Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters

The Definitive Biography of the First American Billionaire

By: Richard Hack

Narrated by: Dan Cashman

Length: 17 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

"Howard Hughes would have hated this book...because he never wanted the truth to be told. As the man who knew Hughes best for 17 years and to whom he referred publicly as his alter-ego, I now believe that the entire story has finally been told." (Robert Maheu)

Howard Hughes was a true American original: legendary lover, record-setting aviator, award-winning film producer, talented inventor, ultimate eccentric, and, for much of his lifetime, the richest man in the United States.

His desire for privacy was so fierce and his isolation so complete that even now, 25 years after his death, inaccurate stories continue to circulate, and many have been published as fact. Hughes explodes the illusion of his life and exposes the man behind the myth. He was a playboy whose sexual exploits with Hollywood stars were legendary. He was a man without compassion; an entrepreneur without ethics; an explorer without maps; and ultimately, an eccentric trapped by his own insanity, sealed off from reality, who died a lonely and - until now - mysterious death.

Newly uncovered personal letters, over 110,000 pages of sealed court testimony, recently declassified FBI files, never-before-published autopsy reports and exclusive interviews reveal a man so devious in his thinking, so perverse in his desires, and so influential that his impact continues to be felt even today. From entertainment to politics, aviation to espionage, the influence and manipulation of this billionaire has left an indelible and unique mark on the American cultural landscape.

©2001 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved (P)2001 New Millennium Audio, All Rights Reserved

Critic reviews

"In the most exciting bio of the year, Hack presents the American dream curdling into the American nightmare, personified in a legend who at last has an accounting worthy of him." (Publishers Weekly)

"A fascinating, captivating listen." (AudioFile)

Exceptional!!!

This has been the best told story I have heard !! It was exciting, complete and kept me coming back for more.

Excellent Research

All in all, this is a great book. The research is excellent and Hughes' story is fascinating, though incredibly depressing. What a pathetic individual. He was brilliant but he was a brilliant, spoiled brat.

The writing is good but has some definite issues. The author frequently describes Hughes thoughts about particular topics as though he knows exactly what Hughes was thinking. Hughes didn't keep a diary and apparently didn't carry on a lot of personal conversations in the latter half of his life, so I don't know how the author would know his intimate feelings. I find this sort of pure invention in biographies annoying. There are also some very wierd similies and metaphors used in the book (unfortunately, it's hard to go back and find an example in an audiobook). Fortunately, the excellent research saves the book from some of the minor failings of the writing itself.

The narrator was very good in tone and pace though I too was astonished at the number of basic mispronunciations.

Fascinating and repelling.

This life of priviledge went horribly wrong. Although repelled, the listener can't turn away.

Not really such an interesting man

Howard Hughes lead a life of nutty and/or brilliant behaviors--performed over and over again. But he never had the personal growth or relationships that make for a compelling biography.

More of the same

Essentially this is a rehashing of all the other biographies written about the world's most famous billionare. There is little new information, and many pertinent facts are left out. The only redeeming quality is a thorough account of the battle over Hughes estate, which is often merely summarized in other volumes.If this is your first foray into works about Howard Hughes, it is a good start, but there are better references out there.

Truely Incredible

As a Brit, I had always had a vague notion that Howard Hughes was a mainstay of the US economy, an aviator, and an eccentric.

I had no idea that he was as wacked in the head as he obviously became in later life - the readings from his memos in the "Operations Manual" for his company are astounding.

Thouroughly enjoyed this book - the narrator is nicely neutral adding to the experience without ever becoming irritating.

Give it a go.

Mr. Howard Hughes excites years later!

This is the book that you clung to, knowing how it ends you can't help but to hope it's nicer. Howard Robard Hughes is an odyssey and and never been replicated and never will be. A true enigma of the 20th century.

Drugs n money.

Amazing story. Amazing how one man did what he did. AMAZING the taxes he paid too.

Second Hack in a Week

What a biography! Yes, I was entertained, mystified and sometimes repulsed. I wasn't looking for a role model, but a great story. Hack is fair, and I finished the book feeling I had been given a beautiful, just account of an amazing life, good, bad, and truly sad. Insights into fifty years of American history are part of the ride here, too. In fact, I came to this book straight from Hack's Agatha Christie bio, looking for more. It's true that Cashman mispronounces some words. I wonder. A long time ago, a friend of mine was made fun of when she mispronounced a word during a highschool history class. The teacher said, "Well! That's only a sign of someone who reads more than she talks!"

Expertly written biography of a intriguing man

The life story of Hughes is like a fictional soap opera itself. This detailed biography really brings things to life. A must read.