More on Margulis

My main blogging venue is the Las Vegas Review-Journal. I just filed a long blog post about Gordon Margulis here.

Margulis dead at 77; services set

The Las Vegas Review-Journal's John L. Smith wrote a wonderful column today about well-known Hughes aide Gordon Margulis, who died Wednesday. It's here.

Services are set for 11 a.m. Monday at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church at 2300 Sunridge Heights Parkway in Henderson, Nevada.

Report: Hughes aide Margulis near death

Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist John L. Smith reported on his blog this afternoon that Gordon Margulis, a longtime personal aide to Howard Hughes, is "nearing the end in a hospice" in Las Vegas.

Gordie, as he was better known, was an important and trusted source in my research for my book about Hughes. After the book was published, we continued to stay in touch. Gordie was the star of the show when he was part of a panel discussion about Hughes at my book launch party at the Nevada State Museum. In general, he was always willing to offer his informed perspective on various Hughes myths and realities.

Ironically, the last time I saw Gordie in person was at the funeral of Bob Maheu, who was Hughes' top aide in Las Vegas in the 1960s (and another key source for my book). Bob and Gordie later became very close friends. One of the highlights of my work on the book was an animated dinner conversation with Bob and Gordie at Tinoco's Bistro in downtown Las Vegas.

The news of Gordie's hospice-level health status caught me by surprise today, largely because I believed him to be such a strong, healthy man, even in his golden years. After all, it wasn't too long ago that he worked part time as a bouncer at a local nightclub.

My very best wishes to Gordie's family.

Hughes book finalist for national award

I learned yesterday that my book, "Howard Hughes: Power, Paranoia & Palace Intrigue," is a finalist in the biography category of the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards.

"HH," as the book is known in the offices of its publisher, Stephens Press, is competing against 11 other biographies published by independent presses. Those other independent presses include Harvard and Kent State universities.

Foreword's Book of the Year competition was established to call increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors. Foreword is the only review trade journal devoted exclusively to books from independent houses.

Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in each category, as well as Editor’s Choice prizes for fiction and nonfiction, will be announced May 29 at the BookExpo America convention in New York City. The winners of the two Editor’s Choice Prizes will be awarded $1,500 each.

It's a great feeling to be named a finalist. Actually winning a medal will be amazing. We'll see how it plays out soon enough.