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Empire cover art

Empire

By: Donald L. Barlett, James B. Steele
Narrated by: Christopher Hurt
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Summary

Howard Hughes lived one of the greatest, most heroic, misunderstood, mysterious, bizarre, and tragic lives in American history. In this brilliantly documented biography, the mythology that surrounded that life is disentangled from the truth.

Hughes had always been different. Certainly his riches set him apart, but he was also tough. Orphaned and a millionaire at 18, Hughes repudiated his relatives, seized control of the Hughes Tool Company, the linchpin of his fortune, and went on to become a flamboyant movie producer, holder of many world aviation records, principal owner of Trans World Airlines, a critically important defense contractor, Hollywood's most pursued and elusive bachelor, and partner of the United States government.

This is an epic biography of an epic figure who bestrode the world like a colossus yet could not master himself.

©1979 Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Of all the books written about Howard Hughes, Empire is easily the best...." ( New York Times Book Review)
"A remarkable job of investigative reporting....cracks Hughes's public persona as it disentangles the psychodrama of his private doings...." ( Publishers Weekly)
"[The] most responsible and authoritative biography of Hughes to date." ( Newsweek)

What listeners say about Empire

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Excellent. But ...

Interesting, fluid account of the man they called HRH. Good reading too.

But.

There is a peculiar and unfortunate production technique used in the audobook. The reader speaks with two different voices, as if two people are reading the book in turn. Presumably this is meant to add emphasis or something. But its just annoying.

Nonetheless its still worth listening to.

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2 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Facts and figures are all this story is about

Far too much emphasis on the minute details of Hughes business transactons. Learnt next to nothing about his personal life or relationships - these are just mentioned. It makes for a boring listen, no drama

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Not great

Poorly edited, badly recorded, very dryly narrated. ... ... .... ... ... ... ...

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Engaging and fast talking - always helpful.

Engaging and fast talking - helpful to ADHDs. Walks into a life and brings it to life well.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

really bad recording

Non stop echo during the whole recording and some sections were edited later with no effort made to blend in with the rest.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Empire

Wow excellent audible book I highly recommend hearing!
What an incredible man very talented business man but also a very troubled man with all his over excessive ways with hygiene etc.
I really enjoyed this book.

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