Young Rupert: the making of the Murdoch empire

22-year-old Rupert Murdoch arrived in Adelaide, South Australia in 1953 to fulfill his father's dying wish of living a 'useful, altruistic, and full life in the media. He was left with the Adelaide-based News Ltd and its afternoon paper, The News, but soon faced opposition from the left-wing 'Boy Publisher' and a conservative establishment. Led by his friend Rohan Rivett, the fledgling Murdoch press began a seven-year campaign of circulation wars, expansion, and courtroom battles that divided the city and laid the foundations for a global empire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Scribe Publications

In September 1953, at the age of 22, Rupert Murdoch arrived in Adelaide, South Australia, with a radical reputation and a mission to fulfill his father's dying wish. Sir Keith Murdoch, a giant of the Australian press, had spent his final years battling rivals and would-be successors, leaving his son with the Adelaide-based News Ltd and its afternoon paper, The News. However, even this inheritance was soon under threat as the left-wing "Boy Publisher" challenged his father's old colleagues at The Advertiser, a conservative establishment held in power by a decades-old gerrymander.

Led by Rupert's friend and editor-in-chief, Rohan Rivett, the fledgling Murdoch press embarked on a seven-year campaign of circulation wars, expansion, and courtroom battles that divided the city and laid the foundations for a global empire. The book, Young Rupert: Pieces Together a Paper Trail of Succession, Sedition, and Power, uncovers a fascinating time capsule of Australian media on the cusp of an extraordinary ascension, drawing on unpublished archival material and new reportage.

Rupert Murdoch's arrival in Adelaide marked the beginning of a remarkable journey that would see him build one of the most influential media empires in the world. His determination, vision, and willingness to take risks propelled him from a small-town newspaper publisher to a global media mogul. The book explores the early years of Murdoch's career, including his battles with his father's old colleagues, his expansion into other media outlets, and his controversial political involvement.

Through his story, Young Rupert sheds light on the power of the media to shape public opinion, influence politics, and shape the world. It also highlights the challenges and controversies that come with such immense power, including the ethical dilemmas and controversies that have plagued Murdoch's career.

In conclusion, Young Rupert is a captivating and insightful book that provides a detailed account of the early years of Rupert Murdoch's career and the foundations of his global media empire. It is a must-read for anyone interested in media, politics, and the power of the press to shape society.

Weight: 440g
Dimension: 153 x 234 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915590503