AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'How do we rank a man who raises millions for people in need but whose actions waste millions in support of unworthy mates and poor public policy? How do we define someone who on his own finds jobs for the out of work but who routinely trashes the careers of others?
'These are some of the many paradoxes of Alan Jones. Why is he adored? Why is he reviled? Why does this talk radio host have the power to dine with presidents, lecture prime ministers and premiers, and influence government ministers? And how is it that he could not only survive such a scandal as the 'cash for comment' affair, but go on to greater reward? Chris Masters seeks the answers to these questions and in doing so reveals a complex individual and the potent relationship he has with both Struggle Street and the big end of town.
'Compelling and probing, Jonestown takes us to the hazardous intersection of populism and politics. It reaches deep into a powerful industry and exposes the myth and the magic of a very powerful man. a very powerful man.' (Publication summary)
Notes
-
ABC Books commissioned Masters to write 'Jonestown : The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones' in 2002, but in mid-2006 declined to publish the finished work on commerical grounds when it seemed likely that Alan Jones would take legal action.
Following the ABC's decision, Masters sought other publishers for his 170,000-word manuscript. After strong interest from several publishers Masters accepted an offer from Allen and Unwin to publish the biography.
-
Dedication: To my father Charlie (1914-1988) Teaching us still
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Telling It Like It Is
2010
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 27 February 2010; (p. 8-9) -
After Jonestown
2007
single work
criticism
— Appears in: Australian Author , August vol. 39 no. 2 2007; (p. 6-10) -
Alan Jones Supporter Wins Defamation Payout
2007
single work
column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 8-9 September 2007; (p. 3) Brad Norington reports on a successful defamation case brought by former New South Wales police officer Tim Priest against publisher Allen and Unwin over statements about Priest made by Chris Masters in Jonestown. Priest reached an out-of-court settlement with Allen and Unwin and the offending passages were removed from revised editions of Jonestown. -
Strewth
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 12 December 2006; (p. 11) -
Strewth! : Old Boys' Club
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Australian , 31 October 2006; (p. 11)
-
The Long Reach of His Master's Voice
2006
single work
review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4-5 November 2006; (p. 32-33)
— Review of Jonestown : The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones 2006 single work biography -
Jonestown Massacre
2006
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 11-12 November 2006; (p. 10-11)
— Review of Jonestown : The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones 2006 single work biography -
The Myth of Jones Illuminated, the Extent of His Power Exposed
2006
single work
review
— Appears in: The Age , 11 November 2006; (p. 27)
— Review of Jonestown : The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones 2006 single work biography -
Last Man Standing
2006-2007
single work
review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December-January no. 287 2006-2007; (p. 7-8)
— Review of Jonestown : The Power and the Myth of Alan Jones 2006 single work biography -
ABC Accused of Surrender Over Book on Jones
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 1-2 July 2006; (p. 8) -
No Legal Bar to Jones Book, ABC Report Advised Board
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 4 July 2006; (p. 3) -
Allen and Unwin Wraps Up Jonestown Deal
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Canberra Times , 8 July 2006; (p. 2) -
Jonestown: A Saga that Goes to the Heart of ABC Independence
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8-9 July 2006; (p. 27) -
Jones Author Counts the Money, and the Cost
2006
single work
column
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 8-9 July 2006; (p. 7)
Awards
- 2008 shortlisted National Biography Award
- 2007 winner Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) — Marketing Campaign of the Year
- 2007 winner Walkley Award — Best Non-Fiction Book
- 2007 winner Queensland Premier's Literary Awards — Best Literary or Media Work Advancing Public Debate - the Harry Williams Award
- 2007 shortlisted Queensland Premier's Literary Awards — Best Non-Fiction Book