Historical facts re; Howard Hughes (80's, country, how, ally)

[dreamofmonterey]

I recently watched Natl Geographic bio on him, rather than gossip does anyone have real info., good books and sources to learn more about him? He seemed very eccentric and ill toward the end of his life, but with all he had accomplished,its so intriguing, I am interested to hear from people who have read about him, I don't want to hear about the stupid film "the aviator" which told the audience nothing...thanks in advance.

[skinem]

You might like Howard Hughes and TWA by Robert W. Rummel.

There are quite a few books out there that aren't bad...check Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

He was a fascinating man...entrepreneur, aviation pioneer, film maker. He did quite a bit for national security with his aerospace companies in their various forms...the Glomar Explorer.

He continues to have a huge impact today in ways many if not most folks realize...google Howard Huges Medical Institute...

[dreamofmonterey]

Thanks, I agree he was into a lot of things...its just interesting to see the impact he has had, are any of his cousins/family members writing books, or in business like he was?

[Dd714]

There was a made for TV movie in the 80's that covers his whole life, not just the bits in the 30's and 40's from "The Aviator". It was quite good, and had Tommy Lee Jones play HH up until his death, where he was still accomplishing great things along with dealing with his "eccentricites", much more believable then the little Titanic-boy playing what should be a 6 foot texan.

You might be able to get it via netflix or rent it. "The Amazing Howard Hughes"
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075670/

[dreamofmonterey]

Its amazing that he was interested in genetics and medical research issues way before its time, despite eccentricity he must have been brilliant...

[Moth]

I have been fascinated with Hughes since he died. I read that his favorite movie was "Ice Station Zebra"- he would watch it over and over. I finally rented it to check it out. Not a bad film. Rock Hudson, Jim Brown, Ernest Borgnine.

It always amazes me that Hughes went from a dashing figure to a reclusive, germophic wierdo.

[Fred314X]

By the way, if you like to see things for yourself, you can come here to Brooklyn and visit Floyd Bennett Field--that's where Hughes took off and landed on his record setting flight in 1938.

[dreamofmonterey]

That's interesting, I did get the book about him which was written by R.Maheu, he was the former CIA agent that Hughes hired,not sure what's true,though and all the blogs online are just gossip, some people even think a doppelganger substitute was used to fake Hughes still being alive,to preserve his corporations...

[monkey cabal]

"Citizen Hughes" by Michael Drosnin is a pretty good read. Not sure how accurate it is though.

[markg91359]

Hughes suffered from the after effects of injuries in two plane accidents that almost killed him. He took pain medication largely to deal with conditions that had resulted from those injuries. He unfortunately suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder and the same talents which probably made him successful in business made him paranoid and reclusive in his private life. He had a problem with hearing that probably made him shun unnecessary conversation with others.

Hughes got involved in motion pictures when it was becoming a big industry. He got into aviation when it was moving into commercial practicality. Lastly, he got into the gaming industry in Nevada when it was moving from a mafia-dominated enclave into an activity that the whole country would participate in. I don't think this was all by accident. He somehow had an ability to see trends and directions. Really quite an amazing (if unlikeable) person.