The Insider: The Private Diaries of a Scandalous Decade

(Paperback)

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The Insider dominated the media on publication in March 2005 and instantly became a No. 1 bestseller. Not only did it fill thousands of column inches with its revelations about prominent political and showbiz figures, it was critically acclaimed across the broadsheets for its unique and fascinating insight into the worlds of celebrity, royalty, politics and the media. Piers Morgan was made editor of the News of the World, the UK's biggest-selling Sunday newspaper at the record-breaking age of 28. The decade that followed was one of the most tumultuous in modern times, a period in which we witnessed the self-implosion of the Tories, the rise of New Labour, the Royal Family brought to its knees by scandal and tragedy, horrific news events like Dunblane, September 11, and the war in Iraq - alongside a seemingly endless supply of fantastically entertaining sport and celebrity gossip. In a world of indiscreet dinners, private meetings and gossipy lunches, Piers Morgan found himself in the thick of it. His diaries from this remarkable period reveal astonishing and hilarious encounters with an endless list of celebritles and politicians alike: Diana, William, Charles and Camilla; Tony Blair, Cherie, Gordon Brown; Paul McCartney, George Michael and Elton John; Jeremy Clarkson, Paula Yates and Gazza to name just a few. Entertaining, engaging and compulsive, The Insider has been the most talked-about book of 2005, blowing apart every notion we have about politics, media and celebrity in twenty-first century Britain.

Reviews

A right, rollicking good read -- Andrew Neil * Evening Standard *
A riveting read with splendid anecdotes on almost every page * The Times *
This is a book of historical importance -- Peter Oborne * The Spectator *
A compelling read on any level, whether you want to consider the relationship between politics and the press, royal behaviour, the red-top world - or just want a good laugh * Independent *
Funny and fabulously indiscreet, this is a book that holds up a mirror to the spinning and posturing of our celebrity age ... scurrilously entertaining * Observer *

Author Bio

Piers Morgan was born in 1965. He studied journalism at Harlow College, beginning his career in local south London newspapers before being spotted by Kelvin MacKenzie of The Sun and given his own showbiz column, Bizarre. Rupert Murdoch made him Editor of the News of the World in January 1994; he was headhunted two years later to edit The Mirror where he stayed until 2004 when he left following his decision to publish photos of British soldiers apparently abusing Iraqi prisoners of war. He has presented two series of Tabloid Tales for BBC2 and most recently has co-hosted the current affairs show Morgan and Platell on Channel 4.