The Hearsts: Father and Son

by William Randolph Hearst Jr., Jack Casserly

The Hearst name has been at the forefront of American life for over a century. As founder of a media empire, William Randolph Hearst, Sr., changed the face of American journalism. He was larger than life, known for the famous San Simeon castle as well as his long affair with Marion Davies, images that were highly embellished in Orson Welles’ "Citizen Kane." In "The Hearsts: Father and Son," William Randolph Hearst, Jr., and co-author Jack Casserly tell the extraordinary story of an American family. The remarkable career of the junior Hearst includes such episodes as his Pulitzer Prize-winning interview with Nikita Khrushchev. Hearst and Casserly profile a cavalcade of journalistic stars of the Hearst newspapers, including Damon Runyon, Westbrook Pegler, Walter Winchell, Dorothy Kilgallen, and Bob Considine. The authors also portray adventures with such Hearst family friends as David Niven, Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, and a very paranoid Howard Hughes. In "The Hearsts: Father and Son," Bill Hearst answers the family’s critics: was his father the tyrant presented in "Citizen Kane"? What were the motives behind the building of San Simeon? How did the Hearst boys deal with their father’s alcoholic mistress, Marion Davies? What was the impact on the family of Patty Hearst’s kidnapping? These questions, and more, are answered in this memoir that holds a mirror up to the “American Century” and an unforgettable family who did so much to define it.

Genres: Biography, History, Memoir

450 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1991

About the author

William Randolph Hearst Jr. was an American businessman and newspaper publisher. He was the second son of the publisher William Randolph Hearst.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William....

Reviews

[DeBora Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a great story and makes own appreciate the Hearst’s. Especially Hearst Sr. And Hearst Jr. a lot could have been edited out as unless there was a spectacular story about a worker, the Author really didn’t need to mention every name of every Tom, Dick, and Harry.

I always thought Hearts Sr. was a Democrat because he ran on the Democratic ticket, however it states later in life he became a conservative. ‘He explained the change this way, “it’s more important to be correct then consistent. “‘

I was also amused to find that things really haven’t changed in the political arena since the 1905 when Hearst ran for mayor of New York. His son, the author talked about his father Hearst seniors election where hundreds of witnesses reported fraud and seeing ballots thrown off the Brooklyn Bridge. The dead voted as pool watchers were offered bribes and votes for Hearst were declared invalid. Protesters
gathered but Hearst Sr. called them off when shootings took place, not wanting blood shed.

[Michael Harris · Rating 2 out of 5]

An APL Recycled Reads find. A fairly self serving look at an unusual family through the eyes of William Randolph Hearst Jr. I finished it because I always finish books but did not enjoy it.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed some of the book, other parts were a little long and dull. (I was looking for a more juicy tell-all.)

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1991. Interesting to hear history of a fascinating family and how the publishing world is evolving.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

first half was great. second half dragged into too much details about specific conversations.

[Natalie Noakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved it at first, great historical facts! It was far too long.

[Whimsical]

Amazing--frank and revealing look at the Hearsts --father and so-- the Hearsts dynasty and how it came about. Randolph Hearts was a visionary- a man with seemly endless imagination and with the drive and the guts to dream and make his dreams come true. " I was awed!"

[Bill Largent · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good history book with a differnet perspective than popular opinion. Very much enjoyed the walk through the Hearst family life.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book

[Lulu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very borning