How do you decide what is a 'story' and what isn't? What does a newspaper editor actually do all day? How do hacks get their scoops? How do the TV stations choose their news bulletins? How do you pursuade people to say those awful, embarassing things? Who earns what? How do journalists manage to look in the shaving mirror after the way they sometimes behave? The purpose of this insider's account is to provide an answer to all these questions and more. Andrew Marr's brilliant book will act as a guide to those of us who read newspapers, or who listen to and watch news bulletins but want to know more about the process behind the scenes. Andrew Marr will tell the story of modern journalism through his own. He will explain how journalists get stories and write columns, examine the styles and power of the great editors, contrast broadcast and written journalism, ask unpleasant questions about the compromises and corruption of the trade, and talk to most of the major players today. This will be an extremely readable and utterly unique modern social history of British journalism, with all its odd glamour, smashed hopes and future possibility.
My Trade: A Short History of British Journalism
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Book Description
How do you decide what is a 'story' and what isn't? What does a newspaper editor actually do all day? How do hacks get their scoops? How do the TV stations choose their news bulletins? How do you persuade people to say those awful, embarassing things? Who earns what? How do journalists manage to look in the mirror after the way they sometimes behave? The purpose of this insider's account is to provide an answer to all these questions and more. Andrew Marr's brilliant, and brilliantly funny, book is a guide to those of us who read newspapers, or who listen to and watch news bulletins but want to know more. Andrew Marr tells the story of modern journalism through his own experience. This is an extremely readable and utterly unique modern social history of British journalism, with all its odd glamour, smashed hopes and future possibility.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Andrew Marr was born in Glasgow. He graduated from Cambridge University and has enjoyed a long career in political journalism, working for the Scotsman, the Independent, the Economist, the Express, and the Observer before being appointed as the BBC's political editor in May 2000. Andrew's broadcasting includes series on contemporary thinkers for BBC 2 and Radio 4, and political documentaries for Channel 4 and BBC Panorama. He was named Columnist of the Year in the What The Papers Say awards of 1995 and Columnist of the Year in the British Press Awards of the same year. He was named Journalist of the Year in the Creative Freedom Awards 2000 and received the Journalist Award in the Channel 4 Political Awards of 2001. Andrew was named as the best individual contributor on television at the Voice Of The Listener And Viewer's Awards 2002.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
92 of 93 people found the following review helpful
By J. Whitworth
Format:Hardcover
Andrew Marr has achieved something that is oddly rare - he has written an entertaining history of journalism. I say "oddly rare" because you would think that journalists - people who write for a living - would write interesting books about their trade. The truth is that they can be weighed down with endless stories involving names that no one has heard of and another opportunity gets missed. Marr's book is very refreshing - he is certainly not above self-criticism and most importantly, the book does what all the best books of its kind do - it imparts a lot of information without you realising it.
The book is funny, informative, opinionated and most of all a fine read (which is more than can be said for some of our national press these days).
Buy it.
The book is funny, informative, opinionated and most of all a fine read (which is more than can be said for some of our national press these days).
Buy it.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a detailed, informed, sceptical and sometimes very funny account of British journalism, from its 17th century origins to the present day. Marr, who is the BBC's political correspondent and used to edit The Independent, has had a varied journalistic career and, in carefully planned chapters, offers excellent insights into such questions as what editors do, the underlying truths and untruths of political journalism, the way papers and our perceptions of news have changed down the years, the personalities of journalists, the roles of columnists and specialist correspondents, broadcast news and its politics and spirit, plus much more. Along the way we meet a range of memorable characters from Daniel Defoe to Kelvin MacKenzie of The Sun, and from Rupert Murdoch to the Dimbleby clan. Marr sheds some really valuable light on the nature of British media, and this feels above all like a truthful account as well as a detailed and enjoyable one. This book is indispensable for journalists and would-be journalists, and for anyone interested in the news and how it gets made.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Tony Jackson
Format:Hardcover
If you are a journalist, a wannabe journalist or just interested in current affairs then this book will make a fascinating read for you. It can be dipped into , although I have read it cover to cover, to find remarkable insights into the "fourth estate" past and present.
And he doesn't limit himself just to facts - conclusions and judgements about his own trade are made very honestly. And his (sometimes hilarious) anecdotes about what happens behind the scenes make compelling reading.
I find Marr (the BBC's Political Editor) intriguing and he is one of the few people on television who is consistently worth listening to . He clearly has an amazing network and knowledge which lead to a very high standard of journalism. He has kept that up with this tome.
And he doesn't limit himself just to facts - conclusions and judgements about his own trade are made very honestly. And his (sometimes hilarious) anecdotes about what happens behind the scenes make compelling reading.
I find Marr (the BBC's Political Editor) intriguing and he is one of the few people on television who is consistently worth listening to . He clearly has an amazing network and knowledge which lead to a very high standard of journalism. He has kept that up with this tome.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dizzying read!
Crammed with info and delivered at speed in typical Marr style. Always interesting and with great insight honed over years of experience and obviously good research and knowledge... Read more
Published 1 month ago by marionq
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Perfect Writer's skill for Speaking.
Note this is a review of the AUDIO BOOK VERSION.
Andrew Marr quotes the old joke 'He has a perfect face for .... Radio'. Read more
Andrew Marr quotes the old joke 'He has a perfect face for .... Radio'. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Mr. Glenn Cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
An enjoyable, iteresting history
Although scholarly in approach, research and historical accuracy, it is not scholarly in tone; it is an enjoyable, relatively undemanding read but full of fascinating insights into... Read more
Published 21 months ago by RR Waller
5.0 out of 5 stars
The ultimate insider's guide
With my trade, Marr has created a book that sheds light on all the secrets of the trade that journalists ply. Read more
Published 24 months ago by TheCountofMonteCristo
3.0 out of 5 stars
Colloquial Style Needs Visual/Auditory Medium.
Although very interesting, at times fascinating, in itself, this book was ruined for me by the regular, although not all-pervasive, use of the colloquial style that Marr uses to... Read more
Published on 7 Jan 2011 by V Heilbuth-Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars
MARRvelous
Even a bigger fan after reading this wonderful explanation of the fascinating business of journalism. A must read for those both in and out of the "trade".
Published on 5 April 2010 by A. Murray
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly rated service.
A fine condition book at a dirt-cheap price speedily delivered, and with a friendly Customer Service. I do not expect better - ever.
Published on 30 May 2009 by Antony R. Macer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Behind the scenes look at journalism
The work of journalists, perhaps moreso than that of other professions, is often viewed in a stereotypical light. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2005
4.0 out of 5 stars
a great book on journalism and politics
Although this books begins almost as a conventional history of journalism and newspapers - as good as that is - it soon moves on to a much more intersting mix of personal story and... Read more
Published on 7 Nov 2005 by "raster250"
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Informative
I rate Andrew Marr very highly as a journalist and was sorry when he stepped down as the BBC's Policitcal Correspondant. Read more
Published on 3 Sep 2005 by Paul Johnson
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