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Donald L. Barlett
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James B. Steele
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Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes Hardcover – January 1, 1979

by Donald L. Bartlett (Author), James B. Steele (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 62 ratings
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BOOK CLUB EDITION
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  1. Print length
    766 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    W.W. Norton & Company
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1979
  5. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001RL1CSA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ W.W. Norton & Company; Book Club (BCE/BOMC) edition (January 1, 1979)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 766 pages
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.05 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 62 ratings

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  1. Donald L. Barlett

    Donald L. Barlett

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  2. James B. Steele

    James B. Steele

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
62 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Winston Kotzan
5.0 out of 5 stars Unshrouds the mystery with facts, not speculations
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2005
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The Life, Legend, and Madness offers an in-depth view into the secretive life of Howard Hughes. Unbiased in its writing, the book focuses on all of Hughes accomplishments and successes, as well as some of the darker aspects of his life. After reading this book, one can really see that Hughes is one of the few "larger than life" characters that ever lived.

Hughes played an integral role in shaping this country, a role unknown to many of today's younger generations. Donald Barlett and James Steele do an amazing job detailing both his accomplishments and private life. Some of his endeavors are less obvious today than others, such as helping transform Las Vegas into the resort town we know today. Many people are unfamiliar with the Hughes Medical Institute or the creations from the Hughes Aircraft Company. Although the book does show his odd lifestyle behind the darkened windows and closed doors, it is fair in that it also accurately focuses on his important business dealings.

The popular movie "The Aviator" seems to be scripted largely from the first half of this book. To fully appreciate the movie, I recommend reading this particular book first. Not only will it help clarify references that may slip by in the movie, but this book shows that Hughes was much more than a movie producer who flirted with Hollywood's divas of the day. He was a master engineer, expert businessman, and defender of Democracy (he furiously fought Communists). Innovative people like Hughes is what America is all about.
10 people found this helpful
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Wade Meyers
5.0 out of 5 stars A scholarly work ~
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2015
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A richly detailed, highly recommended work. As we progress through the Las Vegas years and beyond, where HRH was basically a total shut-in recluse save a few rare meetings with 'outsiders,' I was amazed that he was still able to accomplish so much during much of that later "dark hotel room" time, re: business deals and the like, and even found a way to arrange some flying time during his few years in England! It's obvious during those rare flashes of the old Hughes that he wished he could change (he commented as much to several people on the record) and resume a 'normal' life. But alas - how then would his handlers manage him? Cue plenty of drugs and ready enabling of his phobias and no competent help for his mental well being.

Bedridden and basically completely shut off from the outside world in his final years, one is forced to look back and wonder just what this agile, brilliant mind and unique personality could have accomplished without the crushing burden of his mental illness and drug addictions as enabled by the few allowed access to him... one thing is for sure: his illnesses notwithstanding, with competent, CARING aides and professional help he, formerly of strong mind and intelligence, could have faced his demons and won.
5 people found this helpful
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Raymo
4.0 out of 5 stars A decent read on Howard Hughes...
Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2018
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A decent book if you want to know a little more about Howard.
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dutchw48
5.0 out of 5 stars I purchased this as a gift for an old high school friend. He was delighted!
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2017
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I purchased this as a gift for an old high school friend who is now living in Las Vegas where he has performed acts as Howard Hughes on stage and video. He is a devout Hughes historian and he told me that he has been unsuccessfully trying to locate this book for some time. I found it on
Amazon Marketplace in a used copy and had it sent to him. He was delighted! Apparently this book delves into some Hughes scandals that are not well explored elsewhere, including suspicions regarding Hughes death.
4 people found this helpful
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Karly Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars This is an entertaining and educating look into the world of a very strange human being.
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2015
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Donald L. Bartlett's "Howard Hughes - His Life and Madness" captures everything you would want to know about this one man's strange life. By the time you finish reading the book, you feel as is you understand Hughes' inner world. Newspaper stories, old magazine articles and other accounts do not come close to entering into the world of Mr. Hughes's existence. The way he is explained in this book makes one appreciate that the author put his heart into this creation...leaving the reader with no possible unanswered questions. They are all here in this book.
One person found this helpful
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Sherry A. Innes
5.0 out of 5 stars The best Howard Hughes book you'll ever find!
Reviewed in the United States on January 11, 2007
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This book answers the question, "How did he get to be that way?" It delves deeply into his relationship with his mother (and lack of one with his father) and follows him into adulthood. He seems a little eccentric but still within the normal range for most of his early life. He lived lavishly, but his demons caught up with him eventually. The pity is it didn't have to be that way.

I read this book when it was on the Best Sellers list. Howard Hughes was the subject of one of my papers for a psychology class and this book was my main source.
9 people found this helpful
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Albert Welzel
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2022
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Excellent book
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Judy colip
1.0 out of 5 stars Bad shape
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2024
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This book is in bad shape. Not worth the price.
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Top reviews from other countries

Neil Armstrong Hughes
5.0 out of 5 stars A page turner and eye-opener....
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2011
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I1d always held the idea that HH was some odd genius who could make money out of anything.
This book proves he:
- was lucky to have a dad with a valuable patent which underpinned his financial health through his life.
- knew little about building commercial planes.
- wasn\t a very good pilot.
- was surrounded by conmen and crooks.
- was really rather barking.
Even so, I was totally intrigued all through this book to read how far away from the commonly held perceptions he actually was.
Ther author did a great job of turning sometimes dry subjects into fascinating snapshots of his life.
Well worthy the money.
9 people found this helpful
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Jotter
5.0 out of 5 stars second hand edition
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 30, 2020
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Obviously well thumbed book but was not prepared to pay #45 sterling for an old but fascinating story.
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MJF
4.0 out of 5 stars A bit of a heavy duty read and hard going ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2017
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A bit of a heavy duty read and hard going at times but it is very interesting. Hughes was quite mad... barking in fact.
2 people found this helpful
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Adam Wright
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 5, 2015
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Very interesting read, which delves deeper than the film
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Mr. A. Downes
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 23, 2015
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Brilliant!
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