A tale about big business, an imploding dynasty, a mogul at war, and a deal that epitomized an era of change
While working at the Wall Street Journal, Sarah Ellison won praise for covering the $5 billion acquisition that transformed the pride of Dow Jones and the estimable but eccentric Bancroft family into the jewel of Rupert Murdoch's kingdom. Here she expands that story, using her knowledge of the paper and its people to go deep inside the landmark transaction, as no outsider has or can, and also far beyond it, into the rocky transition when Murdoch's crew tussled with old Journal hands and geared up for battle with the New York Times. With access to all the players, Ellison moves from newsrooms to estates and shows Murdoch, finally, for who he is—maneuvering, firing, undoing all that the Bancrofts had protected. Her superlative account transforms news of the deal into a timeless chronicle of American life and power.
Ellison’s gripping inside story takes you behind the headlines to reveal the secret deals, family drama, and boardroom battles that decided the fate of a great American newspaper:
- Corporate Power Struggle: Go inside the high-stakes negotiations as Rupert Murdoch wages a relentless campaign to capture the crown jewel of American financial journalism.
- An Imploding Dynasty: Witness the bitter infighting and fractured loyalties of the eccentric Bancroft family as they grapple with the choice between a billion-dollar payout and their century-old legacy.
- The Newsroom vs. The Boardroom: Get an unparalleled insider’s view of the clash between old-guard Journal hands and the new corporate titans fighting for the soul of the paper.
- A Media War in the Making: Understand the strategic endgame as Murdoch’s acquisition sets the stage for a dramatic, head-to-head battle with its ultimate rival: the New York Times.