Andrew Neil

This is the story of Andrew Neil's ten years as managing editor of The Sunday Times under the ownership of Rupert Murdoch. In contrast to The Sun, where he dictated editorial policy, Murdoch was mostly hands off with The Sunday Times which left Neil to go his own way. Of course, his way was right of centre and sympathetic to the economic policies of the Thatcher government, though not always on their side in other matters. Neil is from a working-class background and, like Murdoch, has no show more love for the British establishment.

Neil opts for dealing with events in separate chapters rather than a straight chronological approach. He covers the ERM debacle, the move to Wapping and trouble with the print unions, Spycatcher, Royal troubles and other big scoops. There's an interesting chapter about Murdoch: 'At the Court of the Sun King'. Neil mostly got along with his boss but recognized his flaws.

For me, Andrew Neil is the shrewdest political commentator in Britain and I love watching him interview politicians. They can't bullshit him because he knows so much. This book was entertaining, informative and even nostalgic for it was written some time ago. A good read for anyone interested in British journalism and politics. show less