Next to Hughes: Behind the Power and Tragic Downfall of Howard Hughes by His Closest Advisor

by Robert Maheu, Richard Hack

Offers an intimate look at the eccentric multimillionaire's final years

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

289 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1992

Reviews

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you remember the popular television show from the 60’s – “Mission Impossible”? If you do, than you likely recall the character played by Peter Graves – “Mr. Phelps”, receiving direction from an anonymous tape recording that self-destructed seconds after it was listened to. Credible people have asserted that it is more than plausible that Robert Maheu was indeed the alter-ego used to depict the character for Mr. Phelps.

I enjoyed reading this very interesting book. The account of how Maheu, acting on Howard Hughes' behalf, outfoxed the prominent Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, in Onassis’ desire to control the global transport of oil, alone, is worth the read. Saudi Arabia, Richard Nixon and Fidel Castro, all are featured prominently in the text. Maheu was regularly employed by the Central Intelligence Agency for its “cut-out” assignments, allowing the CIA to prospectively, plausibly deny and disavow any knowledge of Maheu’s involvement, had he been discovered and caught. Over the lengthy period of time Maheu was employed by the eccentric Howard Hughes, he never physically met the former aviator, turned recluse, conducting his business by telephonic and written instruction.

This book is about “The Rabbit Hole” that Morpheus so aptly described to Neo in “The Matrix”. If you are an explorer, and would choose to take the Red Pill to determine how deep the Rabbit Hole actually does go, then you will likely enjoy this book. However, if your choice would be to take the Blue Pill and stay in your bed, then just turn on your television set to CNN, FOX News or MSNBC – they enjoy telling people what to think - don't forget to order Room Service.

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific account of the thirteen years spent as the public persona of Howard Hughes. Maheu doesn't pull any punches and adds to his credibility by not trying to make himself look good.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Maheu, a "former" agent of both the FBI and the CIA, spent a good portion of his later career as a Howard Hughes' mouthpiece to the world. By this time, Hughes was mostly in hiding, rarely speaking to outsiders, and hidden from public view. He was also one of the wealthiest industrialists in the world. He also had a lot of money tied up in US defense contracts, culminating in hearings before the US Congress. During this time, in case you missed it when I mentioned it earlier, his mouthpiece, ally, business adviser and chief representative around the world was... wait for it... a "former" CIA agent. Or was it F.B.I.? He was definitely working for the CIA when he arranged the meetings between the Mob and the CIA to come up with plans to kill Castro. And Hughes was involved... how? Imagine if Smithers, on the Simpsons, was really a CIA agent, and pulled most of the strings for Mr. Burns' empire. Much hilarity ensues, etc. That's what this book is like, only the hilarity involves shady people and events. J. Edgar Hoover's there, with blackmailers, Senators, gossip on Eisenhower's hatred for Nixon... It turns out, in fact, that a donation from Hughes to Nixon's brother is part of what spawned a series of buggings that later got the President of the United States nearly impeached, and out of office. Would have been a good CIA plot, you'd think. Or a good novel. Hard to tell which is going on here (or not come away with the feeling that Maheu was shaping Hughes, not working for him)... But fascinating nonetheless.

NC

[Jeff Russo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maheu first started working with Hughes in the 1950s and served as his Vegas top dog and alter-ego in the late 1960s, all without ever meeting the big guy. Maheu mixes discussion of his work with Hughes with the stuff he was doing on the side, like arranging to have his mob pals murder Fidel Castro. Maheu blasts Bill Gay, who orchestrated the ouster of Maheu from the Hughes empire in 1970-71, as being the greedy bad guy in all of this (which some claim Maheu was) and essentially "killing" Hughes through drugs and isolation. Kirkus reviews called this book the "self-servingly selective reminiscences of a world-class hustler" and "a graceless, narcissistic, score-settling apologia."

Best/unique things about this book: Actually, considering who wrote this book, it is rather light on details. The best parts are the parts only tangentially related to Hughes (like the Castro business.) Maybe this really is "selective reminiscences." I learned more about the Hughes-Maheu relationship from the Drosnin book than from the Maheu book.

See all my Howard Hughes book reviews.

[Anthony Alegrete · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! It was non stop. Great history in this book. I highly recommend this book.