Les Hinton

As Rupert Murdoch’s right-hand man for more than 50 years, Les Hinton has enjoyed both a close-up and a long view of the radical changes that have swept through the newspaper business.

His new book, The Bootle Boy, is a memoir of his progress through the ranks of the Murdoch Empire. Prior to stepping down in 2011, Hinton oversaw the administration of mastheads including the Times, the News of the World and Wall Street Journal; newspapers that, for better or for worse, shaped destinies and held a stake in world affairs. In the book, Hinton gives an insider’s account of the media jostlings of major political figures, provides his own perspective on the phone-hacking scandal and reflects on changing revenue models for newspapers.

With Sally Warhaft, Hinton will discuss the past, present and future of print – and life alongside the man he calls ‘an authentic colossus’, Rupert Murdoch.

Readings will be our bookseller at this event.