This is the long anticipated, never-before-told account of one of the icons of 20th-century TV. James Arness gives a full account of his early years and his family, his military career and his film work in Hollywood which included appearances in the cult-favorite science fiction movies ""Them!"" and ""The Thing"". He had a long run on ""Gunsmoke"" and a role in the highly popular TV miniseries ""How The West Was Won"". There are many personal revelations of interacting with some of the ""Gunsmoke"" family ensemble, such as Miss Kitty, Doc and Festus. His own work as a producer is covered. Throughout are rare, previously unpublished photographs from the author's personal collection.