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Harry Dean Stanton had a profound impact on the people around him. Friends like Ed Begley Jr., Jamie James, and Dennis Quaid said he changed their lives in major ways. Although he suffered betrayals in life, he also experienced true love and loyalty in those who knew him best. He never won an Oscar, but he was celebrated and feted in his last years. Two documentaries were devoted to his life and work. A star-studded event at the Ace Hotel in downtown Los Angeles paid tribute to him. He inspired songs by Debbie Harry and others, and he recorded a CD of some of his best songs. Most importantly, fellow Kentuckian Lucy Jones created an annual film festival in his honor in his hometown of Lexington, Kentucky. Each year actors, directors, and musicians come to sing his praises, and in 2014 he came himself, accompanied by longtime friend Michelle Phillips. He didn't believe in an afterlife yet he left a legacy in his work and in the heartfelt affection of those who knew him that in itself is an afterlife, one that would have made him proud.

This chapter examines Hal Ashby's directorial job for the film The Last Detail. It describes Ashby's directorial style, his relationship with the cast including Jack Nicholson and Randy Quaid and the cast's observations about Ashby's work attitude. The film grossed $4 million at the box office but everyone knew it could have earned more. This chapter also mentions the death of Ashby's mother on November 9, 1973.

This chapter examines Hal Ashby's directorial job for the film The Slugger's Wife. This film was produced by Ray Stark, written by Neil Simon and starred Michael O'Keefe, Rebecca De Mornay and Randy Quaid. The film received so much criticism that negatively affected its box-office performance. Though it was a high-profile, mega-budget movie made by highly respected individuals, it was a huge flop, taking only $1.8 million in receipts, less than 10 percent of what it had cost.

The Prologue provides an overview of the book, beginning with the author's presence at the Harry Dean Stanton memorial service in Lexington, Kentucky, where actor Dennis Quaid and musician Jamie James sang songs in tribute and told stories of the actor. The Prologue retraces Harry Dean's childhood, military service, education, and long career as a character actor in supporting roles to the lead roles in Repo Man and Paris, Texas, both in 1984, that established him as one of Hollywood's finest actors. Here is also discussed Harry Dean's work as a musician and his status as a cult figure famous for his Sixties-era and Zen Buddhist-influenced musings about life.