📖 Overview
Harry Hurt III is an American journalist and author known for his investigative reporting and non-fiction books, particularly his coverage of business, sports, and politics. His work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, Texas Monthly, and Newsweek.
One of his most notable works is "Texas Rich: The Hunt Dynasty from the Early Oil Days Through the Silver Crash" (1981), which chronicled the rise and fall of the wealthy Hunt family of Texas. The book received significant attention for its detailed examination of H.L. Hunt's oil empire and his sons' attempt to corner the silver market.
His other books include "Upstairs at the Bank of America" (1983) and "Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump" (1993), which provided early biographical insights into Trump's business dealings and personal life. Hurt also authored "For All Mankind" (1988), a detailed account of NASA's Apollo program based on interviews with astronauts and mission control personnel.
Hurt has maintained a presence in journalism through various columns and contributions, including writing about golf for The New York Times and serving as editor-at-large for GOLF Magazine. His career spans several decades of reporting across multiple genres of non-fiction writing.
👀 Reviews
Reader reviews for Harry Hurt III focus primarily on "Lost Tycoon" and "Texas Rich," with limited feedback on his other works.
Readers appreciated:
- Deep research and detail in "Texas Rich"
- Direct access to sources and original interviews
- Clear explanation of complex financial dealings
- Documentation of events through primary sources
Common criticisms:
- Writing style called "dry" and "academic" by multiple reviewers
- Some passages get bogged down in financial minutiae
- Dated material in older books like "Texas Rich"
- Several readers noted factual errors in "Lost Tycoon"
Ratings across platforms:
Amazon: "Texas Rich" - 3.8/5 (42 reviews)
"Lost Tycoon" - 3.5/5 (156 reviews)
Goodreads: "Texas Rich" - 3.7/5 (89 ratings)
"Lost Tycoon" - 3.4/5 (243 ratings)
One Amazon reviewer called "Texas Rich" "meticulously researched but needs an editor," while another praised its "unprecedented access to the Hunt family archives."
📚 Books by Harry Hurt III
Texas Rich: The Hunt Dynasty from the Early Oil Days through the Silver Crash
A biographical account of H.L. Hunt and his family's rise in the Texas oil industry and their subsequent financial challenges.
For All Mankind: The Life and Career of Manned Space Missions A detailed history of NASA's manned space program from Mercury through Apollo, based on interviews with astronauts and mission control personnel.
Upstart: Friends, Foes and Founding a Better Silicon Valley An examination of Silicon Valley's development through the story of various technology entrepreneurs and companies.
Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump A biographical investigation of Donald Trump's business dealings and personal life through the early 1990s.
The Strategic Defense Initiative: What Does It Mean? An analysis of President Reagan's proposed missile defense system and its technological and political implications.
Brotherhood in the Sky: Pilot's Passion for Flight A study of commercial and military pilots' experiences and perspectives on aviation, based on extensive interviews.
For All Mankind: The Life and Career of Manned Space Missions A detailed history of NASA's manned space program from Mercury through Apollo, based on interviews with astronauts and mission control personnel.
Upstart: Friends, Foes and Founding a Better Silicon Valley An examination of Silicon Valley's development through the story of various technology entrepreneurs and companies.
Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J. Trump A biographical investigation of Donald Trump's business dealings and personal life through the early 1990s.
The Strategic Defense Initiative: What Does It Mean? An analysis of President Reagan's proposed missile defense system and its technological and political implications.
Brotherhood in the Sky: Pilot's Passion for Flight A study of commercial and military pilots' experiences and perspectives on aviation, based on extensive interviews.
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Kurt Eichenwald specializes in corporate scandal investigations and white-collar crime narratives. His books trace complex business fraud cases through detailed reporting and court documents.
Ken Auletta focuses on media industry power brokers and business titans through access-driven reporting. His work examines corporate culture and leadership through direct observation and extensive interviews.
Bryan Burrough chronicles historical business dramas and corporate battles with emphasis on Texas oil and Wall Street. His research methodology combines archival documents with first-person accounts from key players.
William D. Cohan writes about Wall Street culture and financial institutions based on his experience as a former banker. His books analyze major deals and corporate collapses through primary sources and insider perspectives.