Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters

Rating:
Summary: THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY
Review: ....I settled on this book because I thought it would be account of Howard Hughes's weird and wanton ways, like several of the other books on this very original American have been.
Much to my amazement, I discovered that this book, which the publisher has unembarrassingly labeled "the definitive biography of America's First Billionaire," was not exaggerating. The story that unfolds here is a real pageturner...one of a life that hit upon politics, Hollywood, aviation, science, and parental neglect of the most extreme variety. What makes this book work as well as it does is the ability of the writer, Richard Hack (of whom I know nothing but intend to read more), has built the plot as if writing a novel. His words are lush with emotion and frustration, as the reader is brought along as an innocent observer of an incredible life story. It took a special talent to make material that has been attempted to be told elsewhere new and exciting. "Hughes" is both well researched and beautifully written. I cannot recommend it highly enough to men, women and teenagers.

Rating:
Summary: A fine biography
Review: A very good biography of a fascinating individual. Aside from some really lame analogies (especially in the first half of the book), the author's writing is crisp and his grasp of his subject is impressive. Overall, I enjoyed reading this biography and highly recommend it to other.

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Summary: A powerful look at the life of a true titan.
Review: As an avid reader of biographies I look for those that will lead me directly into the life of the subject. I don't want to just read the facts. I want to be there...be a part of the story. Richard Hack has done a superb job researching the multi-faceted life of Howard Hughes.... I was glued to the pages as I read about his early years, his many business successes, his life in Hollywood, his many really weird habits and the effect he had on not just those who worked for him, but on all of America. This book has it all. I recommend it to anyone who would like to be a fly on the wall of a business titan or Hollywood magnate or to anyone who wants direct accesss to the mind of a truly remarkable man.

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Summary: WHAT A STORY!!
Review: I always thought that Howard Hughes was this strange guy who freaked out, never cut his hair or fingernails, and tried to leave his billions to some guy who owned a gas station in Nevada. How wrong I was! After reading "Hughes," I discovered that this guy was the consummate patriot, the ultimate eccentric, a great lover, and amazing aviator. Richard Hack managed to make Howard Hughes come alive for me twenty-five years after his death. Hack's writing draws you into this man's life and holds you in his grip until the very last page. I never thought a biography could read better than a novel, but this one does. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a fascinating story that combines elements of lust, intrique, espionage, Hollywood and humor. Prepare yourself to spend some time with this wonderful book. You won't want to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Very readable biography
Review: I have been waiting for a book on the life of Howard Hughes and this is it. It is very readable. It ties in aviation history if you are interested in that. I live in Southern California and again the history of the movie industry of Hughe's time and his impact is told along with his life story. This is an easy read with some great black and white photos included.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read about a Strange Man
Review: I just finished reading Hughes the Private Diaries....What a trip. I could not put it down. What a strange man he was with a genius for business. I still do not think I know the man but I think noone ever will. He truly was an enigma wrapped in a riddle surrounded by a mystery. I only wish that Hollywood would do a film that would capture this incredible individual as much as this book does.
This book reads like a novel because Howard Hughes' story was in essence a "fiction".
It is truly amazing how he could be so lucid and eloquent at one moment and then so "crazy" the next. What was going on inside him that drove him to such contridictions?
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys good writing and good biography. But, especially I recommend it to those who want to learn more about Howard Robards Hughes.

Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 stars. Fascinating
Review: If you're looking for a good biography on Howard R Hughes, look no further, because this is the one you'll want. Richard Hack writes in an open and laid-back manner making it all easy to enjoy and absorb. The subject manner certainly makes for entertaining reading itself. This most noted of eccentrics will captivate you as well as disgust you. Hack takes you inside the Hughes empire and paints a very good picture of the how and why of his world. If not for Hughes inheritance from his father-owner of the Hughes Tool Co-you most likely will never have heard of Howard Hughes. Basically Howard himself had no business acumen. His life does read somewhat like a fairy tale in that most of the things he wished for he got. From movie starlets to hotels and casinos. Money can truly buy most things. Unfortunately he wasn't psychologically stable for the last half of his life and this caused him and those around him much misery. Form whatever opinion you like about Hughes, but after reading this biography, the opinion you form will be a strong one. It was a well-written biography that lagged just a little on the editing.

Highly recommended.