Dear Van,

 

Thank you for your warm welcome!

 

I just posted a message to howardhughesthegenius@yahoo, but has not shown up. Just as well...so many angles to approach, and then go back and read previous postings, and see something I suggest has already been attempted (i.e., contacting Jack Real with no response).

 

One thing I need to do is read your book and Jack Real's book. I work seasonally part of the year and then fill in the gaps doing freelance work in the educational field with publishing companies to earn my living. It is not at a level where I write books for any of these companies. In other words, I have no pull with these companies.

 

Also, I have an interest and willingness, but am not fully retired. This subject is as deep as the ocean!  Meaning also can become totally time absorbing.

 

In the course of some of my freelance work, I did come across a short article on Howard Hughes successfully flying the Spruce Goose in a children's magazine, "Cricket". It was written to show the theme of determination to children. At least, that shows some willingliness to give HRH some credit beginning to emerge. Think "Cricket" is owned by Harcourt or one of the other 3 major publishing media-conglomerates.

 

Just read today an interview of Leonardo D'Capprio in Vanity Fair about "The Aviator". Scorcesse and him have hopes of winning an award. I did see one of those previews while at the movies recently and the H-1 racer will be a beauty to behold. But, from what said in interview, Scorcesse is still going to slam HRH with his end years. Agree that HRH had no control over what was done to him and it is unfair to sensationalize something he could not keep from happening...doctors/aides keeping him in a drugged state. Even though some people do not like the Broeske book, they seem to me, to be more fair than other books have read and they seemed to try and put HRH's life in context. Overall, I think it is impossible for anyone to know...so many people in his life and he did have his glamour years. Which is a big part of his allure.

 

But did notice in the book that one of the persons passing on some of these outrageous dalliances was Bill Gay, and I always had a feeling from looking at him/reading about him, that he was bad news. So, using that reasoning, possibly Gay and others went to town on HRH's personal life. Either way, I figure Hughes was just so fascinating and had redeeming qualities, that to heck with the other, and just concentrate on his aviation accomplishments. Have read in 2 books that he said towards his dying days that he did not want to be remembered for the women and movies, he wanted to be remembered for aviation. Wish someone there (minus the scheming aides)...would have kept him undrugged and recorded everything he said, as it sounded like he opened up about personal feelings. It must have been priceless! Think when people get close to the end of their lives, they speak the truth...they are beyond their egos.

 

There was a PBS special called "Chasing the Sun" a year or so ago I saw. I only was interested in the HRH part. They did a nice segment on him overall...said he was a visionary. But, their transcript on the Internet talks of paranoia...again, if shot up with drugs, etc., what can one expect? Anyway, if you ever get the chance to see it, you might like the segment...sort of captures the romance of his love affair with planes and his personal mystique.

 

Well, I have to do reading up when I can, and keep noticing what is posted.

 

Regards,

 

Sincerely,

 

roxie

 

"Van J. Simmons" <gsimmons@...> wrote: