In Search of River Phoenix

Second Publication Date: August 2010.

The complete book about the life of Academy Award nominee River Phoenix, from his parents beginning, his birth, member of a cult religion, to his TV acting, activism, veganism and movie career.
Six years in the making, this book is the product of many, many, personal interviews, telephone calls, and e-mails with over fifty of River Phoenix’s close friends, fellow actors, directors, photographers, fellow cult members, drug companions, lovers, and a few members of the Phoenix family. Their recollections give us some profound insights into River’s real life.
The book is built from research in: over four hundred newspaper and magazine articles; fifty-four television shows, specials, documentaries, movies, and videos; twenty-two books, several blog sites and the recordings of more than fifty songs from around the world.
Rather you are an old fan of his or new but looking for all there is about River this is the book for you.

"Barry Lawrence said he lived in a house on a mountaintop, that he was a vintner, and that he wanted to write every true thing he could discover about River Phoenix. He was persistent and thorough, and seemed hungry for every detail of River’s life. His devotion and research have been extraordinary. I think this book will be of great value to the memory of River, and helpful to all those who want to know more about him".- William Richert.

“Barry, that’s good. I like the chapter [11]. I do agree with Udo—what he says in the end [about the question of River possibly being gay]. The whole thing has an amazing effect on popular culture.”- Gus Van Sant.

“There is a whole new generation out there who need to know him.”- Father Stephen Wood.

“I think it is more important to talk about River Phoenix than not to talk about him.”- Udo Kier

"The best ever biography I've ever read in my life!"- Alex Vendel, Paris FR