Age of Secrets: The Conspiracy that Toppled Richard Nixon and the Hidden Death of Howard Hughes

by Gerald Bellett

An acclaimed non-fiction international political thriller exposing the real reason for Watergate, the hidden death of Howard Hughes, and the illicit activities of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), with the CIA’s worldwide pursuit of John Meier trying to expose it all, including revealing information on the Robert F. Kennedy Assassination and Critical Comments by New York Times bestselling author Jim Hougan.

THE MAJOR MOTION PICTURE IN DEVELOPMENT ‘MEIERGATE’ IS ABOUT THE LIFE STORY OF JOHN MEIER

During the Watergate hearings, one man wanted to tell a spellbound nation secrets about the Nixon White House, the CIA and Howard Hughes. He could have told them why the burglary happened but that was not what the Committee wanted to hear. To keep him from telling his secrets, he was persecuted, jailed and forced into exile in Canada. His name is John Meier; his employer was Howard Hughes; Age of Secrets is his story.

Former U.S. Senate candidate John Meier had Top Secret security clearance with the U.S. Government and has been referred to in the media as the man who brought down President of the United States Richard Nixon in Watergate, the greatest political scandal in U.S. history. Meier was the right-hand man to Howard Hughes, the world’s richest individual, and Meier was the first person to expose the CIA’s connection to the Hughes Organization and the only person to call for a congressional hearing into the death of Howard Hughes.

Meier was responsible for the CIA’s creation of the legal term Glomar Response, when an agency refuses to confirm or deny the existence of records or information, he was an intelligence agent with the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and he was involved with preventing the assassination of President of the Dominican Republic Joaquin Balaguer.

Howard Hughes supplied the CIA with a cover organization to hide anything they possess or do. When Meier opted out of the organization, he became an impediment to its continued existence.

John Meier was a Diplomat who operated at the highest levels of Government including as Vice Chairman of the Humphrey-Muskie National Finance Committee, during Vice President of the United States Hubert Humphrey’s Presidential Campaign, serving on President Richard Nixon’s Task Force on Resources and Environment and a Special Consultant to Nixon’s Environmental Quality Advisory Committee, and an advisor to several U.S. Senators including Senators Hubert Humphrey, Robert F. Kennedy, and Mike Gravel, who credited Meier with preventing the spread of nuclear power within the United States.

The full U.S. Senate Watergate Committee granted Meier immunity, in order for Meier to testify at a public Watergate hearing on the relationships between the Nixon Administration and Howard Hughes. Meier was the next person to testify to tell the world what he knew, but the Watergate hearings went back into secret session to prevent Meier from revealing what he was going to expose as he was told his testimony would be too damaging and that a lot of people were worried that too much would be uncovered about Howard Hughes' dealings beyond President Nixon.

Meier has been a major source to the media, including America’s top investigative reporter, The Washington Post's Jack Anderson, and attempted to then expose what he knew through the media, with the CIA pursuing Meier across the U.S., Canada, UK, Japan, Australia, Tonga, and the Dominican Republic to stop him at all cost, including framing him for a number of offences including murder, and attempting to assassinate him.

In the Afterword of the book, Meier sums up his politically motivated battle by saying “My story is one of a man devastated by a corrupt system. Our governments are increasingly disrespectful of basic human rights such that we can no longer legitimately call our nations democracies. I hope that this story will contribute to changing this course”.

Genres: Politics, History

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1995

Reviews

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age of Secrets: The Conspiracy That Toppled Richard Nixon and the Hidden Death of Howard Hughes is a riveting, immersive and thought-provoking audiobook that exposes the dark secrets and hidden agendas of some of the most powerful figures in American politics.

This audiobook is a must listen for anyone interested in government corruption, the deep state, and recent American history as it is expertly written by Gerald Bellett, a veteran journalist who spent many years since 1974 writing about John Meier and his lifelong endeavors.

Age of Secrets follows the extraordinary life of John Meier, a former US Senate candidate and close associate of Howard Hughes, who became a target of the Nixon administration and the CIA after he discovered their involvement in illegal activities and corruption. Meier was harassed, threatened, imprisoned, and forced to flee to Canada, where he continued his fight for justice and transparency. His story is a testament to the power of courage, integrity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

The audiobook version of Age of Secrets is narrated by Dennis Boutsikaris, a renowned and award-winning actor who has lent his voice to many iconic stories. Mr. Boutsikaris delivers a captivating and compelling performance, bringing to life the characters and events of this thrilling audiobook. He captures the tone, pace, and style of the author and his voice is clear, expressive, and engaging, making the listening experience gripping, suspenseful, enjoyable and immersive.

Age of Secrets is investigative journalism at its best! A fascinating and informative nonfiction work that sheds light on some of the most controversial and consequential episodes in American history. It is a well-researched, well-written account that combines facts, evidence, and personal testimonies to create a compelling and convincing narrative.

If you are looking for a best selling nonfiction international political thriller that reveals the real reason for Watergate, the hidden death of Howard Hughes, the Robert F. Kennedy assassination, and the CIA’s dirty tricks, then you need to look no further!

Last, but definitely not least, I highly recommend that we all watch out for the upcoming movie, Meiergate, based on the same story, because I’m convinced that we will be in for a treat.

I am a blind audiobook reviewer, so if you found this review interesting I hope you will consider leaving a helpful vote below. Most audiobooks I receive for free for review purposes. Thank you! Take care, stay safe, and don't forget, always listen with your heart.

[Kailei Malauskas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Throughly Engaging Must-Read

This compelling history book breathes new life into tales of American political corruption. Though I don't normally indulge in historical nonfiction, the author's artful storytelling had me hooked. Through meticulous research and captivating narration, each chapter illuminates the endless intrigues of the past. The writing crackles with energy as larger-than-life personalities and dramatic scandals come to life. This essential read will satisfy history buffs with its extensive sourcing, yet remains highly accessible thanks to the author's gift for drama. I'd recommend it to both experts and those unfamiliar with the topic, seeking a deeper understanding of where we've been - and where we still find ourselves when it comes to political power struggles. A thoroughly engaging must-read!

[Karen Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking Page Turner About The Secret Conspiracy That Destroyed Richard Nixon

I’m not usually a huge fan of historic or political thrillers, but this book captured my interest from the very first paragraph. This tome is a spectacular page-turner filled with magnificent details, true facts and private journal entries to back up everything. I was shocked and horrified by some of the activities of The CIA and all the crosses and double crosses that were exposed. I was also fascinated by how wily Howard Hughes was. A man that rich definitely knew how to pull the puppet strings, until he didn’t. I highly recommend this mind bending, but true book.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever since I learned of Glomar portrayed as a kooky geode mining operation while actually scooping up Soviet submarine tech for the CIA I have figured that could not have been a one-off. Hughes must have had deeper, long-running ties with spies... This book delivers on that suggestion while adding in a lot about a Hughes faked death, Hughes freaking out over atomic tests in Nevada, and a web of private spooks with Hughes at the center. So, Nixon got not only a hundred grand from Hughes but a million from Hughes Medical and Watergate was an attempt to stop that from being revealed.

After moving to Nevada he became obsessed with the effects of nuclear radiation and had Meier organize an anti-testing campaign. Hughes’ $1 million payment to President Nixon was the reason for the Watergate burglary. From the time that Meier advised Hughes of the infiltration of the CIA into the Hughes organization, Meier was targeted by various government agencies...

John Meier gets involved in that and other stuff and runs afoul of the CIA running rampant in Canada and gets farmed for a sordid hotel murder after crossing Hughes:

George Clifford, journalist, associate of columnist Jack Anderson and leader of the group plotting President Nixon’s downfall. With Meier, he provoked Nixon into ordering the Watergate burglary. Wrote numerous anti-Nixon articles based on information supplied by Meier.

From a 1986 LA Times article:

1981 Indictment

Accused in a 1981 Los Angeles County Grand Jury indictment of having arranged Netter’s murder to collect on an insurance policy, Meier fought extradition from Canada for more than two years.

Prosecutors contended that Netter was the manager of a struggling videotape company when he met Meier in early 1974. Meier, they said, offered to help out by arranging a loan for Netter and subsequently had him killed to collect on a $400,000 insurance policy taken out as a condition of the loan.

On Tuesday, Brenner said he still believes “Mr. Meier either alone or with others . . . caused the murder of Netter. But in a general intellectual sense, the plea bargain reflects what we can prove today. Meier had knowledge of the murder . . . and has kept his knowledge secret.”

Brenner had charged in earlier proceedings that the beneficiary of the insurance policy and the man who took it out at Meier’s request was Canadian attorney Gordon Hazelwood. Hazelwood was also indicted in the murder, but Canadian authorities refused to extradite him, claiming there was insufficient evidence.

Third Man Never Found

The third man indicted, William Raymond McCrory, was never found. Brenner claimed that it was McCrory who actually entered Netter’s hotel room and stabbed him 15 times.

I don't feel like I can accept all this like the cryonics:

Hughes was lying there in his hermetically sealed coffin, frozen stiff, his eyes closed, his beard neatly trimmed, awaiting the day of his resurrection. His body appeared to be wrapped in a metallic sheath which ended at the upper chest. Meier could see bare flesh as far down as the top of his shoulders. There was a slight hum coming from the chamber.

As a fan of recorded music, I was intrigued by this little gem:

On May 23, 1975 Meier received an offer of assistance that was more a threat than a comfort. It came in the form of a mysterious call from a man offering to set up a system whereby Meier would be able to tape his telephone calls. The man introduced himself as Reice Hamel but Meier could not place him, nor the mutual friends Hamel claimed that they had. Meier gave a vague promise to consider the offer. Hamel was one of the best wiremen in North America. He was a gifted sound technician who had recorded many stars including Frank Sinatra, Joan Baez, Barbra Streisand and The Who.

[Leeroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uncover Hidden Secrets

"Age of Secrets: The Conspiracy that Toppled Richard Nixon and the Hidden Death of Howard Hughes" by Gerald Bellett is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of political intrigue and scandal. With meticulous research, Bellett delves into the Watergate scandal and the mysterious demise of Howard Hughes, offering unique perspectives and insights into these pivotal events. While the abundance of information can be overwhelming at times, the book delivers a riveting reading experience that is worth the effort. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in uncovering the hidden secrets that shaped a crucial era in American history.

[Sara Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating and mind blowing

I had never heard of any of this before, but was intrigued because I’m a history buff. WOW! Just absolutely amazing how convoluted the whole system really is. This is an incredible read for anyone who is into government conspiracy. It’ll blow your mind!

[Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about the secret history of Howard Hughes and Richard Nixon. Can’t wait for the movie.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to both NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for an advance copy of this book on Watergate, Howard Hughes and where the truth may lie.

There is the history that is taught, usually whitewashed to make children grow into ignorant, ill informed and easily fooled cogs to keep the perpetual machine of American exceptionalism going. There is history that is grudgingly accepted as true, that no one talks about the reason why counties are hated overseas, why wars are fought and people feel a little smarter knowing, but tend not to discuss nor think about, because it makes them feel uncomfortable. And there is the history that probably happened, but sounds too crazy to be real, to out there to be accepted, and yet there is a lot to be said, and a lot of evidence, maybe circumstantial, maybe coincidental that makes one hard to just wipe it away Sometimes the bodyguard of lies that makes truth so precious, as Winston Churchill was quoted as saying, muddies the water quite alot and makes knowing what it truth, what is fiction, and what is being feed to people like Soylent Green hard to digest and acknowledge. The 1970's were a dark time, with plenty of odd things, and many actions that even today are still not known, or understood, and probably never will be. This book tries to make sense of some of the chaos. Age of Secrets:The Conspiracy that Toppled Richard Nixon and the Hidden Death of Howard Hughes by journalist and writer Gerald Bellett offers a different view of the role of Howard Hughes in American politics, the reasons for the Watergate break in, and the dark paranoia of Richard Nixon.

John Meier was a simple guy with a gift for business, making money and getting people to like and trust him. And an ability to find himself in a lot of the dark history of the ending years of the twentieth century. Meier had made his name in the business world when Howard Hughes, inventor, aviator, dater of Hollywood startlets, and beginning reclusive millionaire approached him for a job. Proving himself and sharing a hatred with Hughes of atomic weapons, Hughes soon gave Meier more and more responsibility, leading to him approaching many a politician with a briefcases full of cash, with requests from Hughes on ending above ground testing of nuclear weapons, and other things. Hughes would eventually be sidelined by his advisors, and his own madness, and the fear of what could be revealed by Hughes, Meier and others began to infest the Nixon administration. Soon the forces of the American government, international forces, Hughes own group and other interested parties would be focused on Meier, all wanting to know what he knew, when he knew it, and how they could profit from his knowledge.

The book for all its revealing of secrets and ideas of what the true history of Hughes and Watergate really is is very well written, with a lot of sources and notes. Lacking the hyperbole and hysterical writing that many books of a conspiracy bent, or full of accusations of government overreach, the book's style is like a conversation, with footnotes. A very straight forward account, and quite compelling with many moments that make a reader go, hmm, that's odd, I wonder why they would do that. My doubt is that the real truth will never be known about many things. People can't even come to a consensus about the riot at the Capital almost 3 years ago. Too many people have too many things to loose, money, power, respect their self-esteem to ever tell the truth about anything. Was it a third- rate robbery, or was the secret even bigger.
An interesting account of what might have been, and what could be the truth. The book has a nice style and once the story starts rolling is very hard to put down. For Watergate and Nixon fans, especially readers of Secret Agenda and the classic Silent Coup.

[Marty Doskins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This appears to be an updated version of this book including recent developments and events in the life of the main subject, John H. Meier. He was involved in a lot of behind the scenes activities in areas like nuclear disarmament, Howard Hughes, and Watergate.

It appears I'm kind of in the minority regarding this book. Most found it a fascinating read about the USA's secrets and conspiracies. However, I thought there were several problems with the book. First, I think the subject was too broad and ended up very convoluted. I didn't like the organization and storytelling of the book. There were too many players and they just seemed to pop up out of nowhere. I couldn't keep track of who was who and there was a lot of jumping around between scenes. I know that Mr. Meier had his hand in a lot of pies, but I think it should've been whittled down or organized better. Second, the whole thing just read like a badly written spy novel. I understand this was how it may have been done, but how many times could "Go to the third bench, call this number, and ask for Mr. Smith." keep coming up. Finally, I thought it was strange that in the writing, the actual phone numbers that people called were included. I guess the editor didn't see this as a problem, but I thought it was a strange decision.

I'm sorry I couldn't write a more positive review, but I just found too many things that bothered me.

Thank you to Meier Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

[ThoughtCriminal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age of Secrets is an engaging, well written and well researched thriller of a page-turner! The craziest thing is that this is nonfiction! Truth is ALWAYS stranger than fiction!

This book was originally published in 1995 but I think it is highly relevant to the interesting times we are now living in. As a matter of fact this inside look at the game of politics, a most criminal profession to be sure, could be reminiscent of any time throughout history. Only names and technology changes, but the methodology is the same. There is certainly a lesson to be learned here about the nature of the institution we call government.

That being said…

Age of Secrets begins with a background of the main character and how he ended up working for Howard Hughes, witnessed backroom political deals, blackmail and much more. Kennedys, Nixons, CIA, Canadian and British intelligence, good guys, bad guys, a most mind boggling murder case wrought with conflicts of interest and a lack of evidence prosecuted on word of mouth by a hater and almost no investigation. A very interesting piece of fast moving history that I'm glad I had the opportunity to read. This book certainly filled in some gaps in my pretty decent grasp of underreported history, and possibly opened up new rabbit holes. Highly recommended, even if this type of story is not usually your thing. Many books with these kinds of accounts are not always written by talented writers but I can assure you this one will keep you interested! John Meier's perseverance is amazing! I must admit, though, that I am just a bit skeptical of how squeaky clean he is portrayed in this book, given his close proximity to such dirty dealings. But, hey, you never know. Maybe that's why they tried so hard to take him down. As unbelievable as this story may seem, I am certainly not surprised that governments put him through this madness. The sad fact is that this is what governments do when they feel threatened. Not conspiracy theory, just business as usual. The thing that surprises me the most is that they didn't just take him out. Wow, what a wild ride!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Peter Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a light read, but it is a compelling one. I picked up this book out of curiosity and ended up far more absorbed than I expected. It reads like a political thriller, yet it is grounded in real people, real events, and documented history.

What stood out to me most is the scope. The story moves across countries and decades, touching on Watergate, the CIA, Howard Hughes, and the inner workings of U.S. politics at a level most of us never see. The writing is detailed and dense at times, but that also gives it weight.
If you enjoy political history, investigative biographies, or stories about whistleblowers and government overreach, this book is worth your time. It is thought provoking, intense, and at times disturbing, but it stays with you long after you finish the last page.

[Bill Conrad · Rating 5 out of 5]

scandal, and the CIA during the 60s. This was a crazy time in US history, and Gerald linked a bunch of facts together to paint a grim perspective of corruption.
I especially liked the diary entries at the book's end— some shocking facts about RFK. I also liked the writing style, which made it seem like the reader was sitting at a bar, and some random person next to them started talking about what happened in the 60s.
This is a great read and an important one. We need to make sure past sins are understood and not repeated. I recommend this book to those who wish to learn a broad historical view of the complex events that occurred in our recent past.

[Mary C. N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a historian or a hardcore researcher, just a history nerd, but I always felt something was off about Nixon’s fall. It never fully added up. The angle the author takes here is bold and honestly kind of thrilling. Blaming the CIA, shadowy state powers, and other forces is a wild accusation, sure, but it grabs you instantly. Whether it’s true or not, I wouldn’t be shocked if it eventually proves right. That’s politics for you. What we see on camera is clean and scripted, but behind the scenes there’s always dirt, pressure, and ugly deals.

[carl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and captivating

This short book was well-written and the stories depict many of what most of us probably wonder about when it comes to politics and government. The author takes the reader in the most vivid way, his experiences and struggles. His description in the end about his exhaustion and relief that his ordeal is finally over is so poignant. As I read through his experiences and stories, it was exhilarating and mind-blowing at the same time. Well done!

[M.K. Tufft · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great potential but a challenging read

I was excited to come across this book… until I started digging into it.
It starts with a compelling beginning–very John LeCarre–but then dissolves into a muddle of details and plot lines. There isn’t enough documentation to call it non-fiction. It appears to be a novel fleshed out using parts of diaries for the basis. Some sections have many formatting errors, as noted by other reviewers. It would benefit by a major edit.

[Doug Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!

If anyone has any doubts that a deep state cabal working handling love with the CIA isn't running our country, then you need to read this alarmingly vivid , interesting account of John Meyer's career! If you think for one minute you know what happened with the Watergate breaking or the JFK & RFK assassinations, think again, get it here from Howard Hughes' personal director of operations!

[Alberto BC · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of international politics and conspiracy theories, you will surely have a good time going through the pages of this book. The Watergate case, CIA, the White House, and Nixon all in one read...as a non-US citizen, it was sometimes a bit overwhelming since I got lost in so many not-so-familiar terms or names. But although I initially thought that the reading would be challenging for my English level, I enjoyed learning more about this case.

[Christopher Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revelatory, that’s the word I’d use for what the author delivers here. Nixon, what really happened to him? What was the real story behind everything we were shown? This book dives straight into that mess. Conspiracies, mafia ties, powerful groups working against Richard Nixon, it’s all laid out in a way that keeps you hooked. Page after page, you feel like layers are being peeled back. As a historian, this felt like fresh water in the desert.

[Venus · Rating 4 out of 5]

whoa

Unbelievably well researched and extremely impressive. This book and gets into ideas I never would have even thought about, even though I’m really fascinated by US history, and Nixon in particular.

It’s quite the expose that a lot of you won’t be ready for, but it definitely got me thinking, and definitely leery of what our government is capable of.

[Ron Baumer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise regarding the story behind Watergate and how one individual was responsible for orchestrating it all. I am not sure I believe the conspiracy theory the author was promoting, but for those who like to read about this type of book, you will enjoy it.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Matthew Scigousky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars for Content 3 for Formatting

This could be a 5 star book in my opinion. The glaring elephant is the formatting and spacing mistakes in the book. The content is Great and very interesting. Reader experience matters and can put a great book over the top. I’ve been there myself and it makes all the difference when you have great material.

[Matthew Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much here

Conspiracies are everywhere! Whether it’s the government, celebrities, or many other things, there’s no shortage of lies, corruption, and unsolved mysteries. When’s the last time you read a good conspiracy theory? How about you take this book out for a spin? Check it out!

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Meier Publishing for the Audiobook ARC!

Age of Secrets is a comprehensive account of the Watergate Era, with a specific emphasis on the empire of Howard Hughes and his connections to the CIA and the US government in general. I found the book to be quite interesting, and learned a lot about some of the key characters from that era.

[Roger Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and detailed book on a gambit of activity that I'm glad to say I now appreciate my boring and routine life!

The Howard Hughes and Nixons observations and activities are most interesting and perhaps disturbing as we close into election year now.

A great and definitive work by the author as it becomes hard to set down.

[Jenny Kellett · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic read

I’m by no means a conspiracy theorist, however I am a history buff and this book is fantastic. It’s a long book and I read it in 2 days as I couldn’t put it down! I’m obsessed with googling the claims now. If you’re fascinated in the JFK era, this is a must read

[J.A. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juicy and Scandalous

The scandals and secrets that rocked the White House during the Nixon years come out in this juicy expose of the period, and which are linked to a mysterious death or two.

[Mohammed Ahmad · Rating 5 out of 5]

secret revealing

This book is extracted from self memories and contains good load of helpful information about American history especially during Nixon presidency time. However, these informations were hidden for almost 50 years.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times I found the writing style a bit hard to follow, I appreciated this book. It is appalling how forces within the U.S. government treated John Meier. So sad, and not what our founders intended.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book

Have to shake my head at the behavior and actions of government agencies.that are used to go after individuals.. I guess corruption in DC is the normal state of thungs.

[Vivika Widow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

Not usually one for non fiction I found this a really interesting read. It’s is well researched, well presented and really makes you think.