''A stunning, emotionally satisfying tale about the art of storytelling. I never wanted the lights to come up. I could not put it down'' GRAHAM NORTON

''It''s its own universe, complete with a sun, a cast of circling planets, and a limitless number of stars. Its gravity pulls you in and its far reaching, multi-layered, rollicking exuberance holds you in place. I would have been happy to live inside this book forever'' ANN PATCHETT

A wildly ambitious story of the making of a colossal, star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film, and the humble comic book that inspired it all.

Spanning 80 years of a changing America and culminating in the opening of the film, we meet a colourful cast of characters including a troubled soldier returning from war, a young boy with an artistic gift, an inspired and eccentric director, a pompous film star on the rise, a tireless production assistant and countless film crew members that together create Hollywood magic.

Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece offers an insider''s take on the momentous efforts it takes to make a film. At once a reflection on America''s past and present, on the world of show business and the real world we all live in.

Praise for Tom Hanks:

''Authentically geniune . . . a Writer with a capital W.'' Stephen Fry
''Hanks''s prose is impressive . . . fluent, convincing and confident.'' The Times
''Tom Hanks is a wise and hilarious writer with an endlessly surprising mind.'' Steve Martin