The Chief

The Life of William Randolph Hearst

By: David Nasaw

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 30 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

William Randolph Hearst, known to his staff as the "Chief", was a brilliant business strategist and a man of prodigious appetites. By the 1930s, he controlled the largest publishing empire in the United States, including 28 newspapers, the Cosmopolitan Picture Studio, radio stations, and 13 magazines. He quickly learned how to use this media stronghold to achieve unprecedented political power.

The son of a gold miner, Hearst underwent a public metamorphosis from Harvard dropout to political kingmaker; from outspoken populist to opponent of the New Deal; and from citizen to congressman. In The Chief, David Nasaw presents an intimate portrait of the man famously characterized in the classic film Citizen Kane.

With unprecedented access to Hearst's personal and business papers, Nasaw details Heart's relationship with his wife, Millicent, and his romance with Marion Davies; his interactions with Hitler, Mussolini, Churchill, and every American president from Grover Cleveland to Franklin Roosevelt; and his acquaintance with movie giants such as Louis B. Mayer, Jack Warner, and Irving Thalberg. An "absorbing, sympathetic portrait of an American original," The Chief sheds light on the private life of a very public man (Chicago Tribune).

©2000 David Nasaw (P)2021 Tantor

Way too long

The Chief is 736 pages if read. I listened it was 30+hrs. Hurst is a fascinating character in the 19th and 20th century. A million adjectives probably cannot describe the man. But David Colacci sure did try. I would put money on the dashboard that only a few people actually read this book cover to cover. It’s another book added to personal libraries collecting dust. A great look into over the top wealth, propaganda, and eccentricity. Just way too damn long.

Last of the Media Moguls

fascinating person who shaped journalism in this country.Rupert Murdoch must have been a admirer of W.R

definitely worth the read.

nothing is new under the sun it only gets updated. Hearst mirrors facebook tweeter and all of the media today that will do anything to influence our country. but the question is are they helping or hurting society

A man bigger than life

I had never read much about Mr. Hearst. This book is an excellent resource regarding his personal and business life. Surely he had his flaws but his influential mark on journalism is irrefutable.

Fascinating but boring

I hate being critical and this is probably subjective and unfair- but this needed a much more dynamic reader. Otherwise, good story and if you can get beyond the reader, you’re better than I.

Citizen Hearst

I listened to this book after seeing a documentary on Hearst. The Nasaw telling of this man is beautiful in its complexity. His story had many layers the documentary could not address. If you like a well-paced biography, this is the book for you.

Excellent Story

Loved this audio book. Kept me interested from beginning to end. The narrator was great.

I don’t know about this guy but …

I didn’t know anything about Hearst before this so I can’t really review it.

But as a listener with an interest in history this stuff is amazing the writer and the reader are really great.

Seems like a really well researched well written piece, I have been listening to Caro’s work on LBJ so my standards are pretty high.

Excellent bio, Excellent author

Nasaw is a great biographer and captures Hearst’s life in a captivating way. Never a dull moment in WRH life. I recommend Nasaws Carnegie bio too!

Exceedingly interesting life

I found this easy to listen to at 1.5 x. The story was one I had never heard so it held my attention well.