Big Men (And L.A. Women)

Inside the Wild World of American Obsession

Big Men (And L.A. Women) by Bill Buford is a searing, stylish plunge into the heart of American excess—told with the sharp wit and fearless honesty that made Buford’s Among the Thugs a classic. First published in 1995 by Penguin Books, this collection of long-form journalism captures a country where image, ambition, and appetite are everything.

A Tour of the Unapologetically American

From the glittering streets of Los Angeles to the testosterone-fueled arenas of pro wrestling and football, Buford follows some of the most outsized characters in American culture. He meets men who’ve grown too big for their own good, women shaped by Hollywood’s exacting gaze, and industries that thrive on extremes. Each profile is laced with dark humor, deep curiosity, and a refusal to look away.

Whether he's chronicling the sweaty violence of a football locker room or the surreal ambition of aspiring starlets in L.A., Buford never loses sight of what makes these stories uniquely American. If you’re drawn to sharp, character-driven reportage with literary bite, Big Men (And L.A. Women) delivers an unforgettable ride through the grotesque and the glamorous.