Thomas Thompson’s Followers (83)

Thomas Thompson

Born

in Texas, The United States

October 03, 1933

Died

October 29, 1982

Genre

Nonfiction, Fiction

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He was born in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in 1955. He then worked as a reporter and editor at the Houston Press.

Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.

His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: He was born in Texas and graduated from the University of Texas in 1955. He then worked as a reporter and editor at the Houston Press.

Thompson joined Life Magazine in 1961 and became an editor and staff writer. While at Life he covered the JFK assassination and was the first writer to locate Lee Harvey Oswald's home and wife. Among his stories were coverage of the making of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles, in which he revealed the group's extensive drug use; an in-depth look at Frank Sinatra and his alleged Mafia ties; and the 40th and 50th birthdays of Elizabeth Taylor.

His book Hearts (1971) concerned the rivalry between Houston surgeons Michael DeBakey and Denton Cooley at the dawn of the heart transplant era. Richie: The Ultimate Tragedy Between One Decent Man and the Son He Loved (1973) was the story of a Long Island man who killed his drug-addicted son. This was made into a TV-movie called The Death of Richie. Thompson's most successful book was Blood and Money (1976). It was based on a true story of scandal and murder. The book sold four million copies in fourteen languages. Thompson also wrote Serpentine (1979), the story of convicted murderer Charles Sobhraj. Thompson wrote one novel, Celebrity (1982), which was on the national best-seller list for six months. That novel became the basis for a five hour mini series in 1984.

Thompson received the National Headliner Award for investigative reporting. He was also the 1977 Edgar Award winner for Blood and Money.

"Thompson first wrote Western stories for pulp magazines in 1940 after stints as a sailor, a nightclub entertainer, a secretary and a furniture salesman. He later published hundreds of articles in national general-interest magazines and wrote 25 Western novels, including “Range Drifter,” “Shadow of the Butte” and “Bitter Water.” (latimes.com)

He was a co-founder and president in 1957 of Western Writers of America and later received two of that group’s Spur Awards for his writing. Thompson was a life member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame."

Thompson's family believed that the liver disease that caused his death was contracted in the Far East while investigating the Charles Sobhraj saga. When he became ill, Thomas was teaching writing at the University of Southern California. ...more

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Thomas Thompson’s books

Average rating: 4.12 · 10,529 ratings · 832 reviews · 215 distinct works • Similar authors

	Blood and Money: The Classic True Story of Murder, Passion, and Power 4.09 avg rating — 5,724 ratings — published 1976 — 32 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Serpentine : A True Odyssey of Love and Murderous Evil 4.21 avg rating — 1,653 ratings — published 1979 — 32 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lost!: A Harrowing True Story of Disaster at Sea 4.14 avg rating — 1,001 ratings — published 1975 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Richie: A Father, His Son, and the Ultimate American Tragedy 4.06 avg rating — 783 ratings — published 1973 — 17 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Celebrity 3.94 avg rating — 535 ratings — published 1982 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Hearts: Of Surgeons and Transplants, Miracles and Disasters Along the Cardiac Frontier 4.30 avg rating — 219 ratings — published 1971 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	One Man With Courage(Bonanza #1) 4.50 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 1966 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Reader's Digest Condensed Books; 1975 #2, Volume 103: Lost! / Baker's Hawk / The Physicians / God and Mr. Gomez / Eagle in the Sky by Thomas Thompson, Jack M. Bickham, Henry Denker really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — published 1975	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bonanza: One Man With Courage 3.60 avg rating — 5 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Syrian Refugees - Everything about Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Europe liked it 3.00 avg rating — 5 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Quotes by Thomas Thompson (?)

“For rarely are sons similar to their fathers. Most are worse. But a few are better.” —HOMER, The Odyssey.”
― Thomas Thompson, Richie: A Father, His Son, and the Ultimate American Tragedy

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“Later, years later, Hélène would continue to wonder why she let herself be convinced by this man to stay at his side. But she was not the only one. The trail of those conned by his tender promises would by that time stretch further than Marco Polo’s peregrinations.”
― Thomas Thompson, Serpentine: Charles Sobhraj's Reign of Terror from Europe to South Asia

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“those places which have an open policy of marijuana, like Africa and the Middle East—well, just look at them. The people have no incentive, no ambitions, the countries make no progress. Isn’t there a lesson to be learned here?”
― Thomas Thompson, Richie: A Father, His Son, and the Ultimate American Tragedy

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Thomas Thompson’s Followers (83)

Thomas Thompson

Combine EditionsThomas Thompson’s books

Topics Mentioning This Author

Combine Editions
Thomas Thompson’s books