Airhead

Anyone who has spent this election campaign shouting at the TV needs a copy of Emily Maitlis’s Airhead in their Christmas stocking. It’s funny and subtly smart, taking the reader behind the camera * Guardian, Best Politics Books of 2019 *
Maitlis has written a deliciously funny book about the high-wire act of broadcasting and the madness that surrounds it. Lots of famous presenters have written books but Maitlis’ is different … Irresistible. She sounds great company … Her book’s a romp * The Times *
Maitlis paints a vivid picture of the intensity and unpredictability that come with her assignments, which punctures the perceived glamour of life reporting the news … Her writing is excellent: precise, economical and accessible * Guardian *
She is a superb writer, used to throwing together pacy, engaging scripts at a second’s notice. Each chapter is dedicated to one of her interviews - it is a sort of greatest-hits compilation * The Sunday Times *
[Emily] is so absolutely of the moment, a quasi-memoir could not be better timed. Airhead is a compilation of her greatest hits. And boy are there many … narrated in her snappy, chatty style … her asides are acerbic, her observations hilarious * Evening Standard *
She recounts the interviews of her career, from the great, the good and the questionable, offering insights into the questions that illuminated their characters and the ones they dodged. A chapter on being the target of a stalker reveals her more vulnerable side in this compelling book * Observer *
Airhead is, like its author, funny, wise, self-deprecating and insightful * You Magazine *
Smart, funny and brilliantly told stories about what goes on behind the scenes of television news. A joy * Elizabeth Day *
Revelatory, riveting and frequently hilarious. A joy from beginning to end * James O’Brien *
A remarkable journey through the jungle of newsmaking. It combines razor-sharp analysis with compelling narrative drive and wit. A must-read

Emily Maitlis is a British journalist and news presenter. She notably presented the BBC Flagship nightly current affairs show Newsnight where she specialised in election coverage in the UK and the USA. She now hosts The News Agents, the Global daily news podcast, with Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall. She is the author of Airhead- The Imperfect Art of Making News, and lives in London with one husband, two sons, and a large whippet.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.