The Last Mogul: The Unauthorized Biography of Jack Kent Cooke

Now 79, Cook has led a rags-to-riches life, scoring great successes in accumulating wealth but far fewer triumphs with his four wives. Starting in northern Ontario in the depths of the Depression, he began his climb to moneyed prominence by acquiring small radio stations and then moved to Toronto, where he bought the city's largest radio station, two magazines and, later, the Toronto Maple Leafs, a baseball team in the International League, one step below the majors. Relocating to California, he purchased basketball's L.A. Lakers and hockey's L.A. Kings. After acquiring control of pro football's Washington Redskins, Cooke moved to the District of Columbia. Along the way, he gained ownership of Elmendorf, one of the most prestigious horse farms in Kentucky, and the Chrysler building in New York City. Freelance writer Havill chronicles Cooke's public and private lives well and candidly. Photos not seen by PW. (Jan.)