[ecrea] New book announcement: ‘Before Rupert: Keith Murdoch and the Birth of A Dynasty’, (UQP)

A controversial new book by media historian Dr Tom D C Roberts uncovers
the global story of how Rupert Murdoch’s father embraced the new
information age and set a course for power.

‘Before Rupert: Keith Murdoch and the Birth of A Dynasty’, (UQP)

How do you create a dynasty? What does it cost and who pays the price?
Journalist, war correspondent, husband, father, media magnate, empire
builder the enigmatic figure of Keith Murdoch, Rupert’s father, is
brought to life in this fascinating account, with Roberts debunking the
myths and bringing to light events and connections that, until now, have
remained hidden. ‘Before Rupert’ is a boldly original prequel to the
saga of the Murdoch family’s rise and exercise of power through its media.

Early reviews:

‘… readable and entertaining … [Roberts] sets out to show Keith
Murdoch’s life “warts and all”:, and to debunk some of the carefully
crafted myths that the family has woven around the dynasty’s founder,
and this he achieves admirably.’
Books+Publishing

‘A rare combination of rigorous research and racy read, Roberts’ take on
the Murdoch phenomenon traces Australian and world media history through
the journey of Keith, the journalist who blew the lid on the Gallipoli
campaign, then fought hard and long for conscription. In both, he set
the pattern for government through media, long before Rupert. Murdoch
senior made and broke prime ministers and built a media empire.’
David Cusworth, Weekend West

‘… a fine biography, full of remarkable insights into a central figure
in Australian corporate and political history, a figure hitherto
enveloped in family mythology’
Peter Cochrane, The Conversation

‘… a devastating critique of what was happening behind the scenes …
somehow I doubt if his book will be praised in News Ltd papers. I
recommend everyone to read it carefully, for it is a striking
contribution to our knowledge of the times endured by our immediate
predecessors.’
Michael Cannon, Inside Story

‘… a fantastically readable story … Were there a real interest in
telling our history, Tom D.C. Roberts’ new biography of Keith Murdoch,
father of Rupert, would be first in line for a TV treatment. One would
be pleasantly surprised should that occur, because the book is not
merely a demythologisation of the stories Keith made his fortune on, but
of the man as mythmaker himself.’
The Saturday Paper

‘In this engrossing study Tom Roberts draws on a remarkable range of
sources, many for the first time, to show how Keith Murdoch succeeded in
his ambition.’
Stuart MacIntyre, author of The History Wars

‘The Murdoch genius for government by media, it appears did not begin
with Rupert. Tom Roberts’ impressive and detailed study of Sir Keith
Murdoch additionally gifts us with the shaping of an even more famous son.’
Chris Masters, author of Jonestown and multi-Walkley Award winner

Before Rupert is available internationally through most online retailers
but can also be ordered directly from the publisher:

http://www.uqp.uq.edu.au/book.aspx/1371/Before%20Rupert-%20Keith%20Murdoch%20and%20the%20Birth%20of%20a%20Dynasty



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