Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy

Picked this one up owing to my recent interest in the Paramount Global company as well as the fact that my previous impression from J Stewart's book (Den of Thieves) is still around (read as very +ve).This book is written well, however, there do exist some gaps in the storytelling of Sumner's arrival to the throne so to speak. The story generally revolves around the legacy of and the behind the scenes situation at the Redstone household. Whilst its fairly common to hear about clingers-on and young (wo)men chasing older wealthier (wo)men, to read about how wealth corrupts and causes rifts in one's own family is fascinating.What is interesting is that throughout the years, irrespective of culture, when large sums of money are involved, similar rifts and tensions arise within the household with the familiar supporting cast of illicit lovers and hangers-on trying to distance the children from parents and targeting the "estate / will" post death of the rich mogul. As mentioned above, this story is fascinating, common yet unique and at a deeper level - sad. Also quite something to see about the image or a front put on by wealthy people, which in many cases is quite the opposite from their internal state - which raises the point of how important is money and status for happiness? My takeaway is that beyond an above average income, money does little, its more the relations with family and friends as well as health which dictate one's satisfaction with life generally.All said and done, the book is worth a read and some other follow up ideas might be the other book on Paramount Global or the autobiography by Mr. Redstone (2001).

The book is terrific, impressively detailed research and highly readable, like a novel -- in fact, it's almost a real-life “Succession” story about the Sumner Redstone family and corporate scandals at Paramount/CBS/Viacom. (And it's not surprising that a deal was just signed to adapt the book into a limited series.)Sumner Redstone is a Shakesperean character, triumphant, towering, profoundly flawed, and ultimately a tragic figure. Then add in the turbulent family drama, boardroom maneuverings, sexual lavishness, lawsuits flying all over the place with tens of millions of dollars regularly thrown around like pocket change, and twists and turns every step of the way, notably a daughter thrown into the middle of it all against her best inclination.For reasons I can’t quite explain, non-fiction books about big business and Wall Street machinations are among my favorite reading. As a result, I personally cared more about the corporate boardroom part of the story than I did about the salacious Redstone tales, which make up the first of the book -- though those are critical to the whole story and I’m sure of great “gossip” interest to a great many people. In the end, the entire book is wonderfully done and fascinating.

Una saga impresionante que da testimonio de personajes muy controvertidos y un uso desmedido del poder. De lectura apasionante y cuyo tema tiene puntos de contacto con la TV serie Succession.

It’s a great read… for me entertaining… It begins and ends with mention of Pilgrim. Which is telling…Even though Everything about the Redstone’s, their “empire”, their sidekicks such as moonves, and friends; had already been written and now intermixed with Pilgrim… it still tells a story… in my opinion, all the Backstories could have been guessed…. maybe not, you be the judge… back to Pilgrim - the authors both harp on his past but in my opinion, they needed his character because he is colorful… and he is a character and while not mentioned even through his past, he also seems to be “charmed”. Spoiler Alert - would you drive a person without ID or money in their pocket From Austin to Sedona with a promise of a substantial payment. Pilgrim didn’t con the cab driver… cab driver got paid. And while Not mentioned - he even offered him a place to rest before heading back.I listened to the entire audio book… it was again entertaining… and I recommend reading it or audio book it! Everyone seems to have misbehaved in the story front cover to back in my opinion.. it is graphic in my opinion… yet interesting how they were able to connect everyone. But Pilgrims name is what everyone seems to remember…no one is perfect! BUT I bet there is more to Pilgrim than what meets the eye. After all and by admission from team Shari, Pilgrim involvement did open the Door so she could take her place as the head of national amusements… seems to me he charmed the Redstones & their “empire” again you be the judge.Let me know what you think after reading. It would be a great book club read… or while sunning at the beach!

Greed, power, control, from villain to victim. Truly gobsmacking real life story of Sumner Redstone. A hard book to put down.