You can read Basic Black as a personal history of publishing or you can read it as a management text. Either way, there are plenty of insights to be gained here. Cathie Black heads Hearst Magazines, including COSMOPOLITAN, ESQUIRE, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING, HARPER’S BAZAAR and O, THE OPRAH MAGAZINE. Cathie was the first woman publisher of a weekly consumer magazine when took over in 1979. She has also president of USA TODAY. So on one level, you read about the evolution (or deevolution) over the publishing industry. On another level, Cathie Black tells you how she achieved management success when women were basically serfs. I enjoyed this engaging book. GRADE: B+
Once again, every trip here is a surprise.
We aim to please, Patti!
George you do a fine job here, and the variety, as Patti points out, is great. I’m not sure this is my cuppa, but for some it would be very appealing, I’m sure.
By the way, I just finished Kuttner’s ROBOTS DON’T HAVE TAILS and enjoyed it very much. Thanks for bringing it to my attention on these pages!
If you enjoyed Kuttner, you should find a copy of TWO-HANDED ENGINE: THE BEST OF HENRY KUTTNER AND C.L. MOORE. It’s terrific, Rick!