Includes bibliographical references (p. [248]-259) and index.

This is a tale about big business, an imploding dynasty, a mogul at war, and a deal that sums up an era of change. The main character, rocked by feuding factions and those who would remake it, is the Wall Street Journal, which affects the thoughts, votes, and stocks of two million readers daily. Sarah Ellison, while at the Journal, won praise for covering the $5 billion acquisition that transformed the pride of Dow Jones, and of the estimable but eccentric Bancroft family, into the jewel of Rupert Murdoch's kingdom. Here she expands her work, using her knowledge of the paper and its people to go deep inside the landmark transaction, as no outsider has or can, and also far beyond it. With access to all the players, Ellison moves from newsrooms to estates. She shows Murdoch, finally, for who he is--maneuvering, firing, undoing all that the Bancrofts had protected.--From publisher description.

The fix -- Cousins -- The unraveling -- The newsroom -- Billy -- The chase -- The letter -- The wait -- Personal and confidential -- Not no -- Exploring alternatives -- Family meeting -- Editorial independence -- Decisions -- First day -- Meet Mr. Murdoch -- Interregnum -- Chiefs -- Taking bullets -- Resigned -- Thomson's Journal -- One of us -- Urgent.