Summary of Empire: the Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes

"Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes" is a biography written by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele that provides a comprehensive account of the life of the eccentric and reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. The book delves into Hughes's early years as a successful aviator and entrepreneur, his rise to fame and fortune in Hollywood, and his later years as a reclusive and mentally unstable figure. The authors explore Hughes's numerous business ventures, his relationships with women, his battles with the government and creditors, and his descent into madness. Through meticulous research and interviews with those who knew Hughes, Barlett and Steele paint a vivid picture of a complex and enigmatic man whose life was marked by both extraordinary success and tragic decline.