William Randolph Hearst was a figure of Shakespearean proportions, a man of huge ambition, inflexible will, and inexhaustible energy. He revolutionized the newspaper industry in America, becoming the most powerful media mogul the world had ever seen, and in the process earned himself the title of "most hated man in America" on four different occasions. Now in the second volume of this sweeping biography, Ben Procter gives readers a vivid portrait of the final 40 years of Hearst's life. Drawing on previously unavailable letters and manuscripts, and quoting generously from Hearst's own editorials, Procter covers all aspects of Hearst's career: his journalistic innovations, his impassioned patriotism, his fierce belief in "Government by Newspaper," his frustrated political aspirations, profligate spending and voracious art collecting, the building of his castle at San Simeon, and his tumultuous Hollywood years. The book offers new insight into Hearst's bitter and highly public quarrels with Al Smith (who referred to Hearst papers as "Mudgutter Gazettes") and FDR (whose New Deal Hearst dubbed the "Raw Deal"); his 30-year affair with the actress Marion Davies (and her own affairs with others); his political evolution from a progressive trust-buster and "America first" isolationist to an increasingly conservative and at times hysterical anti-communist. Procter also explores Hearst's ill-considered meeting with Hitler, his attempts to suppress "Citizen Kane," and his relationships with Joseph Kennedy, Charles Lindbergh, Louis B. Meyer, and many other major figures of his time. As Life magazine noted, Hearst newspapers were a "one-man fireworks display"--sensational, controversial, informative, and always entertaining. In Ben Procter's fascinating biography, Hearst shines forth in all his eccentric and egocentric glory.

About the Author
Ben Procter is Professor of History at Texas Christian University and the author of Not Without Honor: The Life of John H. Reagan, Battle of the Alamo, Just One Riot, and William Randolph Hearst: The Early Years, 1863-1910. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Reviews
"This biography is a good starting point for any reader wanting to know about the man Citizen Kane was modeled on--and why he mattered."--M.J. Birkner, CHOICE "William Randolph Hearst: The Later Years, 1911-1951 provides excellent coverage of Hearst's efforts to fulfill his dream of 'government by newspaper.'"--Rodney Carlisle, The Journal of American History "This is a superbly written examination."--Booklist "Proctor does an excellent job of collecting the facts.... Scholars will appreciate the extensive use of primary sources."--Judy Solber, Library Journal "It is Procter's literary agility in dealing with Hearst's complexities that makes this work sing.... In volume 1 and now in volume 2, Procter has more than lived up to the challenge of telling this man's life story."-- Jhistory, H-Net Reviews "This biography is a good starting point for any reader wanting to know about the man Citizen Kane was modeled on--and why he mattered."--M.J. Birkner, CHOICE "William Randolph Hearst: The Later Years, 1911-1951 provides excellent coverage of Hearst's efforts to fulfill his dream of 'government by newspaper.'"--Rodney Carlisle, The Journal of American History "Proctor does an excellent job of collecting the facts.... Scholars will appreciate the extensive use of primary sources."--Judy Solberg, Library Journal "This is a superbly written examination."--Booklist "It is Procter's literary agility in dealing with Hearst's complexities that makes this work sing.... In volume 1 and now in volume 2, Procter has more than lived up to the challenge of telling this man's life story."-- Jhistory, H-Net Reviews



Book Information
ISBN 9780195325348
Author Ben Procter
Format Hardback
Page Count 352
Imprint Oxford University Press Inc
Publisher Oxford University Press Inc
Weight(grams) 676g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 166mm * 31mm