Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Paddy Manning, Black Inc., $34.99.
“With the Murdoch media empire teetering on the edge of dynastic succession,
Paddy Manning’s compelling biography reveals how the prodigal son managed to overcome intense sibling rivalry and a mixed corporate report card to emerge as
Rupert’s most likely heir.” — Professor Bridget Griffen-Foley
This is an unauthorised, though absorbing, biography of Lachlan Murdoch, one of the world’s most powerful and enigmatic people, an heir-apparent to his father’s global media empire.
Acclaimed journalist Paddy Manning explores Lachlan’s upbringing, political beliefs and role as head of Fox Corporation — the man ultimately responsible for Fox News.
It is a book about power, succession, apprenticeship and politics. It’s about the good, the bad and the ugly of the global media, and about America in the age of Trump and Biden.
Manning has done some meticulous research to deliver an epic saga of ruthless power plays, revolts, errors, victories, family battles and intrigue.
As CEO of Fox Corporation, Lachlan divided his adult life between living in the US and Australia. Both his parents had grown up in Australia, it’s where he met his wife Sarah and founded his own successful private investment firm after falling out with his father and turning his back on a career at News Corp in 2005. Then a decade later, at Rupert Murdoch’s express request, Lachlan returned to an executive role in the family business.
“At work, he was a ruthless five-star general in the culture wars, overseeing the Fox News juggernaut, pumping ‘America First’ and driving earnings growth in the family business. At home, he was a laid-back Australian and all-round smooth operator: spectacularly rich, impeccably mannered, handsome, open-minded, adventurous, savvy, fun.”
“Lachlan’s move to Sydney also spoke of a fundamental ambivalence: he had never wanted to be CEO of the family business, or, if it came down to it, the CEO of anything. Whatever happened to either company, the bulk of Lachlan’s fortune lay elsewhere….”
The succession battle is far from over, but it’s only a matter of time before it is “behind him and he could do as he liked.”
