Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes’s Hollywood

Early 20th-century Hollywood witnessed the exploitation of women to a shameful degree. Women were herded into parties and found themselves subject to the carnal desires of the movers and shakers of the motion picture industry. Howard Hughes came to Hollywood and left his mark on this period with his own quirks. Hughes was born in Texas and was raised by a mother who controlled Howard and infected him with his soon to be legendary fear of germs and impurity. The loss of his mother left an indelible mark on Hughes; he would seek the loving arms of many women over the course of his life. Hughes would learn the film business after his mother’s untimely passing. He would also learn the art of womanizing through his father and Uncle. Hughes would exercise his need for control in producing epic movies and seducing a myriad of starlets. Hughes’ mind would start to wander and his desire for one woman would fade, while the next voluptuous woman would enter stage right. The madness that overtook him shone through relationships, professional and personal.

Karina Longworth has tackled a tough subject but at the right time. Howard Hughes has been written about ad nauseam, but Seduction offers differing perspectives, which is truly refreshing. All sides are explored…Hughes, his women, insiders…an exploration of a troubled man and troubling times. A book that should be read and enjoyed by many.