Power, Privilege and the Post

by Carol Felsenthal

The author of Alice Roosevelt Longworth chronicles the life of the owner of The Washington Post, discussing her abused childhood, her inheriting of the paper, her reputation among employees, and more. 35,000 first printing. $15,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, Politics

511 pages, Hardcover

First published February 16, 1993

Reviews

[Abby Reddig Moser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just one of several books that I am reading on this particular era in journalism. I am doing extensive research on the press in DC during 1950s/60s... even though the paper press is past it's heyday, we are still getting other media spin. When I study how much really goes on behind the scenes with the politicians and the press, even though I knew it growing up with a PR father, it makes me cringe... to say the least. Also..money has and always will drive every train.
Power, Privilige,and the Post is a good portion of the Katharine Graham story. It was well researched but does not answer some very important questions as to how manipulated we are, politically by the media. It is not the medias fault, it is our faults, we take it for truth and don't ask the right questions.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched. Felsenthal did a lot of interviews for this book, rather than relying on articles and books which tend to be a bit overly laudatory. The book comes across as being very balanced; appreciative yet showing Kay's worse side as well.

[Fran Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katherine Graham was the daughter of Eugene Meyer, who headed the Federal Reserve Board and other important posts, who bought the "Washington Post" in 1933. Supposedly her mother Agnes Meyer saw him running his fingers down the dust in the staircase, and told him , it was time to buy the "Post", as he obviously had nothing better to do. Her mother was friends of the famous but ignored and belittled her children. Her daughter Kay married the brilliant but many flawed Phil Graham who ran the "Post" for his father-in-law and continued to belittle Kay. She was very much in the background until Phil killed himself in 1963 and Kay was forced to take over the running of the newspaper. She has been called the most powerful woman in the world, especially when she decided to print the Pentagon Papers. The story of a timid married woman who became one of the best known newspaper owners and who rubbed elbows with the rich and famous is an interesting story.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

More a biography of the Washington Post than of Katharine Graham, but an interesting contrast to Graham’s autobiography. Probably more than most people would want to know about the business and the revolving door of executives under Graham’s tenure. Full of juicy details to liven up the narrative.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography is an essential read for any woman who is looking for an example to follow, not only of a lady, but of a daughter, wife, mother, and business woman. Katherine Graham did not set out to take over the Post. In fact, her leadership and journalism skills developed over time, and circumstances dictated that she take on the heavy mantle of a then male role in the newsroom. She bore that mantle seemingly without effort, or at least without belying the burden. This biography took me by surprise and is one of the only one (other than one about the Bronte sisters) that I keep on my shelves.

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

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