THE LIFE AND GOOD TIMES OF WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST

by John Tabbel ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 10, 1952

A jolting contrast to the official Hearst biographies and the recent William Randolph Hearst (p. 255) edited by Hearstling E.D. Coblentz, this- by a man who heartily disapproves of his subject as the creator of ""yellow journalism""- has its own touches of popular scandal but covers his career and personality in clear detail. In the division by chapters there is a clue to Tebbel's taste for the dramatic: the death scene; places of residence; women in his life; the phases of business; the fabulous art collection; etc. More a report than a probe, there are few ""ifs"" and the facts provide the reasonable conclusions that form his bias. Hearst's rabble-rousing against Spain in Cuba, his removal of personnel from the New York World for him Journal, his eternal crusades for the under-dog and Americanism, his fabulous castles, his love for his mother, all point up the paradox of his crusading demagoguery, but leave no doubt that in spite of his possible sincerity and the boost he gave journalism- Hearst was power mad and a hypocrite. A more thorough analysis, perhaps from a totally psychological angle, remains to be written- but this, with its intimate gaze at personalities from Marion Davies- in black pajamas- to Hoover and Coolidge, is readable and salable.

Pub Date: Oct. 10, 1952

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1952

Categories: NONFICTION