Steven Spielberg is pretty much America’s official dream merchant, building upon the legacy of previous cultural fantasists such as Frank Capra and Walt Disney. "The first appeal of [an American popular artwork] is, and must be," says Baxter, "commonplace delight," at which Spielberg excels. "His films . . . are machines for delighting us," Baxter continues and then tells us how those machines are put together. Exploring the filmmaking, a portrait of the filmmaker emerges. Spielberg, notably comfortable with the idea that a hiqh-quality motion picture can be entertaining and vice versa, has met with so much commercial success that his artistic successes may be overlooked. 

          Examining Spielberg’s career film by film, Baxter redresses any lack of appreciation for the man’s artistry and produces an excellent book about the contemporary director who just may have the best cumulative record of achievement to stand upon in public and declare himself to be "king of the world".