by James B. Stewart (Author)
Addicted to Succession? Well, here's the real thing. - The Hollywood Reporter“Jaw-dropping . . . an epic tale of toxic wealth and greed populated by connivers and manipulators.” —The New York Times Book Review, Editors ChoiceThe shocking inside story of the struggle for power and control at Paramount Global, the multibillion-dollar entertainment empire controlled by the Redstone family, and the dysfunction, misconduct, and deceit that threatened the future of the company, from the Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists who first broke the newsIn 2016, the fate of Paramount Global—the multibillion-dollar entertainment empire that includes Paramount, CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, and Simon & Schuster—hung precariously in the balance. Its founder and head, ninety-three-year-old Sumner M. Redstone, was facing a very public lawsuit brought by a former romantic companion, Manuela Herzer—a lawsuit that placed Sumners deteriorating health and questionable judgment under a harsh light.As one of the last in a long line of all-powerful media moguls, Sumner had been a relentlessly demanding boss, and an even more demanding father. When his daughter, Shari, took control of her fathers business, she faced the hostility of boards and management who for years had heard Sumner disparage her. Les Moonves, the popular CEO of CBS, felt particularly threatened and schemed with his allies on the board to strip Shari of power. But while he publicly battled Shari, news began to leak that Moonves had been involved in multiple instances of sexual misconduct, and he began working behind the scenes to try to make the stories disappear.Unscripted is an explosive and unvarnished look at the usually secret inner workings of two public companies, their boards of directors, and a wealthy, dysfunctional family in the throes of seismic changes, from the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams. Through the microcosm of Paramount, whose once victorious business model of cable fees and ticket sales is crumbling under the assault of technological advances, and whose workplace is undergoing radical change in the wake of #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, and a distaste for the old guard, Stewart and Abrams lay bare the battle for power at any price—and the carnage that ensued.
In the realm of media empires and family legacies, "Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy" by James B. Stewart stands as a captivating narrative. It delves into the extraordinary tale of the Redstone family, owners of media giants such as CBS, Viacom, and Paramount Pictures, and the extraordinary saga of their battle for control over the family's fortune and media dynasty.
With meticulous research and captivating storytelling, James B. Stewart masterfully weaves together the intricate details of the Redstone family's history, business dealings, and personal relationships. He paints a vivid picture of Sumner Redstone, the patriarch of the family and a larger-than-life figure in the media industry, known for his ambitious nature and ruthless tactics.
The book explores the fierce rivalry between Sumner Redstone's daughter, Shari Redstone, and National Amusements, the family holding company that controls CBS and Viacom. Stewart unravels the intense legal battles, corporate power struggles, and personal betrayals that characterized this epic contest for control.
As the story unfolds, "Unscripted" provides a fascinating look into the inner workings of the media industry and the profound influence it wields in shaping public opinion and entertainment. Stewart deftly connects the Redstone family's personal drama with the broader context of media consolidation and the ever-changing landscape of the digital age.
With gripping prose and in-depth analysis, James B. Stewart delivers an extraordinary work that illuminates the extraordinary rise and fall of a media empire and the complex dynamics of a family torn apart by ambition, greed, and the quest for power. "Unscripted" is a must-read for anyone interested in business history, family dramas, and the profound impact of media on our world.
