clifford irving(cliffords)

Clifford Irving: An Exploration of One of the Most Notorious Literary Con Men Clifford Irving was a man of many talents. He was a writer, a journalist, a novelist, and a con artist. Born in 1930, he grew up in New York City and attended Cornell University. In the early 1960s, he began his career as a successful writer, publishing several books and articles that garnered critical acclaim. However, Irving's true claim to fame came in 1972, when he wrote what was supposed to be the authorized biography of the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Irving claimed that he had been given exclusive access to Hughes and had spent hundreds of hours interviewing the notoriously private man. He wrote the book, "Howard Hughes: The Untold Story," with the help of his wife, Edith, and submitted it to McGraw-Hill, which agreed to publish it. However, as the publication date approached, doubts began to surface about the authenticity of the book. In January 1972, Hughes himself issued a press release stating that he had not authorized the biography and had never met Irving. This announcement sparked a media frenzy, and the legitimacy of the book was soon called into question. Irving initially denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he had worked with a team of researchers who had impersonated Hughes during interviews. However, under increasing pressure from the media and the public, he eventually confessed that the book was a hoax. Irving was subsequently arrested, charged with fraud, and sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. The scandal destroyed his career as a writer and caused him to become a pariah in the literary community. However, he later wrote a memoir about his experiences, entitled "The Hoax," which was later made into a film starring Richard Gere. Irving's story is one of the most notorious cases of literary fraud in history. Despite this, it is important to remember that he was also a talented writer, capable of creating compelling stories and engaging prose. His personal failings should not detract from his literary achievements. The case of Clifford Irving also raises important questions about the role of the media in perpetuating hoaxes. The media's insatiable appetite for sensational stories often leads to a rush to judgement and a failure to check facts. In the case of Irving, the media played a significant role in perpetuating the hoax by giving credence to his claims without verifying his sources. In conclusion, Clifford Irving may be remembered for his notorious literary hoax, but his story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pitfalls of ego. While he may have succumbed to these flaws, it is important to remember that he was also a talented writer and journalist who made significant contributions to the literary world.