Airhead cover art

Airhead

The Imperfect Art of Making News

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Airhead

By: Emily Maitlis
Narrated by: Emily Maitlis
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Airhead, written and read by Emily Maitlis.

As anchor for the BBC's key political news programme, Newsnight, Emily Maitlis has interviewed some of the most powerful and controversial figures on the political scene. She plans each interview meticulously, knowing what she wants to ask and where she wants it to go, but as one of the most experienced journalists in her field she knows that no interview will ever go to plan. Anything can throw it - from the atmosphere in the room to her own feelings at the time to the mood of the subject. Often she leaves the interview with an entirely different perception of the interviewee, while sometimes it is all too sadly reconfirmed.

Airhead explores just these moments. All we normally see are the interviews, but what were the conversations that preceded them or the shouting matches that ended them? From her interviews with US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and the last five British Prime Ministers, to Hollywood film directors and powerful internet and entertainment moguls like Sheryl Sandberg and Simon Cowell, Emily Maitlis explores how these powerful personalities came across. In the process she throws an illuminating torch on them, not just for what they represent but as individuals in their own right - with all their flaws and charms.

©2019 Emily Maitlis (P)2019 Penguin Audio
Journalists, Editors & Publishers Politicians Politics & Government Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing

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Fascinating!

In awe of Emily, what an incredibly accomplished women. A thoroughly fascinating read which will explain the story behind some very important stories!

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Wonderful book which gives and insights about reporting

It is in deed a very good book and gives an insights on what goes to create a completing stories . It would have been better if lot more background information is provided and I found that some information can be watched on YouTube. Considering a book is a different platform and a media it would have been better if word to word conversation were avoided . But in deed a very good book and those who aspire to be journalist and good ones must read this

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Intelligent, insightful, classy

Emily strikes a beautiful balance -protraying the oft madness of the journalist life and its significant impact on family life. She doesn't sugar coat her recollections of interviews, reports , tv work, and is likeably self depreciating on reflection, accepting when she got things wrong - although most often right. The Russell Brand chapter is a winner alone !!

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