Description
Book Synopsis: In 1981 the suspended walkways—or “skywalks”—in Kansas City’s Hyatt Regency hotel fell and killed 114 people. It was the deadliest building collapse in the United States until the fall of New York’s Twin Towers on 9/11. In Skywalks R. Eli Paul follows the actions of attorney Robert Gordon, an insider to the bitter litigation that followed. Representing the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against those who designed, built, inspected, owned, and managed the hotel, Gordon was tenacious in uncovering damaging facts. He wanted his findings presented before a jury, where his legal team would assign blame from underlings to corporate higher-ups, while securing a massive judgment in his clients’ favor. But when the case was settled out from under Gordon, he turned to another medium to get the truth out: a quixotic book project that consumed the rest of his life. For a decade the irascible attorney-turned-writer churned through a succession of high-powered literary agents, talented ghost writers, and New York trade publishers. Gordon’s resistance to collaboration and compromise resulted in a controversial but unpublishable manuscript, “House of Cards,” finished long after the public’s interest had waned. His conclusions, still explosive but never receiving their proper attention, laid the blame for the disaster largely at the feet of the hotel’s owner and Kansas City’s most visible and powerful corporation, Hallmark Cards Inc. Gordon gave up his lucrative law practice and lived the rest of his life as a virtual recluse in his mansion in Mission Hills, Kansas. David had fought Goliath, and to his despair, Goliath had won. Gordon died in 2008 without ever seeing his book published or the full truth told. Skywalks is a long-overdue corrective, built on a foundation of untapped historical materials Gordon compiled, as well as his own unpublished writings.
Details
Discover the untold story of one of the most devastating disasters in US history with "Skywalks: Robert Gordon’s Untold Story of Hallmark’s Kansas City Disaster." In this gripping book, R. Eli Paul takes you back to 1981 when the suspended walkways at Kansas City's Hyatt Regency hotel collapsed, leaving 114 people dead. This tragic event shocked the nation and forever changed the way we look at building safety. With meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Paul delves deep into the bitter litigation that followed and the tenacity of attorney Robert Gordon.
Robert Gordon dedicated himself to bringing justice to the victims and their families. Representing the plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit against the various parties involved, Gordon was relentless in his pursuit of the truth. His determination to assign blame, from the underlings to the corporate higher-ups, aimed to secure a massive judgment in his clients' favor. However, when the case was unexpectedly settled, Gordon refused to let the truth be buried. He embarked on a quixotic journey of writing a book that consumed the remaining years of his life.
The story takes a fascinating twist as Gordon encounters numerous challenges in his quest. From collaborating with high-powered literary agents to finding ghostwriters, Gordon's unwavering commitment to his vision hindered the book's publication. Despite its controversial nature, the manuscript, titled "House of Cards," remains explosive, shedding light on the disaster's true culprits. The blame primarily lies with the hotel's owner and Kansas City's influential corporation, Hallmark Cards Inc. Gordon's sacrifice was significant as he abandoned his lucrative law practice and lived the rest of his life as a recluse in his Mission Hills mansion.
Now, "Skywalks" emerges as the long-overdue corrective to the incomplete narrative. This groundbreaking book is built upon Robert Gordon's untapped historical materials and his unpublished writings, finally revealing the full truth. Be captivated by this gripping account and join the fight for justice that Gordon tirelessly pursued. Don't miss your chance to step into the world of "Skywalks: Robert Gordon’s Untold Story of Hallmark’s Kansas City Disaster" and uncover the secrets that were buried for decades.
Ready to uncover the truth and delve into this compelling story? Get your copy of "Skywalks" today!
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