Customer Reviews

The Fourth Estate

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I should mention first of all that this is the only Archer novel I have read and I am not exactly a bookworm in any case. The best part of this book was the development of both the main characters from young kids, right through school in Australia for one and the school of hard knocks in wartime Europe for the other.

Archer goes on to tell a tale of suspense, industrial espionage and ruthless business activities in the pursuit of power, with many twists and turns along the way. It all works superbly, to a point. What really spoiled it for me was reading a review prior to finishing the book and finding out who the two main characters were based on. From that point on what should have been the final twist was predictable all the way, since it actually happened in real life in the 80s.

Archer's writing and fiction are superb, but the worst parts of the book, for me, came when he mixed fact with fiction by bringing real life events and politicians into the story.

Overall I'm very much impressed with Archer's writing, but if I do choose to read one of his novels in future I will do my best to make sure it is one which does not borrow so heavily from the headlines of fifteen or twenty years earlier.

Wow! This was one of the most exciting novels I have read in a long time. I kept thinking as I was reading it how many of my friends would enjoy it, too. It's a Kane and Abel-type story, the clash of two titans in the newspaper business. What I loved the most about it was all the twists and turns of one-upmanship that each was able to pull on the other! This author's knowledge of the business world, and of human nature is just astounding.

There's no prizes for guessing who the real life characters are,the prize is a thoroughly good read.
Like a few of his books.I read this some years ago,then bought another copy and enjoyed it as much the second
time round.Although you know what the final outcome will be,the road to that conclusion is wonderful. Another reviewer
said he found the two characters so disgusting,he didn't care who won....he misses the point that the characters are so strong
in the book,that you do actually forget you're reading a book......my advice,buy it you'll love it

As always a very good read by Jeffrey Archer. I found it hard to put down and was full of suspense. Would certainly recommend this book.

Reserving judgement a little at present may have to re-read to do this book justice but right now I'm not terribly impressed! I love Jeffrey Archer and my usual experience reading his books is that I can't put them down and am gutted when I come to the end of one, but this one has disappointed me enormously, I've lost track of who is who and exactly what it's about apart from two families who run newspapers doh!

I thought, when I first started reading, that this book was going to be too much like Kane and Abel and I wouldn't enjoy it. But I soon changed my mind because as usual Jeffrey Archer drew me in to the plot. The story line was obviously based on two very well known 'Media Magnates' and I would love to know how true some of the stuff is ! I loved it.

Love Jeffrey Archer and this book is certainly worth revisiting. Arrived ahead of esttimated date and has given many hours of pleasure

I enjoyed the book as I have read the others in the series, I now eagerly await the next volume. Brian

Good, but not as good as some of the later books.Having read all JA's books, I think each one tends to improve

This is a smaller than expected hard back.The print is of a smaller type usually found in hard backs.
I am dissapointed with this purchase