The Hoax: Early in 1971, McGraw-Hill passes on Clifford Irvings new novel. Hes desperate for money, so, against the backdrop of Nixons reelection calculations, Irving claims he has Howard Hughess cooperation to write Hughess autobiography. With the help of friend Dick Suskind, Irving does research, lucks into a manuscript written by a long-time Hughes associate, and plays on corporate greed. Hes quick-thinking and outrageously bold. Plus, he banks on Hughess reluctance to enter the public eye. At the same time, hes trying to rebuild his marriage and deflect the allure of his one-time mistress, Nina Van Pallandt. Can he write a good book, take the money, and pull off the hoax?