In 1982, Tennessee Williams felt that he had been dismissed by critics; summoning to New Orleans 20-year-old writer, James Grissom—who had written an unsolicited letter to the great playwright asking for advice—Williams asked a remarkable favor of him. In hopes of finding out what his work had meant to performers, Williams sent Grissom on a journey, and the young man returned with revealing responses from such actresses as Jessica Tandy, Lillian Gish, Maureen Stapleton, Geraldine Page, and Katharine Hepburn. In this fascinating biography, Grissom reflects on his pivotal friendship with Williams, and grants readers a memorable insider's look at the Pulitzer Prize–winning dramatist.