In search of Keith Murdoch.

'An impressive study of the Murdoch genius for government by media.' Chris Masters. '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 Following the News of the World phone - hacking scandal, Rupert Murdoch said his greatest regret was that he had let his father down. Popular history views Sir Keith Murdoch (1885 - 1952) as a fearless war correspondent, author of a brave, censor - evading letter that led to the evacuation of the Anzac force from Gallipoli; and a principled journalist and dedicated family man who left a single provincial newspaper to Rupert on his death. This benign reputation is unsurprising: the two previously published biographies of Keith were Murdoch family commissions. But is there another side to the story of Keith's success and the origins of News Corporation? Before Rupert is an unflinching prequel to the saga of the Murdoch family's rise to power. Historian Tom Roberts draws on an unparalleled range of interviews, correspondence and archival sources to trace the genesis of the family's involvement with the newspaper industry and their influence. Before Rupert explores how Keith Murdoch ruthlessly navigated a network of connections and exploited the hidden intersection of press and power to gain ultimate control over Australia's media and political landscapes. With controversial revelations - of secret engagements, World War I propaganda operations, and the sensationalising of a schoolgirl's murder leading to the execution of an innocent man - this book shows how, by Rupert's birth, a pattern for the cut - throat exercise of power through an expanding media chain had been set, a course that is still followed to this day.

Rupert Murdoch's extraordinary career has no parallel. His control of Fox news, which so successfully supports the Trump presidency, is a key force in American politics. In the UK, his control of The Sun and The Times leaves politicians scrambling to get him onside. But what do we know about the man himself? This book looks closely at the Murdochs, focusing on Rupert's father Keith, who built the family's media power and cultivated the anti-establishment instincts that his son Rupert is known for. Roberts traces the life of the Murdochs, how Rupert Murdoch's view of the world was formed, and assesses it's impact on the media that influences our politics today.

The vivid, charged and emotional letter that changed the course of the Gallipoli campaign.

Almost 80 years ago, Keith Murdoch gave his young bride a wedding present that would be of very special significance throughout the intervening years, a small grazing property on the outskirts of Melbourne. They called it Cruden Farm, and it was here that their family grew up and the garden evolved. A born gardener, with a practical "hands-on" approach, an eye for beauty, and a passion for trees and flowers, Dame Elisabeth called it her "Garden of a Lifetime".Edna Walling's late 1920s plans for the circular lawn, walled gardens and world-renowned sweeping avenue of lemon-scented eucalypts were implemented in the 1930s when some of the majestic trees, like the huge oaks and elms that form the structure of the garden, were planted. Dame Elisabeth then created the silver and white borders extending from the house and later, assisted by Michael Morrison, developed the "Cottage Garden", the "Garden for Homeless Plants", and the spectacular floral "Picking Garden".This beautifully colour-illustrated book traces the history of the garden's creation and guides the reader around its spectacular features, while entries for the months of the year give practical hints on upkeep.This commemorative edition includes a foreword by Dame Elisabeth's daughter Janet Calvert-Jones and granddaughter Penny Fowler.

Rupert Murdoch is one of the most powerful men in the world today. As chief executive of News Corporation, he controls a global media empire which boasts some of the major players in newspapers, television, publishing and the movie business. In the English-speaking world, and increasingly in 'untapped' but potentially lucrative markets such as China, he wields an influence as political kingmaker second to none. How did he do it? How did this empire, a loose 'archipelago' of media islands large and small, come to be so successful and influential? Building on many years' research and featuring many previously undisclosed revelations, THE MURDOCH ARCHIPELAGO is the most definitive survey yet of Murdoch's life and times; how power flows from influence; and whether this should (or if it can) be regulated.

Crikey owner and ex-News Corp and Fairfax editor lifts the lid on the abuse of power by media moguls – from William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk – and on his own unique experience of working for (and being sued by) the Murdochs. What’s gone wrong with our media? The answer: its owners. From William Randolph Hearst to Elon Musk, from the British press barons to colonial upstarts Conrad Black and Rupert Murdoch, media proprietors have manipulated the news to accumulate wealth and influence as they meddled with democracy. Eric Beecher knows the news business from bottom to top. He has been a journalist, editor and media proprietor (of Text Media and Crikey), with the rare distinction of having both worked for and been sued (unsuccessfully) by the Murdochs. This book reveals the distorted role of the media moguls of the past two centuries: their techniques, strategies, behind-closed-doors machinations, and indulgent lifestyles. It explains how they have exploited the shield of the freedom of the press to undermine journalism – and truth. In an era of fake news, AI and misinformation, this is democracy’s chillingly important story: how a small coterie of flawed and narcissistic moguls created a shadow of power that has contributed to making the media an agent of mistrust.

Vicki Fairfax's account of the struggle to build an Arts Centre for all Victorians located in the heart of Melbourne makes for very exciting reading. Set against problems ranging from identifying and securing a site to seeing it completed and in operating mode many years later, the story provides insights into the generosity, creativity and vision of the many people involved. This book, with its hundreds of historic photos, plans and drawings will interest arts academics and architectural enthusiasts alike.

It was Rupert Murdoch who invented the modern media empire. Now his reach includes two thirds of the Earth's population. In this revised and updated edition, William Shawcross brings Murdoch's story up to date. "Of all the biographies on Murdoch, this is the most comprehensive and balanced and comes closest to explaining a bundle of contradictions".--Edwin Diamond, "New York" magazine. photos.