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The Investigation: A Former FBI Agent Uncovers the Truth Behind Howard Hughes, Melvin Dummar, and the Most Contested Will in American History | 
 enlarge | Author: Gary Magnesen
Publisher: Barricade Books
Category: Book
List Price: $23.95
Buy New: $14.18
You Save: $9.77 (41%)
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Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 22674
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 263
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 1569802947
Dewey Decimal Number: 346.73054
EAN: 9781569802946
ASIN: 1569802947
Publication Date: December 25, 2005
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Product Description
His curiosity piqued by an offhand comment by a relative, agent Magnesen launches his provate investigation into the controversial meeting between Howard Hughes and Melvin Dummar and the validityof the handwritten Howard Hughes Will which named Dummar as an heir.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 HRH Fans must read.... August 12, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a fast read, Ive read all the HRH books and this was intresting. I think the author did a fine job. After reading this book I felt that indeed Hughes would have loved the drama that swept the nation, Even in death he is larger then life. The book is a great read and will be surprising....
Time past will allow for a calm review of this book!!! March 17, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Investigation by Gary Magnesen represents the trifecta of historical research. Magnesen has the rare combination of an FBI career, Nevada residency and a degree in psychology as implements to harvest the truth in regards to the "Mormon Will."
Fragmented by time and lore, the tale of the unlikely Samaritan, Melvin Dummar is cast in the bright white light of a logical and linear review by a skeptic armed with nothing more than his background and compelling logic as arrows in an intellectual quiver.
I followed the suspicion and misgivings associated with the tale of Melvin Dummar associated with the holographic Will penned by the late Aviator, Industrialist and enigma, Howard Hughes. Shadowing Magnesen's process and logic was eased by his descriptive narration of personal doubts and the path required to find a logical end. He was not on a quest, nor does he seem influenced by the story which ultimately led to his involvement. If anything, he was drawn by the mounting inconsistencies and unfinished stories by those directly effected by Mr. Dummar's tale.
I was fascinated by the process which he undertook in this unlikely task to add clarity to a foggy footnote from the past (1976). The mind numbing research of court and county records, with the juxtaposition of interviews including citizens from towns whose glory days have long since passed into modern history added an element of humor, without diminishing the value of those who still reside there.
Each chapter was a building block which reinforced the tale told by Melvin Dummar as more than plausible. In fact, I was totally convinced he was telling the truth.
The teaser associated with this story is the revelations of a pilot employed by Hughes in the sixties. Although his contribution to the book is barely represented by two dozen pages; his story contained the most unanswered questions or inconsistencies of the 263 pages representing Dummar's tale. The following observations are not a condemnation of the man, simply a set of examples which Magnesen held me rapt throughout the story!
1.When Deiro flew into the unpaved, unlighted airport at night, the previous pages referenced a truck illuminating the approach end of the runway. Yet on the night in question the truck was at the far end (in the pilot's eyes) of the runway. Any landing upon a gravel surfaced, unlighted airport at night would be a large risk at best and possibly illegal, at worst.
2.It is written on page 102, "The fact that Daniels (geologist) was having a beer or two in the morning tells us something about him." Yet the pilot (Deiro) having too many Johnny Walker's and needing to take a nap is not questioned in regard to his credibility. Drinking within eight hours prior to a commercial flight is illegal!
3.Upon the pilots return to Las Vegas, since nobody asked; he didn't bother reporting his loss of the passenger he departed with seven hours earlier.
The preceding examples are a reflection of my intrigue and justification for a media (website) to communicate with this author.
This book is at a minimum, a `can't put it down read' combined with intrigue, injustice and surviving principals!
 confusing but convincing September 5, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Magnesen is probably a great detective and FBI agent, but he gets a C grade for organization and writing. The book was difficult to follow; as were the characters. One thing that would have helped immensely would have been to put a list of key players and their job/title descriptions at the end so we could refer to the list when the people would be mentioned in later chapters. However, his purpose in writing was not intended as great literature, but to convince readers that Dummar is not a kook. And, he did succeed in doing that because I did put the book down feeling like the "Mormon Will" could be real. Magnesen discovers some very convincing evidence that did not come out in the trial or was not pursued.
If you are intrigued by Howard Hughes, add this book to your list.
A MUST READ! July 19, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It took a the span of 24 hours to read this book. Every second I was not working or taking care of a 10 month-old baby I was hiding in a corner with my nose stuck in this book. The author starts as a skeptic, but through brillant research and persistence he uncovers the truth of this long-awaited fiasco. His years of FBI experience really shines through his journey to the untold story. Highly Recomended!
Intriguing and Informative February 3, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I came away from this story convinced that justice was not served in the case of the Howard Hughes will. Mr. Magnesen's investigation of this mystery clearly demonstrates why he enjoyed a long and successful career as an FBI agent.
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