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The insider's story of the biggest controversies to rock the 1980s and early 1990s, this work, by the editor of the "Sunday Times" throughout the 1980s, covers the main political events of this period. The book reveals information about events as varied as the miners' strike and the Thatcher leadership contest, what lay behind the headline "Queen dismayed by uncaring Thatcher", and why, despite being a supporter of much of the Thatcher revolution, the author and the "Sunday Times" were persona non grata at Downing Street. The author also reflects on his life as a bachelor, including comment on both his relationship with Pamella Bordes and his working partnership with Rupert Murdoch.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 18, 2008
Andrew Neill was one of the most powerful newspaper editors in Britain, finally in charge of the prestigious Sunday times. Especially with the international acclaimed Insight Team fully supported by Neill the paper broke and revealed major scandals such as Thalidomide. Not afraid to attack Governments and even the Royal Family he eventually lost out in a bloody battle with the newspaper's then new owner Rupert Murdoch - a battle which nobody has ever won.
Brilliant read for anyone interested in what really goes on behind the scenes of the media world
Brilliant read for anyone interested in what really goes on behind the scenes of the media world
July 6, 2012
Fascinating account of the author's dealings with Rupert Murdoch, founder and head of News Corporation. It covers the years 1983 (when Murdoch appointed Neil editor of The Sunday Times) and ends in 1994 when Neil resigns over Murdoch's vacillation regarding a new news magazine on Murdoch's Fox channel.
October 20, 2019
Just shows you what a grammar school education can do for you.
May 28, 2019
Wonderful read! Sharp thinker and nobody's fool, least of all, politicians.
March 20, 2025
Until three weeks ago, I had never heard of Andrew Neil. Then I read this book.
This is one of those rare books that I can say, without hesitation, I thoroughly enjoyed. Perhaps this is because Neil’s ideas and analysis closely align with my own. Previously, I read the legendary Harry Evans' autobiography and was captivated. But reading about his successor’s years at The Sunday Times thrilled me even more—it was a stark contrast to Evans' more refined style. Neil is hard-hitting, concise, and analytical—never afraid to challenge the establishment.
Many saw him as a radical right-wing Rupert Murdoch man, dragging a once upmarket and liberal broadsheet into a trashy, reactionary backwater. But from 1983 to 1994, Neil revolutionized The Sunday Times, shaping it into a fiercely anti-establishment, center-right, and highly analytical publication with broad appeal. His combative persona only strengthened its position at the heart of major news stories.
Though he appreciated Thatcher and supported her market-driven reforms, Neil was no monetarist. He took a Keynesian approach to macroeconomics, yet at the micro level, he positioned himself even to the right of Thatcher. And whether dealing with Thatcher, Major, or even the Queen, he never let political sympathies interfere with his commitment to quality journalism—ruffling more than a few feathers in the process. At one point, he was more despised in Downing Street than any editor of the left-wing Guardian or Observer.
His flamboyant personal life added another layer to the simmering controversies, including his affair with high-class call girl Pamela Bordes.
A thrilling read and a superb book—highly recommended.
This is one of those rare books that I can say, without hesitation, I thoroughly enjoyed. Perhaps this is because Neil’s ideas and analysis closely align with my own. Previously, I read the legendary Harry Evans' autobiography and was captivated. But reading about his successor’s years at The Sunday Times thrilled me even more—it was a stark contrast to Evans' more refined style. Neil is hard-hitting, concise, and analytical—never afraid to challenge the establishment.
Many saw him as a radical right-wing Rupert Murdoch man, dragging a once upmarket and liberal broadsheet into a trashy, reactionary backwater. But from 1983 to 1994, Neil revolutionized The Sunday Times, shaping it into a fiercely anti-establishment, center-right, and highly analytical publication with broad appeal. His combative persona only strengthened its position at the heart of major news stories.
Though he appreciated Thatcher and supported her market-driven reforms, Neil was no monetarist. He took a Keynesian approach to macroeconomics, yet at the micro level, he positioned himself even to the right of Thatcher. And whether dealing with Thatcher, Major, or even the Queen, he never let political sympathies interfere with his commitment to quality journalism—ruffling more than a few feathers in the process. At one point, he was more despised in Downing Street than any editor of the left-wing Guardian or Observer.
His flamboyant personal life added another layer to the simmering controversies, including his affair with high-class call girl Pamela Bordes.
A thrilling read and a superb book—highly recommended.
January 24, 2025
Andrew Neil is my favourite political journalist. No one is able to so systematically and forensically dismantle senior politicians like Andrew can. His intellect and work ethic shines through every time you hear him speak.
Before his TV career, he was the successful editor of the Sunday Times. It was a period of his career that I didn’t know much about.
The main headline from the book was clearly his complex relationship with Rupert Murdoch. However the section that I most enjoyed was his description of the battles with the members of the print unions. I was aware of the disputes over the move to Wapping. Though I was left gripped by the many twists and turns that Neil describes.
I was also hooked by the chapter where Andrew gives his view of education and meritocracy. It made me think that he would have been a superb politician had he chosen that route.
Before his TV career, he was the successful editor of the Sunday Times. It was a period of his career that I didn’t know much about.
The main headline from the book was clearly his complex relationship with Rupert Murdoch. However the section that I most enjoyed was his description of the battles with the members of the print unions. I was aware of the disputes over the move to Wapping. Though I was left gripped by the many twists and turns that Neil describes.
I was also hooked by the chapter where Andrew gives his view of education and meritocracy. It made me think that he would have been a superb politician had he chosen that route.
October 7, 2021
Interesting read into the Murdoch empire. Slightly much on his girlfriends
May 3, 2017
Really poor book
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews