Simply Hitchcock

Suspense, voyeurism, and the master of the macabre—simply told.

In Simply Hitchcock, David Sterritt offers a clear and engaging introduction to the work of Alfred Hitchcock, whose mastery of tension and visual storytelling redefined the language of modern cinema. Within its concise and thoughtful framework, the study illuminates both the artistry and the psychological depth of Hitchcock’s films.

Sterritt traces Hitchcock’s development from his early career in British cinema to his later achievements in Hollywood, examining how recurring themes of guilt, identity, and voyeurism are expressed through carefully constructed images and narrative structures. Films such as Psycho, Vertigo, and Rear Window are considered for their innovative use of perspective, editing, and suspense, revealing how Hitchcock shaped audience perception with meticulous precision. The study also reflects on his distinctive authorial voice, in which style and substance are inseparably intertwined.

This is not a book for film scholars alone. It is an invitation: a guide for the curious viewer who has watched Hitchcock’s films but wants to understand how they work. Sterritt walks the reader through the essential movies, the key techniques, and the man who understood that the most terrifying thing on screen is not what you see—but what you are not allowed to see.

• A clear and accessible introduction to Hitchcock’s life and major films, from The Lodger to Family Plot

• Explores key themes: guilt, identity, voyeurism, and the manipulation of audience perception

• Perfect for first-time viewers and for those who want to deepen their understanding of one of cinema’s most influential directors

Available in multiple formats:

• Paperback & Hardcover: Beautifully designed print editions presenting the complete, unabridged text made to last.

• Ebook: DRM-free EPUB compatible with Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and all major e-readers.

• Audiobook: Professionally narrated, complete and unabridged, available on all major audiobook platforms.

A beautifully crafted edition for your shelf, your device, or your ears, or the perfect gift for anyone who knows that the scariest thing in the room is not the shadow—it is what the shadow hides.

About the Author

David Sterritt is a film professor at Columbia University and the Maryland Institute College of Art. The author of The Films of Alfred Hitchcock (1993), he also serves as the editor of The Quarterly Review of Film and Video and is a contributing writer for Cineaste. His writing on Hitchcock has appeared in Film Quarterly, Film-Philosophy, The Christian Science Monitor, and other periodicals, and he serves on the editorial advisory board of the Hitchcock Annual. He recently completed ten years as chair of the National Society of Film Critics. In Simply Hitchcock, Sterritt draws on decades of scholarship and criticism to offer an engaging, accessible introduction to one of the most influential directors in the history of cinema.