First published 2002
William S. Paley stands at the helm of CBS, wielding power that extends far beyond broadcasting into the glittering world of New York high society. With his stunning wife Babe at his side, he commands both boardrooms and ballrooms with equal skill. Smith traces Paley's journey from modest origins to media titan, revealing a man who operates as dealmaker and image craftsman in equal measure. The narrative follows his relentless pursuit of influence and pleasure, showing how he built an entertainment colossus while indulging his appetites without restraint. Yet power proves fragile. As CBS begins its descent and Paley's control weakens, the very empire he constructed threatens to crumble. Smith exposes the calculating mind behind the public charm, documenting how ambition and excess shaped both triumph and downfall. This portrait captures a figure who embodied the ruthless glamour of corporate America at its peak.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, business, american, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: rise-and-fall, ruthless-ambition
Setting: CBS, New York
Period: 20th Century
664 pages · Paperback · Random House Publishing Group