In 1976, the critic Paul Nelson spent several weeks interviewing, legendary detective writer Ross Macdonald, creator of private eye Lew Archer. Here Macdonald discusses his meager beginnings; his dual citizenship; writers, painters, music, books, and movies he admired; and why Archer was not the most important character. Presented in a handsome, oversized format, this visual history of Macdonald's writing career is illustrated with full-color covers of the various editions of his more than two dozen books, facsimile reproductions of pages from his manuscripts, magazine spreads, and many never before seen photos of Macdonald with such friends as Kurt Vonnegut.