What Makes Sammy Run?

What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg is a compelling and timeless exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the cutthroat nature of Hollywood. The novel follows the meteoric rise of Sammy Glick, a relentless and unscrupulous young man who claws his way from a poor Jewish neighbourhood in New York City to the heights of power in the Hollywood film industry. With his sharp wit, unflagging determination, and a knack for exploiting the weakness of others, Sammy leaves a trail of deceit and broken dreams in his wake. Schulberg's masterful narrative delves into the mechanisms of Sammy's ruthless tactics and the price he pays for his unyielding quest for success.

Set against the glamorous yet gritty backdrop of 1930s Hollywood, What Makes Sammy Run? provides an insider’s view of the movie business, exposing the darker side of fame and fortune. Through the eyes of the more idealistic screenwriter Al Manheim, readers witness Sammy's relentless upward trajectory and the moral compromises that accompany his rise to power. Manheim's growing obsession with understanding Sammy's motivations turns the novel into a deep psychological study that is both hilariously appalling and deeply compassionate.

Budd Schulberg, also famed for his screenplay On the Waterfront, offers a virtuoso study in character that remains as relevant today as when it was first published. The book is often considered the quintessential Hollywood novel, capturing the essence of the dream machines that shape and shatter lives. As Mordecai Richler insightfully noted in GQ, "Sammy Glick remains at the top of the Hollywood sleaze heap, a hustler nonpareil.... What Makes Sammy Run? is still the quintessential novel about 'the all-American heel.'"

What Makes Sammy Run? is more than just a story about one man's ambition; it is a universal tale about the ethical lines we cross in our pursuit of success. With its razor-sharp insights and rich characterisation, this classic novel continues to resonate with readers, offering profound lessons about the human condition and the often perilous road to achieving the American Dream.