Unscripted

Author James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams
Narrator Robert Petkoff
Publisher Random House
Publish Date 1 January 1970
Run Time 12 hours and 23 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Biography and non-fiction prose, Biography: business and industry, Business and Management, Film, TV and Radio industries, Films, cinema, History of specific companies / corporate history, The Arts.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book.

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Sumner Redstone was the CEO of Hollywood's most influential company: the powerhouse behind Indiana Jones and Star Wars, film studios and TV production companies, a fleet of private jets and tailor-made jewellery lines. He was notorious for his fearsome temper, his all-consuming ambition and his pledge to live forever. Until, one day, he lost control.

Unscripted is the story of an empire embroiled in scandal, a will in tatters, and a family on the edge of self-destruction. It sounds too outrageous to be true - except it is.

Longlisted for the Financial Times Business Book of the Year Award

'Explosive' Esquire
'Epic' Financial Times
'Riveting' Vanity Fair

©2023 James B. Stewart & Rachel Abrams (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

A racy tale of big money, bigger egos and #MeToo disgrace . . . Like a real-life blueprint for the TV show Succession

The Times

Jaw-dropping . . . an epic tale of toxic wealth and greed populated by connivers and manipulators.

New York Times

Sex and power were the abiding obsessions of the colourful media mogul Sumner Redstone, whose life and career only became more bizarre as he aged and family and friends sought to get their hands on his empire. The saga helped inspire the HBO series Succession; this deeply reported account shows the truth was, if anything, stranger.

Financial Times, Best Books of 2023

A real-life Succession . . . A deeply reported account of one of the trashiest episodes in recent business history . . . Masterful.

Financial Times

Has a business book ever made you blush? . . . With soap-operatic twists and turns, Unscripted makes the amped-up historical fiction of Babylon feel downright chaste by comparison

Washington Post

The sordid family saga that makes Succession look tame

Esquire

Addicted to Succession? Well, here’s the real thing.

Hollywood Reporter

The riveting, Succession-esque tale of the fight for control of Paramount Global

Vanity Fair

Imagine a mash-up of King Lear and Weekend at Bernie’s the 1989 movie comedy about two scamps who prop up a cadaver so they can enjoy a weekend at his beach house, with Redstone starring in both title roles.

Wall Street Journal

An explosive new page-turner . . . The sordid family saga that makes Succession look tame.

Esquire

More from the same

Narrator

About xigxag

Enjoy the best audiobooks on xigxag, an innovative, user-friendly audiobook platform that makes it easy to find, purchase, and enjoy your favorite books in audio format. xigxag’s flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less – affordable prices and the best audiobook deals with no subscription required. Give the perfect gift with our audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

xigxag’s commitment to sustainability and ethical practices ensures a guilt-free listening experience from an exceptional digital book platform – an exciting alternative to big tech. Enjoy audiobooks from the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service and a leader in audiobook innovation.

Search effortlessly, read honest audiobook reviews evaluating both the book and the narration, and discover hidden gems. Download or stream top audiobook titles anytime, anywhere and get the best possible listening experience on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Experience the future of audiobooks today.