By the Seventies Howard Hughes was the “invisible billionaire”. A enterprise tycoon, a daring aviator and Hollywood Lothario, Hughes had a tremendous life story… however hiding away in luxurious resorts he wasn’t sharing his reminiscences with anybody.
Then the recluse instructed a revered publishing home – by way of intermediaries – that he was engaged on an autobiography. The e-book can be a blockbuster… nevertheless it was all a lie.
Cautionary Tales is written by me, Tim Harford, with Andrew Wright. It’s produced by Ryan Dilley, with help from Courtney Guarino and Emily Vaughn.
The sound design and unique music is the work of Pascal Wyse. Julia Barton edited the scripts.
Due to the crew at Pushkin Industries, together with Mia Lobel, Jacob Weisberg, Heather Fain, Jon Schnaars, Carly Migliori, Eric Sandler, Emily Rostek, Royston Beserve, Maggie Taylor, Nicole Morano, Daniella Lakhan and Maya Koenig.
Additional studying and listening
Hoax by Clifford Irving
The Hoax by Stephen Fay, Lewis Chester and Magnus Linklater
The Confidence Sport by Maria Konnikova
Jeffrey Goldberg “Liar, Liar” The New Yorker 16 April 2007
Transcripts and statements archived within the New York Occasions 10 January 1972