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The Insider: The Private Diaries of a Scandalous Decade
Piers Morgan was made editor of the News of the World, the UK's biggest-selling Sunday newspaper at the record-breaking age of 28. The decade that followed was one of the most tumultuous in modern times. In a world of indiscreet dinners, private meetings and gossipy lunches, Piers Morgan found himself in the thick of it. His diaries from this remarkable period reveal astonishing and hilarious encounters with an endless list of celebrities and politicians alike.
512 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2005
About the author
Piers Morgan
23 books33 followersPiers Stefan Pughe-Morgan (born Piers Stefan O'Meara), known professionally as Piers Morgan, is a British journalist and television presenter. He is editorial director of First News, a national newspaper for children.
Morgan branched into television mainly as a presenter, but has become best known as a judge or contestant in reality television programmes. In the UK, he was a judge on Britain's Got Talent. Morgan is best-known in the United States as a judge on the show America's Got Talent, and as the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice. On 17 January 2011, he began hosting Piers Morgan Tonight for CNN in the timeslot previously occupied by Larry King Live before the retirement of host Larry King.
Morgan has authored eight books, including three volumes of his memoirs.
Morgan branched into television mainly as a presenter, but has become best known as a judge or contestant in reality television programmes. In the UK, he was a judge on Britain's Got Talent. Morgan is best-known in the United States as a judge on the show America's Got Talent, and as the winner of The Celebrity Apprentice. On 17 January 2011, he began hosting Piers Morgan Tonight for CNN in the timeslot previously occupied by Larry King Live before the retirement of host Larry King.
Morgan has authored eight books, including three volumes of his memoirs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
November 20, 2010
I hate to admit it, but this is the best book I’ve read for ages! A fascinating insight into the life of a newspaper, of the Blair government, of London in the Eighties and Nineties, of celebrity life in general…..Piers knew everyone who was anyone it seems, and was able to write about it in a witty and engaging way. He is a tosser, a lucky tosser no doubt – and just how did he land that editorial job? – and even he must look back on those days and shake his head in wonder. Lady Di, Tony Blair, Posh and Becks, the icons of the age captured in a way that no other media could. Piers’ big-headedness doesn’t survive his own acknowledgment of it either, as in the final chapter he goes on about how Tony Blair decided to stay on in government after seeking the counsel of Piers and then, in the next paragraph, slates Alastair Campbell for thinking he was more important than he was! But that’s what makes the book as entertaining as it is.
February 20, 2008
This book was OK, and had some interesting parts, but I bought it thinking it would be more about celebrity gossip than anything else (given that the cover is full of celebs!). It focused too much on politics for my liking. Also Piers does not come across in the best way. He has a reputation for being pig headed, and this book does not do much to refute that reputation.
April 30, 2011
Piers Morgan comes across as one of the most self-centred braggarts in a world filled with egos, but it's hard to ignore that this is a work of pure bravado and one that keeps you hooked consistently.
His follow-ups, once Morgan himself becomes a 'celebrity', aren't a patch on this first volume.
Read, be infuriated and enjoy.
His follow-ups, once Morgan himself becomes a 'celebrity', aren't a patch on this first volume.
Read, be infuriated and enjoy.
May 3, 2011
Given the fact that the author is such an arrogant tosser, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Written before he became the TV personailty he is now, it provides great insight into many of the major events of recent times from the point of view of the editor of a sleazy redtop newspaper.
April 8, 2012
God he's bloody annoying but his account as editor of a top tabloid makes for fascinating reading at a time when exclusives were happening every week and before the internet really took over breaking news. Compelling, gossipy and light.
October 7, 2010
Have to admit, I laughed quite a bit reading this. Snappy writing, lots of goss. He's going to hell, of course...
January 14, 2024
Fast paced, honest and entertaining. I take my hat off to Morgan for being incredibly funny, having skin as thick as a rhino and being able to look back and say "yeah, I was being a dick then". Great read. Highly recommend.
August 1, 2013
Piers Morgan is not a popular guy. I kinda like that in him. I see a lot of him in myself.
I like the way the book starts with his sacking from The Mirror in 2004 by way of intro before swapping back to 1994 to start proper.
The book reads like an ongoing soap opera as he displays his love/hate relationship with so many luminaries and news makers. From the many meetings he has with Tony Blair to the email relationship he has with Peter Mandelson and the ever ongoing clashes he has with Alistair Campbell, it’s surprising how influential he actually was. Then there is appeasing of less important and desperate for exposure figures, including immediately after 9-11 and his own run-in with terrorism at Canary Wharf, a pivotal time for the newspaper which turns a corner and becomes very anti-war and begins a unique period in the British press. The tempestuous relationship between the British newspapers is wholly entertaining and very interesting reading. It really is such a cut throat business.
It’s hard to keep up with all of the schmoozing though. His life seems to have been going from paid lunch to champagne reception to dinner party every day and the whole element of the free ride he gets kinda wears thin and I can imagine annoys most of the people that probably read this. How he found time to edit a newspaper is anyone’s guess.
The ego and arrogance and the sheer cruelty he switches on is quite amazing. There seems to be nothing he wont do or cover, despite some brief moments of restraint, to get his circulation up. He shows that his job is one similar to the other annals of celebrity, that urge to constantly be able to produce the best result. The number one single. The highest grossing movie. That ethic of when you’re hot, you’re hot and he certainly was for a great deal of time. But we all fall off our perches eventually and fall he did, succumbing to the axe above him that was dealt with as much thought and care as many of the exclusives he constantly spalshed onto the soon to be birdcage lining.
There are some real nuggets. The transcript of his meeting with Diana, the excitement of the newsroom in the events like the twin towers and the Diana crash, the conversations he has with both parties during the Sven-Ulrika affair, a situation played out very differently in her book. The ongoing attacks on really irritating bastards like Ian Hislop and Jeremy Clarkson that you can’t help chuckling along with him too.
His style and prose is very enjoyable indeed and it certainly gave me the desire to read his second and most recent tome, an update on life since the diaries came out but like the previous work, I find it unbalanced as he seems to skirt much of his own private life and you are left feeling confused when he does touch on it very briefly. As much as I enjoyed the book though and as fascinating some of the access to others he actually gets, you are left feeling whether things are actually true and the whole intolerable smugness the book rides on gets a bit irritating towards the end. Plus, I find it quite disturbing that I have now taken a long intake of the philosophies of all of the judges on America’s Got Talent now. That’s scary.
I like the way the book starts with his sacking from The Mirror in 2004 by way of intro before swapping back to 1994 to start proper.
The book reads like an ongoing soap opera as he displays his love/hate relationship with so many luminaries and news makers. From the many meetings he has with Tony Blair to the email relationship he has with Peter Mandelson and the ever ongoing clashes he has with Alistair Campbell, it’s surprising how influential he actually was. Then there is appeasing of less important and desperate for exposure figures, including immediately after 9-11 and his own run-in with terrorism at Canary Wharf, a pivotal time for the newspaper which turns a corner and becomes very anti-war and begins a unique period in the British press. The tempestuous relationship between the British newspapers is wholly entertaining and very interesting reading. It really is such a cut throat business.
It’s hard to keep up with all of the schmoozing though. His life seems to have been going from paid lunch to champagne reception to dinner party every day and the whole element of the free ride he gets kinda wears thin and I can imagine annoys most of the people that probably read this. How he found time to edit a newspaper is anyone’s guess.
The ego and arrogance and the sheer cruelty he switches on is quite amazing. There seems to be nothing he wont do or cover, despite some brief moments of restraint, to get his circulation up. He shows that his job is one similar to the other annals of celebrity, that urge to constantly be able to produce the best result. The number one single. The highest grossing movie. That ethic of when you’re hot, you’re hot and he certainly was for a great deal of time. But we all fall off our perches eventually and fall he did, succumbing to the axe above him that was dealt with as much thought and care as many of the exclusives he constantly spalshed onto the soon to be birdcage lining.
There are some real nuggets. The transcript of his meeting with Diana, the excitement of the newsroom in the events like the twin towers and the Diana crash, the conversations he has with both parties during the Sven-Ulrika affair, a situation played out very differently in her book. The ongoing attacks on really irritating bastards like Ian Hislop and Jeremy Clarkson that you can’t help chuckling along with him too.
His style and prose is very enjoyable indeed and it certainly gave me the desire to read his second and most recent tome, an update on life since the diaries came out but like the previous work, I find it unbalanced as he seems to skirt much of his own private life and you are left feeling confused when he does touch on it very briefly. As much as I enjoyed the book though and as fascinating some of the access to others he actually gets, you are left feeling whether things are actually true and the whole intolerable smugness the book rides on gets a bit irritating towards the end. Plus, I find it quite disturbing that I have now taken a long intake of the philosophies of all of the judges on America’s Got Talent now. That’s scary.
May 21, 2015
Everyone loves a bit of gossip, but not everyone loves Piers Morgan. However, without the nation’s lust for titillation, Morgan would have not become the successful Newspaper Editor he was and TV presenter he is. ‘The Insider’ is a diary of his newspaper years and was released relatively soon after his firing from The Mirror for publishing allegedly false photos of Iraqi prisoners being tortured. The book cover the mid-90s to the mid-00s – from a period of Tory sleaze, to a period of Labour taking the nation to war; with several royal and celebrity mishaps on the way.
‘The Insider’ is a dense book, but one that you don’t want to skip over at all; any of the entries may have a wonderful line, or salacious piece of gossip. For this reason it took me a long time to read, but I enjoyed every minute. It starts off as just a very amusing book as your get a Morgan eye view of the celebrity and political world of the 90s. As the book moves on you get moments of poignancy; Diana’s death, 9/11, Paula Yates etc. By 2002-4 we are heading to war and the book becomes more serious. Having read so much froth beforehand, it was nice that the book added depth towards the end.
What makes ‘The Insider’ so interesting is not only what is on the page, but what is missing. Morgan says that he trawled through his notes of the period, but he must have selected what to share. His choices are telling; in terms of narrative he threads through sad tales of Diana or Paula Yates, but also the wheels of politics. What is missing is also key – the techniques that led to many scoops. It is shocking to read how many celebrities are complicit in their own gossip, but not all of them. Also reading about real people who have also gone on to infamy since 2006 is very intriguing – a few names that would grace the front page of The Mirror have yet to show their colours here.
‘The Insider’ is written in the style that you would expect from Piers Morgan; uncompromising, unapologetic and a bit smug. For this reason it is a very open, extremely well written and fun read.
Sammy Recommendation
‘The Insider’ is a dense book, but one that you don’t want to skip over at all; any of the entries may have a wonderful line, or salacious piece of gossip. For this reason it took me a long time to read, but I enjoyed every minute. It starts off as just a very amusing book as your get a Morgan eye view of the celebrity and political world of the 90s. As the book moves on you get moments of poignancy; Diana’s death, 9/11, Paula Yates etc. By 2002-4 we are heading to war and the book becomes more serious. Having read so much froth beforehand, it was nice that the book added depth towards the end.
What makes ‘The Insider’ so interesting is not only what is on the page, but what is missing. Morgan says that he trawled through his notes of the period, but he must have selected what to share. His choices are telling; in terms of narrative he threads through sad tales of Diana or Paula Yates, but also the wheels of politics. What is missing is also key – the techniques that led to many scoops. It is shocking to read how many celebrities are complicit in their own gossip, but not all of them. Also reading about real people who have also gone on to infamy since 2006 is very intriguing – a few names that would grace the front page of The Mirror have yet to show their colours here.
‘The Insider’ is written in the style that you would expect from Piers Morgan; uncompromising, unapologetic and a bit smug. For this reason it is a very open, extremely well written and fun read.
Sammy Recommendation
August 25, 2012
Ok, it’s Piers Morgan mark II. No I am not obsessed with him, I swear. I am just riveted by tales of sleaze and scandal. The Insider, which is Mr Morgan’s memoirs written when he was editing the Daily Mirror provides plenty of sleaze and scandal in akimbo. The auto-bio takes us through momentous occasions in history such as Blair’s election victory, 9/11, the war on Iraq and Princess Diana’s death. There are also not so momentous ones like his interview with Jordan, his spat with Top Gear presenter, Jeremy Clarkson and close shave with the law for purchasing unethical shares. This book is a real page turner what with Pier’s dry observations and his witty one liners. He proves that to be the Editor of the nation’s 2nd best loved newspaper you need to have talent, verve and a lot of front. Oh boy does Piers have some front as he stands up to Tony Blair, his nemesis, Alistair Campbell and his tyrant of a boss/friend Kelvin McKenzie. This book is brilliantly documented and reflects Pier’s relationships with key people like Princess Diana, Sarah Ferguson, The Blairs, Gordon and Sarah Brown, Alistair Campbell and Peter Mandelson so you are presented with a vivid picture of what they are (or were in Diana’s case) like. You get to find out how charming but manipulative Diana could be, why Cherie hated Piers so much, how Mandelson shaped the new-Labour dynasty and how Campbell controlled it and ooooh you even get a glimpse of what the Blairs and Browns really think of each other. This book is so juicy that I think it deserves another read and I never read books twice unless I am really really bored. I wonder how this will tally up to Cherie’s auto-bio that is due out next year? Something tells me it won’t hold a candle to it.
March 18, 2009
Well, I took a chance on this book as I had never read anything written by Piers before but I was very glad I had done so as I found it a really good enjoyable read.
If you had any interest in UK current affairs during 1994 to 2004 then this book gives you a good insight behind some of the stories which gripped the nation. Major stories during this period included the death of Diana, 9/11 and the war in Iraq.
Piers had a lot of access to some of the key players in the news over this period and therefore this book gives some real good snippets behind those stories.
The only slight criticism I would make is that given that this book has been written with the benefit of hindsight, Piers has done his best to avoid that hindsight but there are some places where it makes him look strangely prescient if you assume hindsight wasn't used.
Piers doesn't come across the best all the time as there are instances where he reveals things which don't put him in the best light, so he's not afraid of showing himself to be less than perfect. However, there may be more incidences like this which didn't make the book so its hard to judge.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be straight onto his next book.
If you had any interest in UK current affairs during 1994 to 2004 then this book gives you a good insight behind some of the stories which gripped the nation. Major stories during this period included the death of Diana, 9/11 and the war in Iraq.
Piers had a lot of access to some of the key players in the news over this period and therefore this book gives some real good snippets behind those stories.
The only slight criticism I would make is that given that this book has been written with the benefit of hindsight, Piers has done his best to avoid that hindsight but there are some places where it makes him look strangely prescient if you assume hindsight wasn't used.
Piers doesn't come across the best all the time as there are instances where he reveals things which don't put him in the best light, so he's not afraid of showing himself to be less than perfect. However, there may be more incidences like this which didn't make the book so its hard to judge.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be straight onto his next book.
January 29, 2014
I found this entertaining and interesting to read, until it focused so much on the Iraq war. A lot of this book you may not understand if you don't recognize names of British politicians, celebrities, or Royalty. I downgraded my rating, simply because I think, at times anyway, that Piers is full of shit! Do I believe it was his and only his decision, to not publish the photos of Diana as she lay bleeding and dying from the car crash that ultimately killed her, plus he told the distributor of the photos to recall all that he'd send out, told them it was a mistake, then urged him to take an immediate vacation. I believe he's full of himself and has a massive ego. Perhaps all tabloid editors are that way, but I'd say you have to take his revelations, recollections, memories, etc with a grain of salt.
October 25, 2015
There is a quote from Rupert Murdoch on the back cover of this book: "The trouble with Piers Morgan is that his balls are bigger than his brains."
Piers pretty much proved that to be correct through out the book. A brave man is reasonably common, a brave journalist/editor is damn near as rare as a unicorn.
"The Insider" is a warts and all look at a decade of Piers' career from becoming editor of News of the World, until he was sacked from the Mirror. The cast of characters is large, some of whom are reasonably familiar names from the more recent privacy invasion saga that ended with News of the World ceasing production.
If you have any interest at all in the behind the scenes shenanigans of the world of journalism, or just like Piers Morgan's rather sharp and quirky sense of humour, then you will enjoy this book.
Highly recommended.
Piers pretty much proved that to be correct through out the book. A brave man is reasonably common, a brave journalist/editor is damn near as rare as a unicorn.
"The Insider" is a warts and all look at a decade of Piers' career from becoming editor of News of the World, until he was sacked from the Mirror. The cast of characters is large, some of whom are reasonably familiar names from the more recent privacy invasion saga that ended with News of the World ceasing production.
If you have any interest at all in the behind the scenes shenanigans of the world of journalism, or just like Piers Morgan's rather sharp and quirky sense of humour, then you will enjoy this book.
Highly recommended.
January 21, 2011
This was a fun and easy quick read. I like Piers Morgan and admire his honesty in this book. He knows he can be a nasty piece of sheit sometimes but if you are his friend he will be there for you.
This is a perfect book if you just want to read something not so heavy. At the back of the book you will find all the people that were mentioned in the book and where they are known for so if you want to read let's say a bit more about Elton John you can check the back and see on which pages he is mentioned. (quite a lot actually)
This is a perfect book if you just want to read something not so heavy. At the back of the book you will find all the people that were mentioned in the book and where they are known for so if you want to read let's say a bit more about Elton John you can check the back and see on which pages he is mentioned. (quite a lot actually)
April 28, 2011
This book is indeed scandalous. You find out a lot of secrets concerning not only celebrities but also important politicians. It also gives you behind the scenes coverage of the journalism industry. How editors fight for stories, the awards in the industry that matter, the agenda setting that goes on in choosing the articles. It is all in all a very enlightening in terms of insight into an industry that doesn't respect its duty to report unbiased news, and insight into the juicy lives of celebrities and aristocrats.
July 20, 2016
I hated to see it end, it was so interesting. I don't believe everything he says, some of it just makes him out to be too good, even though he does add some pretty good mess ups. I loved the behind the scenes dope on the people and events and I figure it must be at least basically true of he would have been sued to hell and back by now. He tells some pretty private stuff. He never really did say why he was fired though, I would like to know that.
November 16, 2008
the cover might fool you into think this book is full of juicy gossips about celebs. no, not at all.
i'm a pop culture junkie and i'm not from the uk so it was really difficult to follow this with all the politicians (i heard of tony blair of course, but that's it), royal family members and british football talk. it was still interesting though. the press in britain is really weird by the way.
i'm a pop culture junkie and i'm not from the uk so it was really difficult to follow this with all the politicians (i heard of tony blair of course, but that's it), royal family members and british football talk. it was still interesting though. the press in britain is really weird by the way.
July 4, 2011
Piers Morgan is a talent at writing, there is no question about that. His incredible charm documenting his life at a newspaper is really inspriring for a young wannabie journilist. He tells us the facts, his feelings and some cheeky celebrity gossip. I read this book about a year ago and one day I know i will re read it again. My favouite book ever read.
April 6, 2012
I loved this. Piers takes the reader on the adrenaline-fuelled ride he had as editor of 'The Mirror' during the Blair years. He obviously had a ball getting to know the celebs, politicians and movers-and-shakers of the day. And this diary is a funny, high-spirited, eye-opening and entertaining romp.
April 1, 2008
Amazed that I really enjoyed this as I can't stand Piers Morgan and fully expected to find his tone patronising and arrogant. But actually, I enjoyed loving his outlook one minute and despising him the next!
May 17, 2009
It pretends to be a diary, but was all written afterwards. Private Eye spotted that two entries for different days are exactly the same. He keeps boring us with details of the Daily Mirror's "Pride of Britain" awards. Who had ever heard of the "Pride of Britain" awards?
September 8, 2011
It's low of Piers Morgan to write private information, known to him only because he was the editor of the News of the World (newspaper, that was closed down in 2011 after phone hacking scandal), but it is an interesting read.
January 5, 2012
Er cirka halvveis i denne her, selvbiografien til en av de verste tabloidredaktørene i britisk presse. Den er hysterisk underholdende og hylende amoralsk - til tider fullstendig sjokkerende. Du føler deg skitten etter å ha lest enkelte ting som News of The World foretar seg. Anbefales!
September 17, 2014
5 STARS for 'The Insider' .. Am I kidding? Absolutely not. I gathered so much information about the TABS reading Piers Morgan's tell-all, that it substantially changed my screenplay (Adventures in Paradise), and all for the better. Do your research, and it pays. Boy, were those guys scumbags!
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January 17, 2016Whilst I can't stand him, I've been told it's a good book. So I'll check it out. Lyn has control of the Kindle so it's a hard paperback that has to be read now....
Given up - more like revisionist history for me. (Don't usually give up on a book but....)
Given up - more like revisionist history for me. (Don't usually give up on a book but....)
May 2, 2007
I found this very hard to read - most probably because it was written by Piers Morgan. An interesting social document though, I suppose.
October 15, 2007
A fascinating insight into the worlds of celebrity, politics, and newspaper journalism.
Enjoyable from start to finish and, worryingly, you end up slightly liking Piers Morgan
Enjoyable from start to finish and, worryingly, you end up slightly liking Piers Morgan
April 21, 2008
Love him or hate him he writes well. And has stories to tell.
November 10, 2008
Alot of information, very dense but highly entertaining.
January 31, 2009
Fabulously trashy account of the trashiest people in the UK in the 1990's by its trashiest newspaper editor - a great airplane read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews