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Inside Rupert's Brain
How the world's most powerful media mogul really thinks The third book in Portfolio's new series looks at Rupert Murdoch, the controversial chairman and CEO of News Corp. He is the subject of endless gossip, speculation, and criticism, but what really drives his bold (and usually successful) gambles? Based on comments from News Corp. executives and competitors, and interviews with Wall Street analysts, investors, and other media experts, Paul La Monica's book explores some of the most fascinating questions about Murdoch. For did he grow a small Australian newspaper company into a global media empire?Why did he challenge the TV establishment with the Fox Network and Fox News Channel—for profits or for deeper reasons?Did his obsession with The Wall Street Journal lead him to overpay for Dow Jones?How has he dealt with detractors and enemies, including Ted Turner and John Malone?Was he smart to acquire MySpace to launch his Internet strategy?Why does he still work so hard at age 77 with a net worth of $8.8 billion and nothing to prove?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
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19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 14, 2017
As far a biographies go, this book is short and to the point.
I think what all the readers are reacting to with the removal of 1 or more stars is the factual nature relative to the book. This book will only appeal to you if you feel that the facts of the what transpired give you a sense for the decisions that were made.
This book will not appeal to you if you are looking for insight into how people assess a set of potential options and then make a decision strategically for their company. I mean literally, you get ONLY the facts. It's actually quite horrible in that regard. All of the thinking, emotional, where did that idea come from, how was he thinking about the vision of what the organization could be, what did that asset give him is completely and entirely removed.
Example: The depiction of the purchase of the WSJ goes approximately like this...He bought Dow Jones. Then he wanted to buy the Journal. He had been asked why he hadn't done it earlier. People wondered why he didn't do it earlier. Then he decided to unsolicited. When he did it Leslie Hill didn't like it and she resigned right away. The concern was that the quality of the news would go the way of Fox.
If that isn't the absolute driest possible depiction of two major personality types with hugely strategic business minds, I don't know what is. I mean...at least do a little creative depiction about why, what the Journal meant strategically, what his plans to position Newscorp for the future, for how it would fit with the larger organization, etc. Even the research briefs from the Investment banks has more of this type of thing than the chapter presented.....SOOOOO Dry...
HOWEVER... if you are researching, you may appreciate this sticking to the facts and only the facts approach, this might be your book. It's personal taste, so for the vast amount of research that must have been involved, 3 stars.
I think what all the readers are reacting to with the removal of 1 or more stars is the factual nature relative to the book. This book will only appeal to you if you feel that the facts of the what transpired give you a sense for the decisions that were made.
This book will not appeal to you if you are looking for insight into how people assess a set of potential options and then make a decision strategically for their company. I mean literally, you get ONLY the facts. It's actually quite horrible in that regard. All of the thinking, emotional, where did that idea come from, how was he thinking about the vision of what the organization could be, what did that asset give him is completely and entirely removed.
Example: The depiction of the purchase of the WSJ goes approximately like this...He bought Dow Jones. Then he wanted to buy the Journal. He had been asked why he hadn't done it earlier. People wondered why he didn't do it earlier. Then he decided to unsolicited. When he did it Leslie Hill didn't like it and she resigned right away. The concern was that the quality of the news would go the way of Fox.
If that isn't the absolute driest possible depiction of two major personality types with hugely strategic business minds, I don't know what is. I mean...at least do a little creative depiction about why, what the Journal meant strategically, what his plans to position Newscorp for the future, for how it would fit with the larger organization, etc. Even the research briefs from the Investment banks has more of this type of thing than the chapter presented.....SOOOOO Dry...
HOWEVER... if you are researching, you may appreciate this sticking to the facts and only the facts approach, this might be your book. It's personal taste, so for the vast amount of research that must have been involved, 3 stars.
June 19, 2023
just facts about rupert murdoch aquiring assets also the sun newspaper has on page 3 a nude like even to this day wthe
July 17, 2012
Loy Machedo’s Book Review – Inside Rupert’s Brain by Paul R. La Monica
I have always had a fascination to know and get into the minds, thoughts and hearts of the great legends of our times. So when my eyes bumped across a book that had the title “What’s Inside Rupert’s Brain?”, you can guess as much that I would purchase it.
The book clearly states that it is not a book written or authorized by Rupert Murdoch rather it is a book ‘about’ him – written by a careful & competent eyes of the Editor of CNNMoney.com.
So – the good, not so good and overall verdict.
The Good
A brief outline into the business life of Rupert Murdoch. Covers the speculations, the gossips, the rumors, the neutral praise and the criticisms of a man who was never shy to ensure he hurt his critics and never too modesty to be humble about his successes.
The book brings forth a very detailed yet detached outlook into the ways how a man can think, especially when he is faced with a logical decision (choosing between family member versus outsider to succeed him) to taking on an emotional decision (to get rid of a old business that has his life invested in, in order to move ahead), to making tough choices of giving up his citizenships or even to supporting the Chinese just to ensure his ambitions and relieved of their brakes.
I also found it good not to be too informed about his childhood and his past, which may not be very relevant to his position now.
The Not So Good
The book is clearly over-priced, incomplete and leaves you feeling empty.
At times too much information or detail was given about his financial decisions which left you dreary and disinterested.
The title can be misleading as it is not what goes on ‘Inside Rupert’s Brain’ rather the authors assumption of how he perceives what Rupert thinks. So this makes it more as a newspaper reporter take on the information he got his hands on.
Overall Verdict
A book that is way over-priced and leaves you feeling totally dissatisfied and lost. The research is pretty intense & there are brief moments where you do find yourself drawn into the book but overall, the book lacks the essence which a reader may seek out of book that is titled ‘Inside Rupert’s Brain’. My honest suggestion – Buy it if you get it under 10$.
Overall Rating
4 out of 10
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
I have always had a fascination to know and get into the minds, thoughts and hearts of the great legends of our times. So when my eyes bumped across a book that had the title “What’s Inside Rupert’s Brain?”, you can guess as much that I would purchase it.
The book clearly states that it is not a book written or authorized by Rupert Murdoch rather it is a book ‘about’ him – written by a careful & competent eyes of the Editor of CNNMoney.com.
So – the good, not so good and overall verdict.
The Good
A brief outline into the business life of Rupert Murdoch. Covers the speculations, the gossips, the rumors, the neutral praise and the criticisms of a man who was never shy to ensure he hurt his critics and never too modesty to be humble about his successes.
The book brings forth a very detailed yet detached outlook into the ways how a man can think, especially when he is faced with a logical decision (choosing between family member versus outsider to succeed him) to taking on an emotional decision (to get rid of a old business that has his life invested in, in order to move ahead), to making tough choices of giving up his citizenships or even to supporting the Chinese just to ensure his ambitions and relieved of their brakes.
I also found it good not to be too informed about his childhood and his past, which may not be very relevant to his position now.
The Not So Good
The book is clearly over-priced, incomplete and leaves you feeling empty.
At times too much information or detail was given about his financial decisions which left you dreary and disinterested.
The title can be misleading as it is not what goes on ‘Inside Rupert’s Brain’ rather the authors assumption of how he perceives what Rupert thinks. So this makes it more as a newspaper reporter take on the information he got his hands on.
Overall Verdict
A book that is way over-priced and leaves you feeling totally dissatisfied and lost. The research is pretty intense & there are brief moments where you do find yourself drawn into the book but overall, the book lacks the essence which a reader may seek out of book that is titled ‘Inside Rupert’s Brain’. My honest suggestion – Buy it if you get it under 10$.
Overall Rating
4 out of 10
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
February 20, 2013
A book which focuses on the business side of Rupert Murdoch. The book is mainly based on the business dealings of Rupert Murdoch. The author tries to give the reader an insight into what goes on inside Murdoch's brain by enlisting his business achievements and failures. A good book to get an insight into the media mogul's empire. Have to say that the book is pretty unbiased. After a long time have read a book, a sort of a biography, which doesn't try to hero worship or criticize the protagonist. Simple and easy - business reporting kind of writing which would make the reader zip through the book very quickly.
August 30, 2013
Presente de Fredão no aniversário de 2010, eu acho. Bom conhecer a história de Murdoch. Não sabia da metade...
March 30, 2013
A must-read biograpy on leadership for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.
January 20, 2016
Fast and compelling look at the building of a media empire. Hope it ends better than Redstone's story.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews