Books
THE LAST KINGS OF HOLLYWOOD (Forthcoming 10 Feb 2026)
The untold, intimate story of how three young visionaries—Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg—revolutionized American cinema, creating the most iconic films in history while risking everything, redefining friendship, and shaping Hollywood as we know it.
“The Last Kings of Hollywood is a gripping thrill-ride through the lives of the flawed men who invented the modern American dreamscape. Filled with unexpected revelations and canny insight, this book provides more proof that Paul Fischer is one of the world’s finest chroniclers of culture.” — Josie Riesman, New York Times bestselling author of Ringmaster
“The Last Kings of Hollywood is a treasure chest for anyone who loves movies. Fischer somehow manages to weave a hoard of stories and interviews covering decades of Hollywood history into a reading experience that is brisk, energetic, and most of all, illuminating. You’ll be telling everyone you know tales from this fascinating book.” — Mallory O’Meara, bestselling author of Daughter of Daring
“Jaunty, vivid, and sharp, The Last Kings of Hollywood is the remarkable and true story of a cohort of filmmakers who changed cinema and pop culture completely and forever. In this tale of visionary oddballs, classic movies, and an industry determined to exploit them or grind them up or both, Paul Fischer shares a history that we know and we don’t. It’s a delight to read and learn from.” — Shawn Levy, author of The Castle on Sunset and Clint: The Man and the Movies
“The Last Kings of Hollywood is a story of ego, defiance, imagination, money, the thrill of the movies, and the catastrophe of success — and Paul Fischer unfurls it with propulsion and panache.” — Michael Schulmann, author of Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears
“Fischer, a master storyteller and researcher, goes behind the scenes in the personal and professional lives of the three auteurs — as well as a lot of their friends — who defied and beat the Hollywood system, then abandoned it, burned it to the ground or rebuilt it in their own images. Fischer expertly captures the distinctive personalities, moods, and artistic tastes and preferences of the three iconic filmmakers who produced seemingly at will one iconic movie after another. In Fischer’s hands, backlot drama is just as exciting as what ends up on screen — no small feat when we’re talking about Star Wars or The Godfather — and Fischer analyzes with clear-eyed clarity what went right and what went wrong — and how cinema was shaped by it all, for better or for worse.” — Brian Jay Jones, bestselling biographer and author of Jim Henson: The Biography and George Lucas: A Life
“A brilliant account of the most cinematically important throuple in history. In telling Spielberg, Lucas, and Coppola’s stories, their friendships, collaborations, and fallings out, Fischer’s book resembles nothing less than some of the best films they made… This is no hagiographic account, but something far more valuable: a celebration of frailty and an autopsy of success. A truly wonderful book.” — John Bleasdale, author of The Magic Hour: The Films and Hidden Life of Terrence Malick
“I didn’t think I needed another book about three old, white filmmakers, but it turns out I did. The Last Kings of Hollywood is not only exquisitely written and utterly addictive, but it also points the camera in the right direction. Paul Fischer is a worthy heir to Peter Biskind.” — Amy Raphael, author of Danny Boyle: Creating Wonder
THE MAN WHO INVENTED MOTION PICTURES (2022)
In 1888, Frenchman Louis Le Prince shot the world’s first motion picture. In 1890, he boarded a train in his home country and vanished — never to be seen again. Just a few months later, Thomas Edison announced “his” own groundbreaking motion picture device — one Le Prince’s family thought looked unsettlingly familiar…
The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures pulls back the curtain on Louis Le Prince’s life and work, dispelling the secrets that shroud each — and sheds light, for the first time, on his disappearance…
“A passionate, detailed defence of Louis Le Prince… unfurled with all the cliffhangers and red herrings of a scripted melodrama” — The New York Times Book Review
“Detailed and dramatic — a story of elusive images and unexplained death… The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures is an impressive piece of historical research” — The Times Literary Supplement
“Absorbing… bring[s] sharp forensic skills and a cool head to a narrative that has become hijacked by wild conspiracy theories” — The Sunday Times (UK)
“Mr. Fischer documents with the rigor of a historian and the flair of a true-crime writer” — The Wall Street Journal
“An absorbing tale, elegantly written and brilliantly told, with the plot twists and surprise ending worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster” — The Irish Times
“A fascinating, informative, skillfully articulated narrative of one of the forgotten figures in cinematic history” — Kirkus (starred review)
“Vivid character sketches, lyrical descriptions of the art and science of moviemaking, and a dramatic plot twist make this a must-read” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Combines firsthand accounts with dynamic writing to bring the Victorian era to life. A remarkable cast of characters (including Le Prince’s equally fascinating wife, Lizzie) makes for compelling reading” — Library Journal
“A captivating whodunit [and] a lens on the development of cinema itself… Briskly paced and elegant… Indisputably dramatic” — Harper’s Magazine
“Absorbing, forensic and jaw-dropping” — Total Film
“Partly a fascinating history, partly a surprisingly twisted whodunit, and entirely an insightful story of human intrigue” — Deborah Blum, Pulitzer-Prize winning author of The Poisoner’s Handbook
“A gripping tale that holds its own against any Hitchcockian thriller” — New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong
“Meticulous and entertaining… persuasively solves the 130-year-old mystery of Le Prince’s disappearance and death. A terrific book” — Jill Jonnes, author of Empires of Light and Eiffel’s Tower
One of the New York Times Best True Crime of 2022
Coup de Coeur - American Library in Paris Book Award (2022)
A KIM JONG-IL PRODUCTION (2015)
Before becoming the world's most notorious dictator, Kim Jong-Il ran North Korea's film industry. He directed every film made in the country but knew they were nothing compared to Hollywood. Then he hit on the perfect solution: order the kidnapping of South Korea's most famous actress and her ex-husband, the country's most acclaimed director.
In a jaw-dropping mission the couple were kidnapped, held hostage and then 'employed' to make films for the Dear Leader, including a remake of Godzilla. They gained Kim's trust - but could they escape?
“Gripping and surprisingly timely” — The New York Times
“A stupefying, novelistic read” — The Boston Globe
“Gripping, absurd, harrowing” — Esquire
“Incredible…diamond-sharp on North Korea’s many, many paradoxes…a fascinating and often disturbing look at what storytelling and movie-love can do in service of a country that doesn’t actually serve its people…absurdist, touching…an extraordinary story" — Flavorwire
“Fascinating…the film of this book, when it comes, will be the most exciting movie Kim Jong-Il ever played a part in creating” — The Times (UK)
“A nightmarish, clammy adventure story, an absolutely brilliant page turner” — Daily Mail
“Reminds us that ludicrousness and brutality can thrive side-by-side…detailed and rigorously researched…this is bold, pacey, stranger-than-fiction stuff” — The Independent
“A thriller, with daring getaways, double-crosses and a despotic villain; a love story, in which the kidnapped artists’ romance is rekindled in the most unlikely circumstances; and a fascinating portrait of Kim, a pint-sized tyrant whose charisma and showmanship impress even his captives…heartbreaking” — Newsday
Nominated for the Crime Writers’ Association Best Non-Fiction Book Award (2015)
Longlisted for the Goodreads Choice Awards, Best History & Biography (2015)
Amazon.com Best Books of the Year
Hudson Booksellers Best of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
Library Journal Best Books of the Year
NPR Best Books of the Year
