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Although the public viewed Hughes as a heroic and independent-minded trailblazer, behind closed doors he suffered from germophobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and an addiction to painkillers. He became paranoid and reclusive, surrounding himself with a small cadre of loyal caretakers. As executives battled each other over his empire, Hughes' physical and mental health deteriorated to the point where he lost control of his business affairs.
This second edition includes more insider details on Hughes' personal interactions with actresses, journalists, and employees. New chapters provide insights into Hughes's involvement with the mob, his ownership and struggles as the majority shareholder of TWA and the wide-ranging activities of Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes's critical role in the Glomar Explorer CIA project (a deep-sea drillship platform built to recover the Soviet submarine K-129), and more. Based on in-depth interviews with individuals who knew and worked with Hughes, this fascinating biography provides a colorful and comprehensive look at Hughes—from his life and career to his final years and lasting influence. This penetrating depiction of the man behind the curtain demonstrates Hughes's legacy, and enduring impact on popular culture.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
March 11, 2020 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781948908610
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781948908610
- File size: 7657 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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December 10, 2007
This rambling account of the eccentric, reclusive billionaire stresses Hughes’s relationship with Las Vegas, where he spent much of his adult life. Vegas reporter Schumacher draws upon research from other books, interviews and a lifetime of covering his native city to produce an entertaining volume about a relentlessly fascinating character. Hughes (1904–1976) became famous as a producer of such Hollywood classics as Hell’s Angels
, The Front Page
and Scarface
. Applying his energy to aviation, he designed planes, broke speed records and founded TWA and Hughes Aircraft. Schumacher swiftly covers these accomplishments, then focuses on the last 30 years of Hughes’s life. It is a lively record of business deals, legal battles and personality clashes as Hughes’s peculiarities and drug use degenerate into serious addiction and obsessive germophobia. Hughes spent his last decade as a secluded, unwashed, unshaved invalid with attendants who overlooked his best interests. Ignoring chronology, Schumacher’s book reads like a series of well-researched, opinionated newspaper articles that include cameos by famous supporting characters like Jane Russell and vignettes about the fight over his estate and Clifford Irving’s fake Hughes autobiography. Readers should look elsewhere for an organized biography, but they will find plenty to enjoy in this scattershot collection. Photos not seen by PW
.
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