Description
‘a sensational book’ Andrew Marr
‘it was a surprise and a delight, one of the best family memoirs I have read - honest, funny, sharp, well-written but never bitter - although a person other than Marista would have had plenty to be bitter about.’ Elizabeth Grice, Daily Telegraph
‘Great men have feet of clay. The contradictions of Reith's life do not diminish his contribution to the world, but force us to recognise that there is always a cost to great achievement. This is a revealing read about a real person, not the fantasy saint he has sometimes been painted to be.’
Rt Rev. Nick Baines, Bishop of Croydon
'Enthralling and enlightening. 10/10.' The Second World War Magazine
'Reith's long shadow sometimes seems impenetrable. This casts some welcome new light on him.' James Naughtie
John Reith is the father of our media age. He was also the father of Marista, whose compelling account of the great heights and desperate depths of being in Reith’s life unfolds in this unique biography.
For the first time, we see into the personal story of this man, whose legendary contribution to British culture was based on Christian values. His immense talents enabled him to found the BBC, setting standards to which worldwide broadcasting still aspires.
Reith contributed to many key events of his time, and we see why he is assured of a permanent place in history. But the personal qualities that made him exceptional on the world stage were just as intense in their private infliction of damage on himself and his family.
Towering at 6'6" tall, Reith was an easy target for a sniper at the Front during the First World War. The scar on his cheek, from the wound that almost killed him, heightened his commanding appearance. His immense gifts of oratory and organisation – and his great reserves of energy – stamped their mark on the fledgling BBC. From an office little bigger than a broom cupboard, an institution was formed whose standards to this day have the respect of the world.
Reith's compelling story also includes a perilous journey with his young family across the Atlantic, a stormy relationship with Winston Churchill, the abdication of a king and much more besides.
Explosive story of life with the volcanic father of our media age.