Trial
Autor: Clifford Irving
Englisch
5.00 CHF
ISBN: 0671216550
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**Bücher Trial** (often published in the US as **What Really Happened**) by Clifford Irving, with ISBN 0671216550, is a non-fiction account written by Irving himself, detailing one of the most notorious literary hoaxes of the 20th century.

The book is Clifford Irving's audacious, first-person narrative of his scheme to publish a fraudulent "authorized autobiography" of the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. The title, "Bücher Trial," which translates to "Book Trial" or "Books Trial" from German, references the legal repercussions and the media circus that ensued after the hoax was exposed.

Here's what the book describes:

1. **The Conception of the Hoax:** Irving recounts how he and his co-conspirator, Richard Suskind, meticulously fabricated a story about his supposed secret meetings with Howard Hughes, crafting a convincing narrative, complete with fake letters and documents.
2. **The Deception:** He details the elaborate measures taken to fool his publishers (McGraw-Hill) and Life magazine, convincing them of the authenticity of the "autobiography" and securing a massive advance. This involved complicated money transfers, code names, and a clever manipulation of the reclusive nature of Hughes himself.
3. **The Unraveling:** The book vividly describes the growing suspicion, the intense FBI investigation, and the dramatic moment when Howard Hughes, in a rare public telephone conference, denounced Irving, leading to the collapse of the entire scheme.
4. **The Legal Battle:** Irving recounts his subsequent arrest, the ensuing legal proceedings (the "Trial" of the title), and the ultimate convictions for fraud and conspiracy, involving himself, Suskind, and Irving's then-wife, Edith, who famously opened bank accounts under the alias "H.R. Hughes" to receive the advance money.

Irving's account is known for its blend of audacious humor, self-justification, and a meticulous, almost thrilling, recounting of the pressures and intricacies of maintaining such a colossal lie. It offers a unique insider's perspective on a scandal that captivated the world, raising questions about truth, deception, and the allure of the enigmatic Howard Hughes. It remains a fascinating read for anyone interested in true crime, publishing scandals, and the psychology of a brilliant co