You get to see into the mind of a tabloid editor .
Disadvantages:
You may not like what you see .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Piers Morgan was promoted to Editor of the News of the World in 1994, after working for the owner in a relatively junior capacity. While there he was headhunted by the Daily Mirror, and as he preferred to be the editor of a daily, was pleased.
He kept notes of his ten years as editor of both papers, and after he was sacked from the Daily Mirror job, wrote this book. He thanks his ex-employers for giving him the time to write about his experiences.
I would most recommend this book to people who read tabloid papers, so that they can find out what motivates the journalists, and also to would be journalists, so that that can learn some of the tricks of the trade.
I haven't read any individual paper regularly recently, as I prefer the internet and television sources of news, because they are capable of being kept more up to date. I have looked at a variety of papers that friends have bought though, ranging from The Sun to The Times.
Having read the work of a wide variety of journalists, I found this book at times enlightening, and at times irritating, but I was fascinated enough by it to keep reading, as most of the time I found it great entertainment.
Celebrities, who use the press, should expect the press to use them back, so these sorts of stories were the ones I enjoyed the most. I thought it great that Morgan got a taste of his own medicine when it was alleged that he was having an affair with Paul Gascoigne's girlfriend. Morgan says it wasn't true, and I think it would have been very silly of him to have an affair with the girlfriend of a potentially violent and very volatile man. I chuckled all the way through this story, though.
There is very little of Morgan's private life in the book, but you do get odd glimpses of it.
After Morgan had children of his own, he claims to have more of a conscience towards potential stories involving children, but most of the time he seems to keep any conscience he may have about upsetting people well hidden. He does try to stay the right side of the law, and his employers though, for practical reasons.
It was upsetting too many people that got him the sack, but if he hadn't been willing to take calculated risks in letting stories and photos go to print, then he may well have got the sack for not producing a paper that people wanted to buy in enough numbers. This begs the question do we get the press we deserve? I had better not elaborate on that here, as that question deserves a whole review to itself, but this book would provide some of the evidence needed for a debate of that subject.
Morgan compares the editor of a tabloid's job to that of a fighter pilot, "Trying to kill the opposition and avoid being killed yourself. Eventually, the chances are you're going to crash and burn. But what a ride while it lasts!"
Lessons for potential journalists include, what to do when you find out that a celebrity wants to make their opinions public against the advice of their chief press officer. One logical answer is, of course, have the press officer watched to find out when they go on holiday, and then approach the celebrity. If this cause of action works, and the press officer feels they should then resign as their advice has been ignored, all the better, as it might make it easier to get quotes from that celebrity in the future.
The book should also be appreciated by anyone interested in modern British history and sociology.
We learn about the ways in which the Labour Party got used to The Mirror being kind to them while they were in opposition, but The Mirror felt their readers didn't want them to be lenient with them any more when they were running the country.
A lot of politicians feature in the book from all parties, but the most prominent character is Blair, who deliberately meets with Morgan a lot. The royals, show business, sports and business celebrities also get his attention as well.
There is A Cast of Characters at the back of the book, with short descriptions of them in their most recognisable role.
The relationships between the papers, was also interesting to me, whether these rivalries were between the same owner's papers or not.
What should an editor do if he thinks a rival has a great scope? Also what should he do if he thinks someone is trying to spoil his exclusive? Read the book and you will find out Morgan's likely answers.
I have deliberatively tried not to give too much away in this review, because I don't want to spoil the enjoyment of any potential readers of these memoirs.
It is written in an easy to read style, and I don't see it winning any literary prizes, but for those wanting something extra to this, try reading between the lines. I am giving it five stars because I found it extremely entertaining.
I think both those who just want a quick read, and those who want some food for thought could enjoy it.
I found the diary style made it easy for me to read as much as I had time for in one sitting. I kept it handy so that even if I only had five minutes to spare I could continue enjoying it. I also read big chucks at more convenient times.
If you don't mind lining the pockets of a sacked journalist, who I think comes over as opinionated and smug but funny, and you like the sound of what you have heard so far, go and buy the book for yourself, or as a stocking filler for someone who might lend it to you. You could even really splash out and buy more than one.
Morgan hopes that, "You laugh a lot as you read my story." I hope you do too.
I have the paperback edition, which Amazon are currently selling for £3.99. (The list price is 7.99). There is also a hardback edition.
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