Well-written and expertly researched [the notes at the end really open this part up more], this is quite the book that is pretty shocking [as a movie buff and history lover, I knew quite a bit about some of the exploits talked about here {about "old Hollywood"}, but there were still moments that were new to me and it all my made my blood boil and tears to fall for all the pain so many of these stars endured] and there was a lot about what it took to get the "flickers" off the ground that I had never heard or knew and that stuff was absolutey fascinating as well as educational.

Highly enjoyable and filled with so much information [and so many crazy stories], any movie [and/or history] buff will completely love reading this.

Thank you to NetGalley, Michael Benson, Craig Singer, and Kensington Publishing/Citadel for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a must read for any movie buffs and fans of classic films & old Hollywood.

A really well written and interesting story that was so informative- I learned so much about the history of the entertainment industry.

A very entertaining read.

I'm kind of a sucker for old Hollywood stories, especially gossipy ones, and this book delivers! I'm not saying that this book should be considered gossipy, this is brilliant collection of true information. But you have to admit that speculations about "casting couch" mixed with facts about Marilyn Monroe are the best.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

"Moguls" is a fantastic book with almost 70 years of movie history covered in it. We see two young Russian Jew hustlers working tirelessly to build an empire. Spoiler alert: they succeed. And they create Motion Picture Academy and the Oscars, they create movie theater chains, they create Buster Keaton, they create MGM, they become moguls. And that is not all. One of them bangs starlets, goes to prison for tax fraud AND gets position in not one but two big American banks.

Many years in the making, this book had a hard job connecting and presenting a lot of people to its readers. Sometimes it feels like a big digression, but those "side quests" and stories about people other than Schenck brothers are a great way to explain the surrounding and vibe during the decades of Schencks' reign. I knew a lot of information about Hollywood stars that are mentioned in the book, but it's good to put them in context of entertainment industry that existed before WWII, for example.
If this book gets in your way, digitally or in paper form, that means that algorithms know what you love so be sure to get it. It was compiled with love, that is more than evident, so it deserves the love back.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of the book, and I wish it great and long life on everyone's shelves or e-book readers.

A must-have for the book shelf of any classic film fan, or anyone who loves to look into the complicated history of our entertainment industry. I would love to hear this one in audiobook!

I loved, loved this book! Very well written and informative of two moguls who were part of the founding of Hollywood - The Schenck brothers, Joseph and Nick as well as Marcus Loew who what kind of like a mentor to them Throughout this book, we learn about the Talmadge sisters and their dominating mother, Buster Keaton, Fatty Arbuckle, "the fixers" such as Eddie Mannix, Thelma Todd, Merle Oberon, Louis B. Mayer, Irving Thalberg, George Reeves, and Marilyn Monroe - just to name a few! I am a huge fan of old Hollywood and have read a lot on the subject - but I definitely learned a lot more in this book. Joseph was loyal to his friends and that is an endearing and rare quality in the cut-throat world of Hollywood. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

This was a really interesting book and provided me new information on this era.

I learned more than I expected. It was very well written.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Loved this book. A history of the Schenck brothers, Joseph and Nick, key figures in the growth of Hollywood from the pre - silent era through the nineteen fifties. The book is as much about the history of movies and Hollywood as it is a dual biography of the Schenck brothers.. The book weaves the Schenck brothers through most of the interesting Hollywood stories and scandals of the first half of the twentieth century. Benson writes in an extremely conversational style which is effective—he’s telling you stories - not writing a book. I don’t know how much of this is actually true(there are no citations) and Benson puts the Red Badge of Courage in World War One , but its still fun and much of it has the ring of truth. Entertaining and interesting. Read it.