Airhead

The Imperfect Art of Making News

By: Emily Maitlis

Narrated by: Emily Maitlis

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Airhead, written and read by Emily Maitlis.

As anchor for the BBC's key political news programme, Newsnight, Emily Maitlis has interviewed some of the most powerful and controversial figures on the political scene. She plans each interview meticulously, knowing what she wants to ask and where she wants it to go, but as one of the most experienced journalists in her field she knows that no interview will ever go to plan. Anything can throw it - from the atmosphere in the room to her own feelings at the time to the mood of the subject. Often she leaves the interview with an entirely different perception of the interviewee, while sometimes it is all too sadly reconfirmed.

Airhead explores just these moments. All we normally see are the interviews, but what were the conversations that preceded them or the shouting matches that ended them? From her interviews with US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and the last five British Prime Ministers, to Hollywood film directors and powerful internet and entertainment moguls like Sheryl Sandberg and Simon Cowell, Emily Maitlis explores how these powerful personalities came across. In the process she throws an illuminating torch on them, not just for what they represent but as individuals in their own right - with all their flaws and charms.

©2019 Emily Maitlis (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Amazing. Absolutely amazing

Emily Maitlis sounds just brilliant. Her honesty, her genuine passion for journalism and her talent for story telling is at full display. Fun read with bits of comedy weaved into story telling of major headlines and political figures. I want a hard copy of this one.

Amazing book

Brilliantly written, brilliantly narrated by an amazing journalist & broadcaster with an amazing voice. It can only be Emily Maitlis. Captivating from start to finish.

Emily Maitlis is a joy

Absolutely entertaining look at what goes on before, during, and after some of the biggest TV interview gets. Emily’s honesty and humor strike the tone for a fascinating look at her career as a journalist. The interviews are 6+ years old, and the world keeps on moving. Still, the interviewees and topics are very much within recent memory. Most interesting for me is her always asking herself if she’d got it right–often difficult within the constraints of time, place, and personality. This book would make a great gift.

Fascinating inside stories..

Enjoyable candid reflections on interviews with the famous and infamous. Perhaps a second volume in a few years?

Excellent audiobook

I found this book incredibly interesting and informative. It is well written and the performance is just as good.

Fabulous

The stories, people, insights, writing and how wonderful Emily is. Excellent book that's fun to read.