Author Talk: The Successor

The first major biography of Lachlan Murdoch, one of the world’s most powerful and enigmatic people - an epic saga of ruthless power plays and family battles.

As heir apparent to his father’s global media empire, Lachlan Murdoch is one of the world’s most powerful people. Yet despite a life in the spotlight, Lachlan’s personality, politics and business acumen remain enigmatic. Is he a risk-loving adventurer or dutiful son? Ultra-conservative ideologue or thoughtful libertarian? Scarred by a series of spectacular business failures, or an underrated leader who has shrewdly repositioned his family’s assets? And will the third generation of Murdoch moguls prove the last?

In this riveting biography, acclaimed journalist Paddy Manning explores Lachlan Murdoch’s upbringing, political beliefs and role as head of Fox Corporation - the man ultimately responsible for Fox News.

This is a book about the good, the bad and the ugly of the global media, and about America in the age of Trump and Biden. It is a book about power, apprenticeship, politics and succession.

During more than twenty years in journalism, Paddy Manning has worked for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian, and has won several awards for journalistic excellence. He is the author of six books, including the bestselling Malcolm Turnbull biography Born to Rule? and Body Count, which won the 2021 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for non-fiction.