Citizen Hearst

Good bargain Excellent condition

After visiting Hearst castle I decided in this as a summer read. Easy to follow, though a bit too much detail when it comes to the politics section, it's a great biography of a fascinating man and a good onsite into a world that very few will ever see. Well worth a read and I can understand why it is viewed as best in class by many.

Most of us come with some pre-conceived ideas about what William Randolph Hearst was all about - whether it is from his seeing his castles or from watching Citizen Kane. I learned to swim in Hearst's pool as a child at St. Donat's Castle in Wales in the 50's and this experience left a lasting impression on me. Tales about Hearst and his visits to St. Donat's have only amplified this interest over the years and naturally I was drawn to this book.Mr. Swanberg has painted on a large canvas in order to include as much detail as possible about Hearst's life, loves and ambitions. And this is both an advantage and disadvantage - nothing seems to have been left out. The writing is impeccable and in parts fascinating, making attempts to unravel this complicated and contradictory character: There can't have been many newspaper owners that have provoked international wars and become president maker. The first chapters outlining his youth and his urge to run his own newspaper are enjoyable and interesting, but the best is kept until the last 150 or so pages which describe his lifestyle of excess, waste and ultimate decline.There is much detail provided first-hand from people who knew and worked for Hearst and this adds numerous interesting anecdotes. It's a pity however that the publishers have not decided to include more photographs in this new edition. The book was written 40 years ago and although styles change over the years, it does not read as old-fashioned. Nevertheless, a large part of the detailed text is given over to Hearst's political ambitions - which are probably less interesting to the majority of readers in the year 2000 than in 1960. Notwithstanding these comments, the book must be considered an excellent read for anyone remotely interested in Hearst.

This has to be one of the most detailed biographies I have ever read, but it was one of the most gripping. WR (as he liked to be known by friends) was central to the 'cultural' development of America in the early half of the 20th century, Swanberg's biography faithfully records his life in journalism, politics, love and architecture, giving a unique insight into the man. My interest in Hearst was started by seeing Citizen Kane (which unsurprisingly he detested) I'm glad read this book as it better showed his real character and place in history.

Incredible that a newspaper man could goad the American People to declare war on Spain on false charges the Spaniards were torturing the Cubans ..... TO SELL NEWSPAPERS !!"YOU SUPPLY THE PICTURES ... I WILL SUPPLY THE WAR!"

As described and very well-priced!

Very interesting story of an highly influential man. Never knew much about him and after reading other books I was amazed how often his name pops up in other literature as to how he affected so many people and events.

very informative, and gave me a clear understanding of a fine man, and yet why he had and, deserved, his many enemies.

Didn't like fighting with the pages in this paperback. And it was a long book so I bought the hardback. Also the print was too small.What I read was interesting so I bought the hardback instead.