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Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency Paperback – May 16, 2017

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 978 ratings

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“Magisterial. ... A must read for anyone who wants to work in Hollywood or just know how Hollywood works.”
   — The Hollywood Reporter

A New York Times bestseller, now updated with an afterword and exclusive new material

From the #1 bestselling author behind acclaimed oral histories of Saturday Night Live and ESPN comes "the most hotly anticipated book [in decades]" (Variety): James Andrew Miller's irresistible insider chronicle of the modern entertainment industry, told through the epic story of Creative Artists Agency (CAA)—the ultimate power player that has represented the world's biggest stars and shaped the landscape of film, television, comedy, music, and sports.

Started in 1975, when five bright and brash upstarts left creaky William Morris to form their own innovative talent agency, CAA would come to revolutionize Hollywood, representing everyone from Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and Steven Spielberg to Jennifer Lawrence, J.J. Abrams, Will Smith, and Brad Pitt. Over the next decades its tentacles would spread aggressively into sports, advertising, and digital media. Powerhouse is the fascinating, no-holds-barred saga of that ascent. Drawing on unprecedented and exclusive access to the men and women who built and battled with CAA—including co-founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer and rivals like Ari Emanuel of William Morris Endeavor—as well as the stars themselves, Miller spins a unique and unforgettable tale of brilliance, ambition, betrayal, and outrageous success.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

Powerhouse delivers a chronicle of vaunting ambition, immense wealth and power, and personal betrayal all the more astonishing in a business ostensibly built on loyalty and trust… Even more impressive is Miller’s ability to get nearly everyone involved not only to talk but also go on the record.” — New York Times Book Review

“Magisterial. ... One of the two most important books about the business of entertainment to come out in 2016. ... A must read for anyone who wants to work in Hollywood or just know how Hollywood works.” — The Hollywood Reporter

“It’s dishy. It’s like People Magazine meets ‘The Godfather.’ It’s like nothing else. I ate it up.” — New York Post

“Eminently readable and moves at a fast pace thanks to dozens of fascinating celebrity stories.” — Mashable

“The year’s hottest Hollywood tell-all.” — New York Daily News

“Probably the most hotly anticipated book since Julia Phillips’s tell-all YOU’LL NEVER EAT LUNCH IN THIS TOWN AGAIN dropped more than two decades ago.” — Variety

“[F]un to read both for the boldface names - including agency founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer, and clients like Magic Johnson and Ali MacGraw - and for a glimpse into a largely unseen world of cultural influencers.” — The National Book Review

From the Back Cover

NOW UPDATED WITH AN AFTERWORD AND EXCLUSIVE NEW MATERIAL

From the #1 bestselling author behind acclaimed oral histories of Saturday Night Live and ESPN comes “the most hotly anticipated book [in decades]” (Variety): James Andrew Miller’s irresistible insider chronicle of the modern entertainment industry, told through the epic story of Creative Artists Agency (CAA)—the ultimate power player that has represented the world’s biggest stars and shaped the landscape of film, television, comedy, music, and sports.

Started in 1975, when five bright and brash upstarts left creaky William Morris to form their own innovative talent agency, CAA would come to revolutionize Hollywood, representing everyone from Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and Steven Spielberg to Jennifer Lawrence, J.J. Abrams, Will Smith, and Brad Pitt. Over the next decades its tentacles would spread aggressively into sports, advertising, and digital media. Powerhouse is the fascinating, no-holds-barred saga of that ascent. Drawing on unprecedented and exclusive access to the men and women who built and battled with CAA—including co-founders Michael Ovitz and Ron Meyer and rivals like Ari Emanuel of William Morris Endeavor—as well as the stars themselves, Miller spins a unique and unforgettable tale of brilliance, ambition, betrayal, and outrageous success.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books; Reprint edition (May 16, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 768 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062441388
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062441386
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.23 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 978 ratings

About the author

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James Andrew Miller
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www.jamesandrewmiller.com

JAMES ANDREW MILLER is an award-winning journalist and co-author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World of ESPN; Live from New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live as Told by Its Stars, Writers, and Guests, which spent four months on the New York Times bestseller list; and Running in Place: Inside the Senate, also a bestseller. He has written for The Washington Post, The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and many other publications. He is a graduate of Occidental College, Oxford University, and Harvard Business School, all with honors.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
978 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable to read. They appreciate the comprehensive storytelling and interesting insights into the industry. The book provides a compelling look into the inner workings of Hollywood and its power players. Readers enjoy the well-developed characters and their interactions with celebrities. However, some feel the length is excessive.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

63 customers mention "Readability"46 positive17 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They appreciate the stories and insights into how the agency was founded and grew. Many describe it as a fun read with excellent stories and anecdotes about celebrities. The first half of the book is appreciated for its entertaining content and insightful business analysis.

"...Miller is an excellent writer and Powerhouse is full of great stories, giving you a peek into the entertainment world and -- for me -- many reasons I..." Read more

"...recommend this book, especially for those who love the intersection of entertainment and business." Read more

"...It is quite fascinating to read how the agency was founded, how it grew, and how it dealt with the resulting problems that come with huge growth...." Read more

"...That is not to say that the book is not very well done, as it is of the same general quality of the other books...." Read more

48 customers mention "Storytelling"43 positive5 negative

Customers find the storytelling engaging and informative. They appreciate the access to the players and their insights into their lives, affairs, and interactions with celebrities. The book provides a detailed account of one of Hollywood's most powerful firms and is considered balanced by readers.

"...Miller is an excellent writer and Powerhouse is full of great stories, giving you a peek into the entertainment world and -- for me -- many reasons I..." Read more

"...It is organized in an oral history fashion which is a format that I happen to like...." Read more

"It's packed full of insider points of view. So it's very interesting in that respect...." Read more

"...He chooses interesting subjects, gains great access and provides comprehensive storytelling...." Read more

23 customers mention "Information quality"19 positive4 negative

Customers find the book provides valuable insights into the talent agency industry. They appreciate the thorough research and business lessons it offers. The details provided provide a good understanding of the company and its people. Readers also mention that the book provides an interesting look at the mindset of agents and how they function.

"...It does provide an interesting insight into the mindset of agents, how they function, what the job entails, and the "it's-good-to-be-King"..." Read more

"...of Mike Ovitz with fascination and still consider him an incredible businessman. The one I'd most like to have lunch with...." Read more

"...The meticulous research on a company that might be the original "change agent" in an iconic industry invites you on a fun, roller coaster of..." Read more

"...most important institutions in Hollywood, and the incredible people who created and built it, and changed the way Hollywood does business...." Read more

18 customers mention "Insight"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an insightful look into the workings of CAA and Hollywood. They find it compelling and packed with insider views. The book is described as a treasure trove of eye-openers for anyone interested in the creative industry.

"...On a positive note, it was certainly an interesting look into a world totally alien to me...." Read more

"...It includes interviews from all the principle founders of CAA, CAA agents, agents from other competitive agencies, executives and celebrities...." Read more

"...But all this said, it's a treasure trove of eye openers for anyone who has or aspires to have a big shot agent looking out for their career...." Read more

"...Their candor is stunning. To hear first hand accounts of Ovitz going in to depression is so counter to his persona...." Read more

5 customers mention "Characterization"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's characterization. They find the personalities come alive in the pages, with brief stories on well-known actors, actresses, writers, directors, and other main Hollywood characters. The book covers their lives, affairs, and interactions with celebrities.

"...It is filled with brief stories on well-known actors, actresses, writers, directors, etc, swapping firms, sometimes for legitimate reasons and..." Read more

"...Interesting anecdotes about their lives, affairs, and interactions with celebrities...." Read more

"...The personalities come alive in these pages." Read more

"A huge tale spanning 40 years. All the main Hollywood characters. And the most balanced version of the story yet...." Read more

4 customers mention "Hollywood background"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book provides an interesting behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood. They find it an eye-opening look into the business side of Hollywood, although it's focused more on personalities.

"An eye opening look into the business side of Hollywood, although focused more on the personalities and especially egos of the founders of CAA...." Read more

"...the incredible people who created and built it, and changed the way Hollywood does business...." Read more

"...So I was entertained easily. Still it's an interesting behind the scenes look at Hollywood." Read more

"...An incredible look inside how Hollywood really operates." Read more

13 customers mention "Length"3 positive10 negative

Customers find the book too long. They describe it as like an overly long screenplay.

"...It is a long book but it kept my interest from beginning to end...." Read more

"...It's a bit like an insanely long screenplay; a soap opera that keeps you engaged because you think there might be a juicy tidbit coming soon....and..." Read more

"...If you are open to a very long book about a fascinating store and enjoy business drama, you'll enjoy this." Read more

"...The book is about 300-350 pages too long, this one really needed to go through a vicious editing process...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017
    If you like the "business" end of show business, this is the book for you. Miller is an excellent writer and Powerhouse is full of great stories, giving you a peek into the entertainment world and -- for me -- many reasons I'm glad not to be a part of it. The creation, evolution, and growth pains of CAA are told through its many voices, the owners, the workers, and the clientele. Miller's style is very different and may be jarring to some readers. I would advise getting used to it, as you are in for a fun ride here. All the complaints here on Amazon relate to his essentially quoting verbatim his interviews with the book's characters. It's really a massive interview, so one needs to settle down into that literary formula. You'll hear about Hollywood's glad-handling and backstabbing. I found myself laughing out loud at parts (an agent guarantees his client makes a flight to Paris by calling in a bomb threat to delay take-off. Stuff like that you can't make up). Buy and enjoy!
    11 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2016
    The reason I chose to read this is due to having really enjoyed the books on ESPN and SNL. This one was definitely a dryer subject matter for me, and I can’t say that I enjoyed it as much as the other books. That is not to say that the book is not very well done, as it is of the same general quality of the other books. The advantage the other books had for me was being more familiar with the subject matter. I found the CAA story sometime hard to keep track of just who was who in the book, especially in the 2nd half. There were times where it really dragged for me. On a positive note, it was certainly an interesting look into a world totally alien to me. The bottom line for me is that I did enjoy reading it, but nearly as much as the two other books.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2016
    I'm an entertainment and pop culture junkie so this book was already right up my alley. I know about agencies and heard the names CAA and Endeavor and so forth but didn't have any idea what agencies were or what they did for people. The book is a history from the very beginning of CAA in the 70s right up to the present day. It includes interviews from all the principle founders of CAA, CAA agents, agents from other competitive agencies, executives and celebrities. It is organized in an oral history fashion which is a format that I happen to like. Each section has a narrative introduction but otherwise it is all an oral history.

    I've read other reviews that accuse the book of being biased towards CAA or sugarcoating the events but I didn't get that feeling as I was reading it. There are plenty of dissenting views and not very flattering descriptions from quite a few people directed at CAA. There are a few people that you can tell still work there and need to toe the company line and sound like an infomercial but they're pretty easy to identify.

    It is a long book but it kept my interest from beginning to end. It goes into some extreme detail that might be boring to some but which I found fascinating (especially the parts about sports representation).
    9 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2016
    It's packed full of insider points of view. So it's very interesting in that respect. However, that positive comes at the cost of a rather odd style - the author has assembled quotes from those involved so that if a particular issue is covered one gets the POV of maybe 2-3-4 people involved in the event. And I assume these are pretty much verbatim quotes. Which is good if one is interested in hearing how the subjects talk, idioms, syntax, how they make a point - which is very useful -- but it's not literature, it's not a single voice narrative. So I found it a little emotionally rootless. It's more of a reporting style. There are so many contributors. Though the author would orient the reader to the players and their hierarchy I kept forgetting who had done what and said what which was important in reading the subtext of their commentary. I was familiar with a number of the names so had a vague notion of what was going on at the time, but I really could get lost if I left the book a few days or weeks and tried to come back to it. But all this said, it's a treasure trove of eye openers for anyone who has or aspires to have a big shot agent looking out for their career. It's about how the sausage is made.
    18 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Joseph
    5.0 out of 5 stars Better than expected
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 5, 2023
    It's not quite the consistently back-patting puff piece that many people on here seem to think it is. It's an even-handed book which isn't afraid to incorporate quotes which suggest that there is a dark side or dubious element to Michael Ovitz and CAA in general.
  • VDubs76
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating book!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 7, 2017
    I'm amazed at how thorough this inside look into the workings of CAA managed to be. To have 500+ people interviewed and give their versions of their time at the agency (or competing with the agency!), and then put the interviews together in such a way as to tell a complete story - amazing. I didn't want to put it down. Fascinating read for anyone who ever wonders about the inner workings of the entertainment world.
  • Amazon Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another fantastic oral history
    Reviewed in Canada on January 13, 2022
    Like Live From New York (SNL), and Those Guys Have All the Fun (ESPN), Power House is another fascinating and thoroughly addictive oral history from James Andrew Miller. All of the key players are interesting characters and excellent storytellers, and they deliver even the most boring details about the business with an infectious enthusiasm that never lets the narrative dip... UNTIL CAA gets into sports representation. To me there was a noticeable, even drastic, change in the book once things started to focus on that side. I have to assume that that part of the business is just as exciting as the entertainment side, but the people involved just come of as dull, dull, dull. You know when you watch a movie about an office and there are scenes which are meant to poke fun at the ridiculousness of corporate life, where characters speak in insufferable business speak, using meaningless jargon and new agey sounding business phrases? These are the guys those movies are making fun of. The book literally goes from people who speak passionately about their work to people who sound like empty husks of business drones. Thankfully, that only accounts for maybe 100 pages of the 700, but it comes right at the end, so it's a bit of a bummer to finish on. That said, the book is, on the whole, excellent and highly recommended.
  • Kaydor
    4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 15, 2016
    Arrived on time and as described
  • kristina
    5.0 out of 5 stars Faboulous read. The stories in this book show the ...
    Reviewed in Canada on October 30, 2016
    Faboulous read. The stories in this book show the buliding of hollywood.