Airhead

Description

FEATURING EMILY MAITLIS’ GROUNDBREAKING INTERVIEW WITH PRINCE ANDREW
The news has never been more prominent – but are we getting the full story? Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis gives us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest news stories and interviews of recent years
‘Smart, funny and brilliantly told’ Elizabeth Day
‘Revelatory, riveting and frequently hilarious’ James O’Brien
‘Absolutely irresistible’ Jeremy Vine
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In this no holds barred account of life in the seconds before, during and after going on air, Newsnight presenter, leading journalist, and queen of the side eye Emily Maitlis gives us the insider info on what we don’t get to see on-screen.
Giving us the inside scoop on her interviews with everyone from Emma Thompson to Russell Brand, and Donald Trump to Tony Blair, as well as covering news stories such as President Clinton’s affairs, Boris Johnson’s race to PM, Grenfell, #MeToo, and that interview with Prince Andrew.
Airhead is a brilliant exposé of the moments that never make the news.
From News Presenter of the Year and 2020 BAFTA nominee ________
‘Funny and subtly smart’ GUARDIAN, BOOKS OF THE YEAR DAILY MAIL BOOKS OF THE YEAR ‘Deliciously funny . . . Irresistible’ The Times ‘[Emily] is so absolutely of the moment’ Evening Standard Anyone who has spent this election campaign shouting at the TV needs a copy of Emily Maitlis’s Airhead in their Christmas stocking. It’s funny and subtly smart, taking the reader behind the camera—Guardian, Best Politics Books of 2019Maitlis has written a deliciously funny book about the high-wire act of broadcasting and the madness that surrounds it. Lots of famous presenters have written books but Maitlis’ is different . . . Irresistible. She sounds great company . . . Her book’s a romp—The TimesMaitlis paints a vivid picture of the intensity and unpredictability that come with her assignments, which punctures the perceived glamour of life reporting the news . . . Her writing is excellent: precise, economical and accessible—GuardianShe is a superb writer, used to throwing together pacy, engaging scripts at a second’s notice. Each chapter is dedicated to one of her interviews – it is a sort of greatest-hits compilation—The Sunday Times[Emily] is so absolutely of the moment, a quasi-memoir could not be better timed. Airhead is a compilation of her greatest hits. And boy are there many . . . narrated in her snappy, chatty style . . . her asides are acerbic, her observations hilarious —Evening StandardShe recounts the interviews of her career, from the great, the good and the questionable, offering insights into the questions that illuminated their characters and the ones they dodged. A chapter on being the target of a stalker reveals her more vulnerable side in this compelling book—ObserverAirhead is, like its author, funny, wise, self-deprecating and insightful—You MagazineSmart, funny and brilliantly told stories about what goes on behind the scenes of television news. A joy—Elizabeth DayRevelatory, riveting and frequently hilarious. A joy from beginning to end—James O’BrienA remarkable journey through the jungle of newsmaking. It combines razor-sharp analysis with compelling narrative drive and wit. A must-read—
A wonderfully sane book for our unhinged times—Simon SchamaEmily has a style that would make you enjoy her report on the end of the world. Absolutely irresistible—Jeremy VineThe irony of this riveting, enlightening and sometimes painfully honest book is that you couldn’t meet less of an airhead than Emily Maitlis – a bold, fearless journalist, a splendidly probing and well-prepared interlocutor, and a warm, sharp and witty woman at the top of her game on and off camera. I’m just very disappointed there’s only one chapter about me—Piers MorganA light and easy read but a thought-provoking one—The TimesAn irreverent and amusing account of her media career—The Times, 100 Best Books for SummerSmart and Broadcast News-funny, Airhead is peppered with insider anecdotes you could only pick up working on the kind of big news stories that the journalist has covered for decades—Daily TelegraphNot an autobiography but a serious book about journalism, disguised in anecdotal chapters about her encounters with the great and the good and the rather awful . . . leads the reader towards a deeper understanding of an essential part of our culture: current affairs . . . this is a book that engages at every level—Daily MailA deliciously funny behind-the-scenes take on broadcasting and her encounters with politicians and celebrities—iFascinating . . . [an] excellent book—Mail on SundayA behind-the-scenes look at how news gets made—ObserverA fascinating and brilliantly evocative ringside seat at some of the most notable interviews she’s done—Radio TimesBehind-the-scenes accounts of her famous encounters, including those with Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and the Dalai Lama, among many others—Daily Mail Books of the YearShe lifts the veil on the inner workings of the BBC, as she reflects on her long career as a journalist—Radio TimesShe offers insights into everyone from Donald Trump to Simon Cowell, showing them not just as what they represent, but as individuals with flaws and charm—The Press and JournalOne of the best we’ve read this year . . . This insightful, hilarious and engrossing memoir from one of our most well-liked TV broadcasters takes you behind the scenes of the biggest news stories in recent years—SheerLuxe, 15 Best Beach Reads of 2019Recounts, one guest per chapter, a number of her interviews with the boldest of boldface figures . . . Entertaining—Strong WordsA quick, absorbing read . . . my overriding impression is of rather breathless thoughtfulness . . . her formidable intelligence and self-deprecating awareness shine brightly—Times Higher EducationWe love the Maitlis—StylistWe’re obsessed with Emily Maitlis in this house—
Emily Maitlis is a particular hero of mine . . . I know I’m in for a treat with Airhead—Gaby Huddart, Editor-in-chief, Good HousekeepingEmily Maitlis is one of my favourite interviewers and I want to read her tales of interviewing people such as Donald Trump, Theresa May and Simon Cowell—Catriona Shearer, Sunday MailA fascinating behind-the-scenes insight into modern television news—Time & Leisure MagazineIt’s a brilliant, often funny, behind-the-scenes account of her working life, written by one of Britain’s best television broadcasters. It proves she’s far from an airhead!—John CravenShe gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most engaging interviews she’s conducted in recent years – with all the wrangling, arguing, pleading and last-minute script writing they involved. Insightful, funny and engrossing, we love it.—SheerLuxe Emily Maitlis presents the BBC Flagship nightly current affairs show Newsnight and specialises in election coverage in the UK and the USA. The Canadian born Sheffield raised British television presenter and journalist began her career in Hong Kong. She lives in London with one husband, two boys, and a large whippet. GB

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