Rejebian Series Presents Char Justiss, Reviewer: "The Chief: The Life of William Randolph Hearst" By David Nasaw

In “The Chief,” David Nasaw presents an intimate portrait of William Randolph Hearst, famously characterized in the classic film “Citizen Kane,” and whose influence was nearly as great as many world leaders. A brilliant business strategist, Hearst 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.

With unprecedented access to Hearst’s personal and business papers, Nasaw details Hearst’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.

About Char Justiss
Char Justiss, a professional book reviewer and former history professor, always focuses on the stories behind history. Char is a sixth-generation Texan who was born in the Piney Woods of East Texas. She lived in Midlothian for 19 years and currently lives in Dallas. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's degree from the University of North Texas. Right out of college, she worked for a year at KTRE-TV in Lufkin and had her own television show interviewing notables in the East Texas area. When she moved to Dallas, she worked briefly at the Dallas Morning News before landing a job with TM Productions, a jingle company that creates musical IDs for radio and television stations around the world.

Char's greatest interest is history, and she has presented programs and book reviews to various historical and genealogical organizations in and around the Dallas area. Char was happily married to her wonderful husband for more than 44 years until he passed away. When not doing book reviews, Char enjoys spending time with her precious granddaughter.