Free Republic

Arthur Hailey, author of "Airport," "Hotel" and other novels that became hit movies, has died, his wife said Thursday. He was 84. Hailey, who plucked characters from ordinary life and threw them into extraordinary ordeals, died in his sleep Wednesday at his home in Lyford Cay on New Providence island, his wife Sheila said. She said doctors believe he had a stroke. "It is obviously a shock to wake up to, but it was peaceful," she said. "Arthur was a very humble man, but was delighted with the letters he used to get from readers praising his books. He was...