Hughesworld

<p><i>Hughesworld</i> is an authentic account written by a press spokesman for Howard Hughes that traces the highlights of his varied life in motion pictures and aviation but concentrates on the management struggle that followed his death in 1976.</p> <p>Hughes died intestate or without a valid will opening up a circus of phony will documents. In addition hundreds of far-distant relatives staked claims. A first cousin Texas lawyer William Lummis assumed control after a long and bitter struggle with executives and lawyers who had previously managed Hughes' businesses.</p> <p>Hughes is shown as a brilliant aviation pioneer and aircraft designer as well as a motion picture producer and an able if unorthodox industrialist. At one time he owed a major airline TWA a leading oil well drilling bit company Hughes Tool and a missile and electonics concern Hughes Aircraft. In the final phase of his business life he owned six Las Vegas hotel-casinos.</p> <p>He ended as a tragic character living secluded in pain from injuries sustained in plane crashes rendered helpless by drugs.</p>