Privileged Son: Otis Chandler and the Rise Aand Fall of the L.A. Times Dynasty

by Dennis McDougal

Here is the riveting story of how a second-rate newspaper rose to national greatness, only to become a casualty of war-a civil war within the family that owned it. Told in a hard-edged, investigative style, it spans the American Century, from 1884, when the Chandler family gained control of the just-born daily, through April 2000, when they sold it to the Tribune Company. Above all, Privileged Son chronicles the life of Otis Chandler, the Times' chief architect after 1960, whose flamboyant exploits in and out of the publisher's suite changed the perspective of the newspaper, and Los Angeles, forever.Using scores of insider sources, Dennis McDougal, the best-selling author of The Last Mogul, will surprise readers with his findings, including accounts of political graft and early mob connections among one of L.A.'s most prominent families. The Chandlers, who helped establish the national careers of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and several other major political figures, controlled Los Angeles and the Times Mirror Corporation with a capriciousness that is seldom seen, even in the most dysfunctional media dynasties.Privileged Son is a thoroughly compelling page-burner that will keep readers engaged from its opening paragraphs. But it is also a numbing morality tale that extends far beyond Otis Chandler to highlight the greed that brought down one of America's richest family dynasties and one of its most prominent newspapers.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, American History, Book Club, Journalism

528 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2001

About the author

Dennis McDougal was an American author and newspaper journalist, who has been called "L.A.'s No. 1 muckraker". His book Privileged Son was described as "illuminating reading for anyone interested in 20th-century Los Angeles or modern-day newspapering" by The New York Times. A native of Southern California, he lived near Memphis, Tennessee.

Reviews

[Amar Pai]

I only picked this up cos I thought Otis would be in it! But nah it's his grandpappy or great grandpappy or somethin. I don't know, I flipped through it pretty fast. No mention of a certain literary website!!

Newspapers are so last century. I think the kids get their news through Snapchat and hoverboards now.

I propose we start calling OUR Otis "Otis Jr"

[Ken Kuhlken · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to know anything about Los Angeles, the LA Times, or if you're a fan of the film Chinatown and would like to get facts and opinions about the people who inspired the story, read this one.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing history of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Times. Excellent insights of how newspapers are written and marketed as well as the massive egos involved.

[M]

Who knew Otis was so old? I learned a lot from this book.

[Burt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Privileged Son is a readable book about the Chandler family that owned the Los Angeles Times newspaper during its glory years. For the most part, author McDougal focuses on Otis Chandler who helmed the paper during its peak in the 1960s and 1970s.

Potential readers should be aware that Privileged Son comes with an extra-heavy dose of editorializing from author McDougal. McDougal despises the Chandler family and anyone who doesn’t share his hard-left politics.

So, Privileged Son is entertaining, but I’m lukewarm on it.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great early L.A. history in the beginning, but it gets a little overly dramatic toward the end. Also, it moves pretty slowly through the first 3/4 of the book, but then it's like a race to the finish for the last couple of chapters.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of how Los Angeles was built. I don't want to give away all of the ending, but LA turned into a big city.

[Gungho · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my perspective a bit over-dramatized, and not accurate at times. However well researched and informative. I appreciate the work he put into the book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great history of the LA Times and the Chandler family. A lot of detail- good read for anyone who likes history.

[Beau Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at SoCal's last 130 years.

[Kan · Rating 3 out of 5]

History of the LA Times. Great first half, 2nd half fails to capture same historical background I was enjoying from the first half.

[Jon Evers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book about the LATime newspaper and the history of the city of Los Angeles.

[Jeffschaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only was this a biography of the Chandler Family but really a history of my native city, Los Angeles.

[John McNulty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was skeptical at first that learning. baout the MA times could allow me to learn about lodern LA but the claim is absolitely proved correct in finishing this book.