MP3 Audio Sample
Short Synopsis
A "smoldering indictment" of the corrupt influences that rescued Ronald Reagan's career, made him millions, and shaped his presidency (Library Journal). Contains mature themes.
Full Synopsis
Founded in 1924, the Music Corporation of America got its start booking acts into speakeasies run by such notorious Chicago mobsters as Al Capone. How then, in only a few decades, did MCA become the driving force behind music publishing, radio, recording artists, Hollywood, and the burgeoning television industry? Enter Ronald Reagan.
By the late 1950s, Reagan was a passé movie actor. As president of the Screen Actors Guild, he was also MCA's key client. With Reagan's help, MCA would become the most powerful entertainment conglomerate in the world. And with MCA's help, Reagan would secure a fortune (resulting in a federal grand jury hearing), be marketed to the public as a viable politician, and ascend to the presidency of the United States. But according to reporter Dan E. Moldea, there had always been another catalyst behind MCA: Ties to organized crime that reached back to the company's inception—and through Reagan's Teamster-backed candidacy—had never been severed.
From the author of The Hoffa Wars, this is an epic and serpentine investigation into the insidious links among Hollywood, the Mob, and politics.
Contains mature themes.
Author Dan E. Moldea
Narrated by Lee Goettl
Publication date Aug 31, 2023
Running time 13 hrs 25 min
Available Formats
audio download