Paper Losses

By Bryan Gruley,

Book cover of Paper Losses: A Modern Epic of Greed and Betrayal at America's Two Largest Newspaper Companies

Book description

Gruley writes of the 25-year struggle between the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press--two proud, family-owned newspapers that became pawns in the hands of the largest newspaper chains of our time, Gannett and Knight-Ridder. A tale of greed and power, of Wall Street and the courts.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Why read it?

1 author picked Paper Losses as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

The big Detroit newspaper market eventually narrowed down to two newspapers--the News and Free Press--neither of which could knock out the other while neither could turn a profit in a competitive market. This is the story of the struggle of the two greatest newspaper chains--Gannett and Knight-Ridder--to forge a “joint operating agreement” allowing them to merge production and business efforts while retaining separate newsrooms. Few participants cared much about editorial standards as the rush for huge profits drove the process. In the end, it all came a cropper. It’s a sordid tale in many ways but a riveting one.

Want books like Paper Losses?

Our community of 11,000+ authors has personally recommended 90 books like Paper Losses.

Browse books like Paper Losses

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in journalism, Detroit, and presidential biography?

Journalism 40 books
Detroit 53 books