The narrative contrasts a public “version” of Gerald Ives—visionary newspaperman and failed politician who abandoned his family—with a private “her version” that tracks Gerald’s lifelong struggle for approval from his father, Lawrence Ives. As a child, Gerald felt perpetually indebted, pushed by tutors, while his younger sister Georgiana “Gigi” Ives enjoyed freedom and affection. Gerald tried to decode why Lawrence withheld kindness from him, once channeling anger into punching a wall; his mother suggested Lawrence’s harshness came from fear, a claim Gerald never believed.

At twenty-five, Lawrence grudgingly gave Gerald control of a single paper, the San Francisco Daily Dispatch, as a trial. Gerald immediately rebranded it with “Where Truth Is King,” overhauled staff, poached top talent from Pulitzer and Hearst, and invested heavily in people and technology. He promoted populist ideals, used emotion to drive truth, acquired rivals—some from his father—and ran them with a vengeful edge, sensing for the first time that Lawrence was finally watching him.

Ambitious beyond California, Gerald moved into New York at the century’s turn but initially failed. He identified Rosalind Goodlett, a senator’s daughter active in charity, as a strategic ally. Rather than court her, Gerald courted Senator Goodlett, arranging a marriage that unlocked New York influence. Rosalind kept her money and pursued philanthropy that generated goodwill benefiting Gerald. Their partnership deepened over time; after three years they consummated the marriage and later had two children, Frederick (Freddy) and Francine.

Gerald attempted to be a better father than Lawrence had been, yet his parents favored the playful, unambitious Freddy, rekindling Gerald’s insecurity. Seeking further validation, Gerald won a California State Senate seat in 1909 and twice sought the presidency, failing both times. When Lawrence fell ill and died in 1919 after days of fevered apologies to unseen figures, Gerald’s grief transformed into violent rage; he destroyed his childhood room, shut out Rosalind, and then fled San Francisco and his family for Hollywood.

In Hollywood, Gerald fell in love with Nina Gill, a striking lounge performer whose power was her voice, ill-suited to silent films. Trying to drown his anger in pleasure—drinking, dancing, and sex—he nevertheless thought of Rosalind when nights grew quiet. After news of his mother’s death ended any thought of returning to San Francisco, Gerald plunged into work, buying Royal Pictures and putting Nina under contract. He used his press to lift her career and began to spend money vengefully, building a coastal fortress estate, hosting decadent parties, and filling his life with spectacle.

Gerald and Nina’s relationship was volatile: they fought publicly but escaped scandal because he owned the gossip rags. He rationalized that keeping stories out of print would protect his family from his rage. The chapter closes with a turn: amid the height of excess and conflict, Nina became ill.