Listen free for 30 days
-
Airhead
- The Imperfect Art of Making News
- Narrated by: Emily Maitlis
- Length: 7 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Art & Literature
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £23.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
UnPresidented
- Politics, Pandemics and the Race That Trumped All Others
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Our man in America, BBC North America Editor Jon Sopel, presents a diary of an election like we've never quite seen before. Experience life as a White House reporter on the campaign trail, as the election heats up and a global pandemic slowly sweeps in, challenging the very institutions of American politics and the Trump presidency. As American lives are lost at a devastating rate, the election becomes a battle for the very soul of the nation.
-
-
Smashing
- By K. Hanlon on 23-01-21
-
The Palace Papers
- Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil
- By: Tina Brown
- Narrated by: Tina Brown
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Never again', became Queen Elizabeth II's mantra shortly after Diana's death. More specifically, there could never be 'another Diana'—a member of the family whose global popularity upstaged, outshone and posed an existential threat to the British monarchy. Picking up where The Diana Chronicles left off, The Palace Papers reveals how the royal family reinvented itself after the traumatic years when Diana's blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet.
-
-
Nothing new or noteworthy
- By Zara on 03-05-22
-
A Year at the Circus
- Inside Trump's White House
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House, BBC North America Editor Jon Sopel takes you inside Trump’s West Wing and explores the impact this presidency has had on the most iconic of American institutions. Each chapter starts inside a famous Washington room, uncovering its history and its new resonance in the Trump era.
-
-
Great Journalism
- By IAIN KING on 19-10-19
-
If Only They Didn't Speak English
- Notes From Trump's America
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the BBC's North America Editor, Jon Sopel has had a pretty busy time of it lately. In the 18 months it's taken for a reality star to go from laughingstock to leader of the free world, Jon has travelled the length and breadth of the United States, experiencing it from a perspective that most of us could only dream of: he has flown aboard Air Force One, interviewed President Obama and has even been described as 'a beauty' by none other than Donald Trump.
-
-
Brilliant, entertaining and superb
- By Chris Thomas on 21-09-17
-
A Day Like Today
- Memoirs
- By: John Humphrys
- Narrated by: John Humphrys
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Day Like Today charts John’s journey from the poverty of his post-war childhood in Cardiff, leaving school at 15, to the summits of broadcasting. Humphrys was the BBC’s youngest foreign correspondent, the first reporter at the catastrophe of Aberfan, an experience that marked him for ever; he was in the White House when Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign, in South Africa during the dying years of apartheid, and in war zones around the globe throughout his career. John was also the first journalist to present the Nine O’Clock News on television.
-
-
Bloody fantastic
- By London Girl on 07-10-19
-
Devil's Advocate
- The Untold Story
- By: Karan Thapar
- Narrated by: Ashish Sen
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this memoir, narrated in Karan Thapar's trademark incisive style, the author relates different stories from his life, from personal anecdotes about his childhood, college days and marriage to his encounters with various well-known personalities in the course of anchoring his TV shows. Find out about Karan Thapar's friendship in university and later with Benazir Bhutto; his short-lived yet memorable stint as a foreign correspondent with The Times under the tutelage of Charles Douglas-Home; his entry into news television; and more.
-
UnPresidented
- Politics, Pandemics and the Race That Trumped All Others
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Our man in America, BBC North America Editor Jon Sopel, presents a diary of an election like we've never quite seen before. Experience life as a White House reporter on the campaign trail, as the election heats up and a global pandemic slowly sweeps in, challenging the very institutions of American politics and the Trump presidency. As American lives are lost at a devastating rate, the election becomes a battle for the very soul of the nation.
-
-
Smashing
- By K. Hanlon on 23-01-21
-
The Palace Papers
- Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil
- By: Tina Brown
- Narrated by: Tina Brown
- Length: 17 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
'Never again', became Queen Elizabeth II's mantra shortly after Diana's death. More specifically, there could never be 'another Diana'—a member of the family whose global popularity upstaged, outshone and posed an existential threat to the British monarchy. Picking up where The Diana Chronicles left off, The Palace Papers reveals how the royal family reinvented itself after the traumatic years when Diana's blazing celebrity ripped through the House of Windsor like a comet.
-
-
Nothing new or noteworthy
- By Zara on 03-05-22
-
A Year at the Circus
- Inside Trump's White House
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In A Year at the Circus: Inside Trump's White House, BBC North America Editor Jon Sopel takes you inside Trump’s West Wing and explores the impact this presidency has had on the most iconic of American institutions. Each chapter starts inside a famous Washington room, uncovering its history and its new resonance in the Trump era.
-
-
Great Journalism
- By IAIN KING on 19-10-19
-
If Only They Didn't Speak English
- Notes From Trump's America
- By: Jon Sopel
- Narrated by: Jon Sopel
- Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the BBC's North America Editor, Jon Sopel has had a pretty busy time of it lately. In the 18 months it's taken for a reality star to go from laughingstock to leader of the free world, Jon has travelled the length and breadth of the United States, experiencing it from a perspective that most of us could only dream of: he has flown aboard Air Force One, interviewed President Obama and has even been described as 'a beauty' by none other than Donald Trump.
-
-
Brilliant, entertaining and superb
- By Chris Thomas on 21-09-17
-
A Day Like Today
- Memoirs
- By: John Humphrys
- Narrated by: John Humphrys
- Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A Day Like Today charts John’s journey from the poverty of his post-war childhood in Cardiff, leaving school at 15, to the summits of broadcasting. Humphrys was the BBC’s youngest foreign correspondent, the first reporter at the catastrophe of Aberfan, an experience that marked him for ever; he was in the White House when Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign, in South Africa during the dying years of apartheid, and in war zones around the globe throughout his career. John was also the first journalist to present the Nine O’Clock News on television.
-
-
Bloody fantastic
- By London Girl on 07-10-19
-
Devil's Advocate
- The Untold Story
- By: Karan Thapar
- Narrated by: Ashish Sen
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this memoir, narrated in Karan Thapar's trademark incisive style, the author relates different stories from his life, from personal anecdotes about his childhood, college days and marriage to his encounters with various well-known personalities in the course of anchoring his TV shows. Find out about Karan Thapar's friendship in university and later with Benazir Bhutto; his short-lived yet memorable stint as a foreign correspondent with The Times under the tutelage of Charles Douglas-Home; his entry into news television; and more.
-
A Life in Questions
- By: Jeremy Paxman
- Narrated by: Jeremy Paxman
- Length: 11 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The witty, incisive and frank memoir of the best-selling author of The Victorians, Jeremy Paxman, whose career at the BBC included 25 years as the uncompromising presenter of Newsnight. Covering insights on politicians of every stamp over the last half century, reporting from war zones, the state of the BBC, the role of journalism in our political system and much more, Jeremy Paxman's long-awaited and candid memoir is packed with opinions and good humour on every page.
-
-
Paxman on Paxman, what's not to love?
- By Savvyman on 01-11-16
-
Collateral Damage
- Britain, America and Europe in the Age of Trump
- By: Kim Darroch
- Narrated by: Kim Darroch
- Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kim Darroch was British ambassador to the US as the age of Trump dawned and Brexit unfolded. One of the UK’s most experienced and respected diplomats, Darroch was given the task of explaining Trump to the British and Brexit to the Americans. Choosing to resign after his confidential cables criticising the Trump administration were leaked to the press, Darroch’s unvarnished, behind-the-scenes account reveals for the first time the inside story of this tumultuous time and reflects more broadly on Britain’s relationship with the United States.
-
-
Dispatches from our man in Washington
- By papapownall on 07-10-20
-
On the Road
- Adventures from Nixon to Trump
- By: James Naughtie
- Narrated by: James Naughtie
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
James Naughtie, the acclaimed author and BBC broadcaster, now brings his unique and inquisitive eye to the country that has fascinated him and drawn him across the Atlantic for half a century. In looking at America, from Presidents Nixon through to Trump, he’ll tell the story of a country that is grappling with a dream. What has it come to mean in the new century and who do Americans now think they are?
-
-
Warm, incisive and compelling journey of America
- By David on 06-07-20
-
Today
- A History of Our World Through 60 Years of Conversations & Controversies
- By: Sarah Sands, Nick Robinson, Martha Kearney, and others
- Narrated by: Edward Stourton, Martha Kearney, NIck Robinson, and others
- Length: 20 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In an era of fake news and new fault lines in global politics, millions of listeners turn to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme each morning to help them make sense of the world around them. The first ever book from the iconic programme marks 60 years of programming with 60 world-changing stories. Covering everything from the fall of the Berlin Wall and the Anti-Apartheid Movement to the emergence of Brit Art and space exploration, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Today explores events as they happened and reveals how they changed the world around us.
-
-
Excellent but big missed opportunity
- By SPRish on 26-07-20
-
And Now on Radio 4
- By: Simon Elmes
- Narrated by: Nigel Anthony
- Length: 4 hrs and 32 mins
- Abridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The wonderful history-cum-guide answers these and many other questions about the irreplaceable world of Radio 4. Released to mark the station's 40th anniversary it's essential listening for every devotee.
-
-
Excellent
- By MR NEIL HOLMES on 24-05-19
-
Chief of Staff
- By: Gavin Barwell
- Narrated by: Gavin Barwell
- Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once a more sedate affair, since 2016, British politics has witnessed a barrage of crises, resignations and general elections. As Brexit became logjammed, Theresa May's premiership was the most turbulent of all. In her darkest hour, following the disastrous 2017 election, she turned to Gavin Barwell to restore her battered authority. He would become her chief of staff for the next two years - a period punctuated by strained negotiations, domestic tragedy and intense political drama.
-
-
I wanted to enjoy this - but ended up frustrated!
- By Nick G on 10-11-21
-
Who Are We Now?
- Stories of Modern England
- By: Jason Cowley
- Narrated by: Jason Cowley, Thomas Judd
- Length: 9 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this compelling and essential audiobook, Jason Cowley, editor-in-chief of the New Statesman, examines contemporary England through a handful of the key news stories of recent times to reveal what they tell us about the state of the nation and to answer the question: 'Who are we now?' Spanning the years since the election of Tony Blair’s New Labour government to the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, the audiobook investigates how England has changed and how those changes have affected us.
-
The Gift of a Radio
- My Childhood and Other Trainwrecks
- By: Justin Webb
- Narrated by: Justin Webb
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Justin Webb's childhood was far from ordinary. Between his mother's un-diagnosed psychological problems and his step-father's untreated ones, life at home was dysfunctional at best. But with gun-wielding school masters and sub-standard living conditions, Quaker boarding school wasn't much better. And the backdrop to this coming of age story? Britain in the 1970s. Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin and Free. Strikes, inflation and IRA bombings. A time in which attitudes towards mental illness, parenting and masculinity were worlds apart from the attitudes we have today.
-
-
Through a glass darkly
- By Lulu on 24-02-22
-
Truth
- The Press, the President, and the Privilege of Power
- By: Mary Mapes
- Narrated by: Mary Mapes
- Length: 4 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Truth examines Bush's political roots as governor of Texas, delves into what is known about his National Guard duty - or lack of service - and sheds light on the solidity of the documents that backed up the National Guard story, even including images of the actual documents in an appendix to the book. It is peopled with a colorful cast of characters - from Karl Rove to Sumner Redstone - and moves from small-town Texas to Black Rock - CBS corporate headquarters - in New York City.
-
-
Infuriating (and I mean that as a compliment)
- By C. Cooney on 05-10-16
-
There Is Nothing For You Here
- Finding Opportunity in the Twenty-First Century
- By: Fiona Hill
- Narrated by: Fiona Hill
- Length: 15 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A celebrated foreign policy expert and key impeachment witness reveals how declining opportunity has set America on the grim path of modern Russia—and draws on her personal journey out of poverty, as well as her unique perspectives as an historian and policy maker, to show how we can return hope to our forgotten places.
-
-
Brilliant book, a wealth of insight
- By Tara Ward on 13-11-21
-
Everywoman
- One Woman's Truth About Speaking the Truth
- By: Jess Phillips
- Narrated by: Jess Phillips
- Length: 6 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
If you're thinking, 'Jess, who?' then I'm glad that there was something about 'everywoman' and 'truth' that caught your eye. Or you might already know me as that gobby MP who has a tendency to shout about the stuff I care about. Because I'm a woman with a cause, I have been called a feminazi witch and a murderer and threatened with rape. The Internet attracts a classy crowd. So, speaking the truth isn't always easy, but I believe it's worth it. And I want you to believe it, too.
-
-
She's bloody brilliant!
- By Anonymous User on 20-03-19
-
Everything You Really Need to Know About Politics
- My Life as an MP
- By: Jess Phillips
- Narrated by: Jess Phillips
- Length: 7 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From agonising decisions on foreign air strikes to making headlines about orgasms, from sitting in on history-making moments at the UN to eating McCain potato smiles at a black-tie banquet in China, the life of a politician is never dull. And it’s also never been more important. But politics is far bigger than Westminster, and in this book, Jess Phillips makes the compelling case for why now, more than ever, we all need to be a part of it.
-
-
Does what it says on the tin, well.
- By strataJM on 25-07-21
Summary
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of Airhead, written and read by Emily Maitlis.
As anchor for the BBC's key political news programme, Newsnight, Emily Maitlis has interviewed some of the most powerful and controversial figures on the political scene. She plans each interview meticulously, knowing what she wants to ask and where she wants it to go, but as one of the most experienced journalists in her field she knows that no interview will ever go to plan. Anything can throw it - from the atmosphere in the room to her own feelings at the time to the mood of the subject. Often she leaves the interview with an entirely different perception of the interviewee, while sometimes it is all too sadly reconfirmed.
Airhead explores just these moments. All we normally see are the interviews, but what were the conversations that preceded them or the shouting matches that ended them? From her interviews with US Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton and the last five British Prime Ministers, to Hollywood film directors and powerful internet and entertainment moguls like Sheryl Sandberg and Simon Cowell, Emily Maitlis explores how these powerful personalities came across. In the process she throws an illuminating torch on them, not just for what they represent but as individuals in their own right - with all their flaws and charms.
What listeners say about Airhead
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Benjamin
- 26-04-19
A rather brilliant and all too brief glimpse into what it is to make the news
A rather brilliant and all too brief glimpse into what it is to make the news. Some parts made me laugh out loud at the image and absurdity of it all. Lots of subjects covered. Makes me want to watch Newsnight more than I do. Will change that. Trump is depressingly mentioned a lot; what a dickhead that man is.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Stephen Pitt
- 30-04-19
Fascinating
An interesting view behind the scenes of a TV news reporter - but much more than that, a poignant assessment of TV news in the time of Trump, social media and ever increasing avenues of reporting. Above all, a fascinating insight into the “front woman” on our screens, her doubts and fears, triumphs and disappointments and the personal cost of being “above the parapet”
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Anonymous User
- 20-06-19
One of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to.
So funny, insightful and heartwarming. An incredibly interesting book, and Maitlis’ writing and performance really bring this behind the scenes look at broadcast journalism to life. I’ll be listening to my favourite chapters again, no doubt.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Clare
- 14-07-20
Fascinating - springboard to other reading
I loved listening to this - insight into many important interviews with tiny glimmers of her real life behind her job. I listened to many chapters more than once. I have rubbish political knowledge but went on to read James Comie's book (compulsive reading) and also the Wolff book on Trump. Read Ronan Farrow's book on Weinstein - also good reading - after the Weinstein chapters. She comes across as warm, doesn't take herself too seriously and incredibly intelligent. Have recommended to many friends.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Romanie Thomas
- 28-11-19
Authentic and funny
So many laugh out loud moments and full credit to Emily Maitlis for calling herself out at regular intervals. Even when the truth put her in a bad light. She comes across as trustworthy and narrates superbly.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- C. Smith
- 10-09-21
Not sure why but expected more?
As a great fan of Emily Maitlis on air I guess I expected more but very little of her reminiscences produced any real surprises, given the subjects she was describing. Plus, and maybe I am being unsympathetic here, her honesty over and over again about her fears and insecurities in the course of her work doesn’t sit well with her position in both the BBC pay grade and as someone in the first rank of UK journalism. In a world where gender differences in the work place are felt so acutely, I think she does her sex no favours by worrying about make up, clothes, a clumsy question being made. Worth listening to but only just. Also her voice lively on air, is a flat monotone here with muffled audio on some chapters.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Annie H.
- 24-08-19
Dodgy accents, brilliant stories
I love Emily Maitlis after listening!
Really interesting if you’re into the ins and outs of journalism/news reporting/television and how it all works.
She does some pretty questionable accents when reading quotes from Trump etc but I forgive her.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jessica
- 08-05-19
Witty
Brilliant insight into what she does. She's a legend, clearly. Funnier than a comedian. Extremely dry witty narration. I loved listening to this book during some frankly extremely boring moments of my life, cleaning and so on. Recommend.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Struan
- 07-05-22
Brilliant!
A very powerful book about Emily’s experiences interviewing some of the most influential people in the world.
The account she gives is honest and raw giving you the best possible insight into how the levers of power and culture work.
She’s also got a knack for impressions which is a lovely surprise that gives the audiobook more of a real feel.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mum, London SW19
- 09-02-22
Fab
I was unsure about wether to download this title or not. I have always liked Emily M and had had this title in my Audible wish list for a while. The decision to download and listen to it was rather spontaneous (as I was unsure about what type of book I felt like). Well I will keep it simple and say that I am so glad I opted for Ms Maitlis's book. I loved it. The book is very easy to listen to. Each chapter covered a different topic (or person). I just wish there had been more chapters as this book finished far too quickly!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Sean
- 01-02-21
Fabulous
The stories, people, insights, writing and how wonderful Emily is. Excellent book that's fun to read.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Thandi Lamprecht
- 09-04-20
Excellent audiobook
I found this book incredibly interesting and informative. It is well written and the performance is just as good.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- William Burke
- 18-09-19
Amazing book
Brilliantly written, brilliantly narrated by an amazing journalist & broadcaster with an amazing voice. It can only be Emily Maitlis. Captivating from start to finish.