William Randolph Hearst: The Early Years, 1863-1910

"A lively read...a literate, fact-packed tale of a man obsesses with succeeding."--New York Post "[Procter's] portrait of Willie Hearst is penetrating."--The Washington Post Book World "Procter, a skillful researcher, has written a work of historiography embedded in the biography. Over and over, he points out the factual and interpretive mistakes of previous Hearst biographers.... detail-packed, competently written volume."-- Publishers Weekly "Procter worked hard on this book, reading, he says, every issue of such Hearst newspapers as the New York Journal (later the New York American) and the San Francisco Examiner over several years."-- Kirkus Reviews "In a style that is fresh and captures the imagination, Procter's impressive biography will replace everything written thus far about the early career of William Randolph Hearst."--Richard Lowitt, Professor of History, The University of Oklahoma "Procter's Hearst is by far the most believable and comprehensive portrait yet drawn. The popular version of the publisher, much influenced by the movie Citizen Kane, is an exercise in reductio ad absurdum. But the practice of either idolizing or denigrating Hearst and all his works comes to an end with this book. Well written, carefully researched, William Randolph Hearst is an invaluable reassessment of the most important publisher of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries."--David Trask, author of The War With Spain in 1898 "Solidly researched.... It will be a welcome addition to academic journalism history collections."--Library Journal "Makes more clear and specific than ever the acts and events that shaped this enigmatic and powerful figure in our national history. Most of the major events have been written about before, but the concentrated impact of the new ones makes the evidence all the more compelling."--San Francisco Examiner and Chronicle "This meticulously researched book, the first of a two-volume study, corrects some earlier errors, adds some new information gleaned from recently released letters and other manuscript materials, and presents Hearst in a lively, engaging manner."--Star Ledger "Previous biographers have given short shrift to Hearst's stormy academic career, his unexpected entry into the newspaper business and the thought behind his new syle of tabloid journalism. Proctor, a skillful researcher, has written a work of historiography embedded in the biography. Over and over, he points out the factual and interpretive mistakes of previous Hearst biographers, including the legendary Swanberg.... Judging by this detail-packed, competently written volume, the follow-up ought to be worth waiting for."--Publisher's Weekly

Ben Procter is Professor of History at Texas Christian University and the author of Not Without Honor: The Life of John H. Reagan, Battle of the Alamo, and Just One Riot. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas.