, East of Eden stands as a timeless American epic. Winner of an Emmy® for best art direction and Golden Globes® for best miniseries and best actress. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE exclusive interview with Jane Seymour, biography of John Steinbeck, and cast filmographies.Bringing to life the bestselling novel by Nobel Prize winning author John Steinbeck, this TV adaptation faithfully follows the history of the Trask family from the Civil War to World War II. A recreation of the biblical story of Cain and Abel, East of Eden follows estranged half-brothers Adam and Charles (Timothy Bottoms and Bruce Boxleitner) as they reunite after the death of their father, Cyrus (Warren Oates). They live together on their father’s land, constantly quarreling, when they meet the manipulative and beautiful Cathy Ames (Jane Seymour), a prostitute with a dark past. The theme of good versus evil runs rampant throughout and entangles itself in the Trask family legacy through each generation. Jane Seymour’s brilliant portrayal of Cathy through three decades, from young runaway to aging mother, earned her a Golden Globe. Fans of Steinbeck and Seymour alike will be pleased with this retelling which won an Emmy for best art direction and Golden Globe for best miniseries. This three-disc set features a biography on John Steinbeck, exclusive interview with Jane Seymour, and cast filmographies. --Amanda Faddis List Price: $59.99 Our Price: $37.17 More Info!

Biography - John Steinbeck: An American Writer [VHS] - A&E's Biography takes a close look at the life and career of the legendary American writer whose name evokes dust bowl-era images of Salinas, Monterey, and migrant farm workers. John Steinbeck's life story is revealed in personal photos and interviews with friends, family, and contemporaries, along with footage of the locations that inspired him. Also surveyed are the writer's foray into filmmaking and his Hollywood experiences. Discover why he was motivated to write about the land and the people who belonged to it. Learn of the trials and persecution he endured for his unwillingness to compromise the truth and the rocky personal life that accompanied his artistic struggles. A&E provides a truly comprehensive and sensitive depiction of this Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author. --Amy Levine List Price: $14.95 Our Price: $49.95 More Info!

Of Mice & Men - John Steinbeck’s classic comes magnificently to life in this beautiful and stirring film starring Oscar® nominees* John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. Directed by Sinise from an adaptation by Oscar® winner** Horton Foote, this "flawless miracle of movie-making" (Susan Granger, "American Movie Classics") is a must-see for all audiences. Best friends Lennie (Malkovich) and George (Sinise) find themselves unemployed in Depression-era California, unable to keep jobs because of Lennie’s childlike mentality. But once they get hired at the Tyler Ranch, they enjoy a brief period of stability – until their supervisor’s wife (Sherilyn Fenn) becomes the victim of Lennie’s compassion, forcing George to make a compassionate decision of his own.A strong argument favors Gary Sinise's 1992 Of Mice and Men over the classic 1939 version that critics have historically preferred. As adapted by the great playwright-screenwriter Horton Foote, John Steinbeck's Depression-era masterpiece comes alive with timeless simplicity, more candid in language and behavior, and therefore more honest in its embrace of Steinbeck's beloved pair of lowly dreamers George (Sinise) and his retarded cousin Lennie (John Malkovich). On the lam, they find work as farmhands, joining a close-knit crew and trying to avoid trouble stirred by the dangerously seductive wife (Sherilyn Fenn) of the boss's sadistic son (Casey Siemaszko). There's not a false note or bad performance in the entire film; as veterans of Chicago's acclaimed Steppenwolf Theater, Malkovich and Sinise possess the compassionate chemistry that makes George and Lennie inseparable until the tragic, inevitable final scene. As director, Sinise serves the material with no-frills fidelity; it's easy to believe that Steinbeck would have approved. --Jeff Shannon List Price: $19.98 Our Price: $11.38 More Info!

Famous Authors - John Steinbeck - "Drawing on old maps, contemporary drawings and paintings, portraits and other archive material, the excellent Famous Authors series not only presents a factual outline of the writers’ lives, but also conveys a clear visual picture of the social and historical background to their writing. Recommended for all ages." –THE GOOD BOOK GUIDE Born in Salinas, California, novelist John Steinbeck was best noted for his portrayal of the proletariat. His writing realistically depicted the economically depressed in the U.S., particularly the itinerant farm laborers of California. Grapes Of Wrath is the novel which best fits this characterization. The subjects of Steinbeck’s writing and fascination included the sea, traveling and common people. His fondness for the "unfinished children of nature" was a recurring theme in his novels. Steinbeck won a Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Novel Prize for literature in 1962. List Price: $19.99 Our Price: $11.26 More Info!

The Grapes of Wrath (The Ford at Fox Collection) - This remarkable film version of Steinbeck's novel was nominated for seven Academy AwardsÂ(r), including for Best Picture, Actor (Henry Fonda), Film Editing, Sound and Writing. John Ford won the Best Director OscarÂ(r) and actress Jane Darwell won Best Actress for her portrayal of Ma Joad, the matriarch of the struggling migrant farmer family. Following a prison term he served for manslaughter, Tom Joad returns to find his family homestead overwhelmed by weather and the greed of the banking industry. With little work potential on the horizon of the Oklahoma dust bowls, the entire family packs up and heads for the promised land - California. But the arduous trip and harsh living conditions they encounter offer little hope, and family unity proves as daunting a challenge as any other they face.Ranking No. 21 on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 greatest American films, this 1940 classic is a bit dated in its noble sentimentality, but it remains a luminous example of Hollywood classicism from the peerless director of mythic Americana, John Ford. Adapted by Nunnally Johnson from John Steinbeck's classic novel, the film tells a simple story about Oklahoma farmers leaving the depression-era dustbowl for the promised land of California, but it's the story's emotional resonance and theme of human perseverance that makes the movie so richly and timelessly rewarding. It's all about the humble Joad family's cross-country trek to escape the economic devastation of their ruined farmland, beginning when Tom Joad (Henry Fonda) returns from a four-year prison term to discover that his family home is empty. He's reunited with his family just as they're setting out for the westbound journey, and thus begins an odyssey of saddening losses and strengthening hopes. As Ma Joad, Oscar-winner Jane Darwell is the embodiment of one of America's greatest social tragedies and the "Okie" spirit of pressing forward against all odds (as she says, "because we're the people"). A documentary-styled production for which Ford and cinematographer Gregg Toland demanded painstaking authenticity, The Grapes of Wrath is much more than a classy, old-fashioned history lesson. With dialogue and scenes that rank among the most moving and memorable ever filmed, it's a classic among classics--simply put, one of the finest films ever made. --Jeff Shannon List Price: $19.98 Our Price: $8.45 More Info!

Long John Silver - VCI is pleased to present this family/adventure classic, based on the characters created by Robert Lewis Stevenson, in a brand new DVD -- the likes of which have probably not been seen since its initial theatrical release! The film has been faithfully restored to its full widescreen CinemaScope glory with beautiful rich color and detail! The very entertaining soundtrack has likewise been restored from a rare original 4-track recording and remixed to Dolby Digital 5.1. Robert Newton repeats his Treasure Island role as Long John Silver. The ruthless pirate "El Toro" Mendoza has kidnapped the Governor's beautiful young daughter and captured Jim Hawkins along with her. Around Jim's neck hangs a medallion that will help Long John find more of legendary Captain Flint's buried gold, still waiting to be discovered on Treasure Island. Bonus Features: Original Trailer & TV Spot| Actors & Director Bios| Anamorphic Widescreen - Enhanced for 16x9 Monitors| Digitally Re-mastered with Before & After Restoration. Specs: DVD9; Dolby Digital 5.1; 106 minutes; Color; 2.55:1 Aspect Ratio; MPAA - NR; Year - 1954; SRP - $9.99. List Price: $9.99 Our Price: $6.52 More Info!

The Red Pony - Studio: Lions Gate Home Ent. Release Date: 07/22/2003 Run time: 91 minutes Rating: Nr List Price: $14.98 Our Price: $7.78 More Info!

John Steinbeck

Of Mice and Men (Steinbeck Centennial Edition) by John Steinbeck - Tragic tale of a retarded man and the friend who loves and tries to protect him. With illustrations from the movie starring John Malkovich and Gary Sinise. List Price: $14.00 Our Price: $6.80 More Info!

The Grapes of Wrath (Penguin Classics) by John Steinbeck - Today, nearly forty years after his death, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck remains one of America’s greatest writers and cultural figures. Over the next year, his many works published as black-spine Penguin Classics for the first time and will feature eye-catching, newly commissioned art. Of this initial group of six titles, The Grapes of Wrath is in a new edition with a completely revised introduction and, for the first time, detailed notes by leading Steinbeck scholar Robert DeMott. Penguin Classics is proud to present these seminal works to a new generation of readers—and to the many who revisit them again and again. List Price: $16.00 Our Price: $9.12 More Info!

The Pearl (Centennial Edition) by John Steinbeck - A fisherman finds the great pearl, only to lose it again. Re-issue of Steinbeck's classic. List Price: $12.00 Our Price: $6.58 More Info!

The Grapes of Wrath (Centennial Edition) by John Steinbeck - Forced from their home, the Joad family is lured to California to find work; instead they find disillusionment, exploitation, and hunger. List Price: $17.00 Our Price: $7.05 More Info!

East of Eden (Oprah's Book Club) by John Steinbeck - This sprawling and often brutal novel, set in the rich farmlands of California's Salinas Valley, follows the intertwined destinies of two families--the Trasks and the Hamiltons--whose generations helplessly reenact the fall of Adam and Eve and the poisonous rivalry of Cain and Abel. "A strange and original work of art."--New York Times Book Review. (Literature/Classics) List Price: $30.00 Our Price: $14.00 More Info!

Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck - With his dog Charley, John Steinbeck set out in his truck to explore and experience America in the 1960s. As he talked with all kinds of people, he sadly noted the passing of region speech, fell in love with Montana, and was appalled by racism in New Orleans. List Price: $10.00 Our Price: $3.10 More Info!

Cannery Row: (Centennial Edition) by John Steinbeck - Adventures of cannery workers living in the run-down waterfront section of Monterey, California. List Price: $15.00 Our Price: $7.98 More Info!

The Winter of Our Discontent (Penguin Classics) by John Steinbeck - From a swashbuckling pirate fantasy to a meditation on American morality—two classic Steinbeck novels make their black spine debuts IN AWARDING John Steinbeck the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature, the Nobel committee stated that with The Winter of Our Discontent, he had “resumed his position as an independent expounder of the truth, with an unbiased instinct for what is genuinely American.” Ethan Allen Hawley, the protagonist of the novel, works as a clerk in a grocery store that his family once owned. With the decline in their status, his wife is restless, and his teenage children are hungry for the tantalizing material comforts he cannot provide. Then one day, in a moment of moral crisis, Ethan decides to take a holiday from his own scrupulous standards. List Price: $15.00 Our Price: $8.56 More Info!

Tortilla Flat (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by John Steinbeck - Today, nearly forty years after his death, Nobel Prize winner John Steinbeck remains one of America’s greatest writers and cultural figures. We have begun publishing his many works for the first time as blackspine Penguin Classics featuring eye-catching, newly commissioned art. This season we continue with the seven spectacular and influential books East of Eden, Cannery Row, In Dubious Battle, The Long Valley, The Moon Is Down, The Pastures of Heaven, and Tortilla Flat. Penguin Classics is proud to present these seminal works to a new generation of readers—and to the many who revisit them again and again. List Price: $13.00 Our Price: $7.27 More Info!

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck - Our Price: $6.67 More Info!