Ticking Clock

Behind the Scenes at 60 Minutes

By: Ira Rosen

Narrated by: Ira Rosen, L. J. Ganser

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

This program includes a prologue read by the author.

Two-time Peabody Award-winning writer and producer Ira Rosen reveals the intimate, untold stories of his decades at America’s most iconic news show. It’s a 60 Minutes story on 60 Minutes itself.

When producer Ira Rosen walked into the 60 Minutes offices in June 1980, he knew he was about to enter television history. His career catapulted him to the heights of TV journalism, breaking some of the most important stories in TV news. But behind the scenes was a war room of clashing producers, anchors, and the most formidable 60 Minutes figure: legendary correspondent Mike Wallace. 

Based on decades of access and experience, Ira Rosen takes listeners behind closed doors to offer an incisive look at the show that invented TV investigative journalism. With surprising humor, charm, and an eye for colorful detail, Rosen delivers an authoritative account of the unforgettable personalities that battled for prestige, credit, and the desire to scoop everyone else in the game. As Mike Wallace’s top producer, Rosen reveals the interview secrets that made Wallace’s work legendary and the flaring temper that made him infamous. Later, as senior producer of ABC News Primetime Live and 20/20, Rosen exposes the competitive environment among famous colleagues like Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, and the power plays between correspondents Chris Wallace, Anderson Cooper, and Chris Cuomo. 

A master class in how TV news is made, Rosen shows listeners how 60 Minutes puts together a story when sources are explosive, unreliable, and even dangerous. From unearthing shocking revelations from inside the Trump White House, to an outrageous proposition from Ghislaine Maxwell, to interviewing gangsters Joe Bonanno and John Gotti Jr., Ira Rosen was behind the scenes of 60 Minutes' most sensational stories. 

Highly entertaining, dishy, and unforgettable, Ticking Clock is a never-before-told account of the most successful news show in American history. 

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Press 

©2021 Ira Rosen (P)2021 Macmillan Audio

Fantastic

Such a well-written memoir, with just enough inside information added in. I enjoyed every minute of this book, probably one of the best reads I've had in a long time.

Expected

I do not think much of those in media, and this confirms my suspicion. It confirmed many of the people discussed in this book.

Mike Wallace sounded like an insufferable prick

I’ll never watch the show the same again!! Do I like the show yes. But to treat people like this is down right wrong. I loved the John Gotti jr stuff Ed Bradley stories, also to know ira Rosen came out of this unmediated!

Mind Blowing

This is my first review.. power packed truly a book for all keeps you interested

such an amazing gem.

this is amazing. I honestly ran into this book accidentally and I loved every single minute of the story and probably the best book that I have read all year. I have no clue about journalism or broadcast television and this book is an amazing testament to the work that goes behind the scenes and the stories that happened between the scenes.

Fiction or Nonfiction

I had no idea behind every good correspondent was a good producer.
Really enjoyed the behind the 60 mins view by Mr.Rosen.
As far as Ghislain Maxwell inviting you to come in to her town house thats Bull Shit.
She has more class then any woman you have ever been near.
Amazing you think sharing such crape was relevant to your story.
I like the "Don" buddy story what class to have a mobster at my retirement dinner.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

The book was more informative than I expected.
In addition it was entertaining with some laugh out loud moments.