2013 – The year in industry books
1. Breaking News: Sex, lies and the Murdoch Succession, Paul Barry
Journalist, author and host of Media Watch, Paul Barry knows the facts while being able to deliver a cracking yarn. This page turner takes you through the history of Rupert Murdoch’s publishing empire with every gory detail. A must read for anyone working in the media.
Allen & Unwin, RRP $39.99
2. Kerry Stokes Self-made man, Margaret Simons
Academic Margaret Simons has had a busy year writing and editing books and this little number tells the story of Seven West Media’s Kerry Stokes. Plucked from an orphanage as an infant, Stokes grew up in Melbourne skinning and selling rabbits to make ends meet. Simons tells us how he became a billionaire and the man at the top of one of the country’s largest media empires.
Penguin, RRP $45
3. The Vogue Factor, Kirstie Clements
While The Vogue Factor details all of Clements 25 years at Vogue, the juiciest part is by far her retelling of her untimely axing from the top job during 2012. Also fabulous, Clements’ candid revelations about the current state of the magazine industry once she no longer had to be “on brand”. The title must have done well for Melbourne University Press as her second book from the publisher, Tongue in Chic, is out now.
Melbourne University Press, RRP $29.95
4. Killing Fairfax, Pamela Williams
In a year when the topic de jour for media books was the struggling publisher Fairfax, Pamela Williams’ book was an absolute stand out.
Harper Collins, RRP $29.99
5. Stop Press: the last days of newspapers, Rachel Buchanan
If you ever wondered what goes on inside Fairfax’s outsourced ‘sub hub’ then Rachel Buchanan’s book Stop Press is not to be missed. The Aussie journo tells the story of picking up her life and moving to New Zealand and finding the only work she can get is subbing papers back home for a rate less than sub editors on the other side of the ditch would expect. A sobering look at the state of newspapers from someone on the inside.
Scribe RRP $24.95
6. The Power Book, Rose Herceg
An extension of Crikey’s The Power Index, Rose Herceg’s book shares tips and tales of power. Having worked for the STW Group, you know some of Herceg’s tales are about her former colleagues and trying to figure out who is all part of the fun.
Allen & Unwin RRP $24.99
7. What’s next in journalism? New-media entrepreneurs tell their stories, edited by Margaret Simons
From Wendy Harmer waxing lyrical about founding The Hoopla to Renai LaMay from tech website Delimiter, What’s next in journalism? presents an intriguing and informative series of new-media case studies. Plenty of redundant journalists will be flicking through the pages of this book as they think about striking out on their own.
Scribe, RRP $19.95
This post comes from the Encore & mUmBRELLA Annual available on iPad and iPhone.
Download it from encore.com.au
