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The Chief
- The Life of Lord Northcliffe Britain's Greatest Press Baron
- Narrated by: Gareth Armstrong
- Length: 16 hrs and 42 mins
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The Chief
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Summary
A definitive and compelling biography of Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe (1865-1922), the greatest press magnate in history, the genius who invented modern popular journalism, and against whom all the other great newspaper proprietors must be measured.
By the time of his tragically early death at 57 in August 1922, Northcliffe had founded the Daily Mail and Daily Mirror, and had also owned The Times and the Observer. At one point, he owned two-thirds of all the titles on Fleet Street. He laid down the essential features of British popular journalism that we see now.
He was a tough and uncompromising businessman, but in The Chief, Andrew Roberts puts his ruthlessness and wilfulness in the overall context of a life of visionary business skill, journalistic brilliance, distinguished wartime public service and heartfelt patriotism. From a modest background, growing up on the outskirts of Dublin, by 27, he presided over a magazine empire with the largest circulation in the world. He wanted his readers to know that he was on their side, which they instinctively did. He was proud of his populist approach, saw the importance of appealing to both sexes in his pages, and allowed his editors leeway so long as they understood and followed his vision. The formula he created for the Daily Mail is still world-beating to this day.
Based on exclusive access to the Harmsworth family archive, The Chief is a compelling and essential portrait of a man who changed the way we learn about the news, and whose influence still resonates today.
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Critic reviews
"Superb...his pages fizz with character and colour." (Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times)
"Scholarly and very readable." (Andrew Lycett, Spectator)
"Energetic and hugely entertaining." (A.N.Wilson, TLS)
What listeners say about The Chief
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- DJP OKeeffe
- 17-11-23
A name salvaged
And a reputation largely and plausibly restored. One of the giants of his period, who has suffered more than most from both neglect and distorted testimony. Northcliffe's world is gone, and he can only be recognised and judged in that world - which is convincingly brought to life by the author.
The book is also extremely well read by the narrator.
I thank them both,
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alec Sharples
- 12-10-22
A must read for all Daily Mail readers
A wonderfully researched book that details the man behind the facade. Warts and all.
Andrew Roberts provides a commendably balanced view of Northcliffe and allows readers to form their own opinion without having it forced upon them.
As a lifelong Daily Mail reader, this was a hugely enjoyable book and widened my understanding of human nature and what sets such great men apart.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Antoine Vanner
- 08-01-23
A superb biography
l found "The Chief" enthralling from first page to last,. It not only provides a biography of Northcliffe but a picture of his times, of the development of the popular press in Britain - and its empire - and the role that he. and it. played in the years before, after and during WW1. Northcliffe was a complex, indeed contradictory, character but it is caught here in what may be in future the definitive biography. The hundred years since his death adds to the virtues of perspective and balance. It is beautifully read. hIn summary: Very highly recommended.
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