"The Complete Works of Sam Shepard"

My first loves were Bobby Sherman, Richard Gere and Sam Shepard in that order. I was sitting on a mountaintop in Carmel when I learned the news of Shepard’s death last weekend at 73 years old, and I let out a gasp. How could this be? He was not even old. When I read it was from Lou Gehrig’s disease my heart sank even lower. What a terrible way to die at any age. While his death took me by surprise, my devotion to Shepard is no surprise at all. My dad taught me to love men who could not just do one job, but do all the jobs. Shepard was an exemplary hyphenate. He wasn’t just one of America’s finest playwrights, he also was one of our most charming and beloved actors and even a director, too. I used to watch him on the red carpet with his partner of 30 years, Jessica Lange. He would move through the parade of stars and I would think, “He is the one I want to interview.” I just knew that Shepard would be the coolest person in any room. So how can I just recommend one of his plays? Is “Buried Child” better than “True West?” Or is “Fool for Love” better than “A Lie of the Mind?” The truth is that he was a master storyteller and all of his works are important, daring, significant and part of his legacy. So I suggest starting one at a time, and reading them all. R.I.P Sam Shepard. To purchase a book containing the works of Sam Shepard on Amazon click here.