All posts by Phil Gibbons

Howard Hughes and His Empire of Madness (Part Two)

On April 5, 1976, when he died in a private jet,  en route to Houston, Texas, Howard Hughes was a hopeless drug addict, weighed 93 pounds and hadn’t even taken a step on his own in several years.  He was also the world’s wealthiest man, living proof that money can’t buy happiness.

The entrance to the Beverly Hills Hotel, Howard Hughes’ home for over a decade
Jean Peters
The Desert Inn, circa 1968
Actress Terry Moore, one of Hughes’ female companions, who claimed after his death that he married her in a boat in international waters and that she gave birth to Hughes’ illegitimate child that died shortly after childbirth. The Hughes estate settled with her for a sum believed to be around 400,000 dollars.

Howard Hughes and His Empire of Madness (Book and Music Information)

The books used to assemble this podcast included:

“Howard Hughes, His Life and Madness,” by Donald Bartlett and James Steele, and

“Hughes: the Private Diaries and Letters,” by Richard Hack.

The music used in this podcast consisted of “Photos of Them,” and “Friendship Wand,” both by Freedom Trail Studio.

Edward Snowden, American Hero or Malignant Traitor? (Part One)

In 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations.

National Security Agency Headquarters, Fort Meade, MD
Edward Snowden
Glenn Greenwald, publicity photo
Laura Poitras
General Keith Alexander

Edward Snowden, American Hero or Malignant Traitor? (Part Two)

In 2013, while working as a contractor at the National Security Agency, Edward Snowden leaked an extensive collection of top secret documents, an act of defiance that, today, still reverberates throughout US intelligence and international relations.

Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport
Edward Snowden in his Hong Kong hotel room
Glen Greenwald and Ewan Mckaskill, in Hong Kong
Academy Award onstage presentation to Laura Poitras, Glenn Greenwald and Lindsay Mills, second from right
Keith Alexander 2014 retirement party, with Chuck Hagel and James Clapper

Edward Snowden, American Hero or Malignant Traitor? (Book and Music Information)

The books used to compose this podcast included:

“Permanent Record,” by Edward Snowden, “The Snowden Files,” by Luke Harding, and “No Place To Hide,” by Glenn Greenwald.

The music intro to both episodes was  “Chosen” by Anno Domini Beats, and the outro to both episodes was, “Moon Vision,” by Chris Haugen.

J. D. Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye (Part One)

 

J. D. Salinger, photo used on book jacket, The Catcher in the Rye
Original book jacket cover, The Catcher in the Rye
Cornish-Windsor Bridge, near Salinger’s home
The Catcher in the Rye, paperback book edition cover, designed by Salinger
Jean Miller, 2013

J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind “The Catcher in the Rye”

Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with “The Catcher in the Rye.” This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger’s early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger’s masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame.

From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger’s complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.

J. D. Salinger and The Catcher in the Rye (Part Two)

J. D. Salinger, Time Magazine, 1961
Original dust jacket of The Catcher in the Rye, Salinger eventually demanded that his photo be removed.
J. D. Salinger, on the streets of Windsor, Vermont, later in life.
Joyce Maynard, later in life.

J.D. Salinger: The Reclusive Genius Behind “The Catcher in the Rye”

Discover the untold story of J.D. Salinger, the enigmatic author who captivated a generation with “The Catcher in the Rye.” This bite-sized biography delves into Salinger’s early life, his traumatic experiences in World War II, and the creative process behind his iconic novel. Learn how Salinger’s masterpiece transformed American literature and why he retreated from the public eye at the height of his fame.

From his privileged Manhattan upbringing to his struggles with PTSD, uncover the fascinating journey of a literary legend. This episode reveals Salinger’s complex relationships, his battles with publishers, and the lasting impact of his work.

J. D. Salinger and the Catcher in the Rye: Book and Music Information

The books used in the production of this podcast included:

“Salinger,” by Shane Salerno, and

“J. D. Salinger: A Life” by Kenneth Slawenski.

The music used in the podcast included:

For the Part One Intro and Part Two Outro: “Candy Apple Town,” by National Sweetheart

For the Part Two Intro and Part One Outro: “Chase Waves,” by Karneef

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind The Battleship Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage (Part One)

 

Admiral Gunther Lutjens
Hitler on naval inspection tour of the “Deutschland,” in 1934.
Crew of Bismarck on deck, its 15 inch guns visible
Spitfire reconnaissance photo near Bergen, Norway.
Bismarck during the Battle of the Denmark Strait

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage

Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind The Battleship Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage (Part Two)

Captain Ernst Lindemann
HMS Prince of Wales
Admiral John Tovey on the deck of the George V
Swordfish Torpedo dive bomber
Swordfish returning to the Ark Royal after attacking the Bismarck
Ark Royal and Renown from HMS Sheffield
Bismarck survivors being rescued by the Dorsetshire
Hitler and Raeder, 1943

Gunther Lutjens: The Admiral Behind the Bismarck’s Fateful Voyage

Discover the untold story of Admiral Gunther Lutjens and the nine-day voyage of Nazi Germany’s most powerful battleship, the Bismarck. This bite-sized biography delves into the naval strategies, political tensions, and dramatic sea battles that led to one of World War II’s most epic maritime confrontations. From Hitler’s rearmament plans to the sinking of the HMS Hood, uncover the forgotten details of this pivotal moment in naval history.