Until this publication, Jeanne De Recqueville’s 1978, Rudolph Valentino has only been available in French and copies of her book are scarce. Her book has always been a source of curiosity for Valentino afficianados as Ms. De Recqueville was a Valentino activist in France for some thirty years; appearing as a Valentino authority on television and in documentaries in her role as the President and founder of The Association of the Friends of Rudolph Valentino.

Renato Floris has translated the book into English and recognizes Ms. De Recqueville more as a witness than a biographer . This because she interviewed many of the people who knew Valentino in France including Jacques Herbertot, Rene Clair, Yvonne Legeay and Robert Florey. Their testimonies shared with her make De Recqueville’s biography unique. She also corresponded with Dr. Howard Meeker, the surgeon who operated on Rudolph Valentino and attended to him throughout his final illness.

At the time De Recqueville wrote her book, the Ken Russell movie Valentino, starring Rudolf Nureyev was just released. She protested the movie and includes her scathing review which is testament to her activism on behalf of Valentino’s true legacy. Her sources are primarily French and this presents a new vantage on Valentino’s story.

This edition is edited and annotated by Evelyn Zumaya, author of Affairs Valentino, Astral Affairs Rambova and co-author with Michael Morris of his posthumous book, Beyond Valentino - A Madam Valentino Addendum. Castellaneta historian and author, Aurelio Miccoli contributes to this publication with his authoritative essay on Rudolph Valentino and His Nobility.

The book is in full color with additional essays on Andre Daven, Robert Florey’s, The Magic Lantern, and The Letter to Bruno .