Mail Men: The Unauthorized Story of the Daily Mail

Perhaps because of the power and fear that the Daily Mail commands, this is the very first book to provide an unauthorized account of the newspaper with more global readers than any other. With a gripping personality-led narrative, informed by well-placed sources, Mail Men investigates the secret behind the Mail’s extraordinary longevity and commercial success, from its first edition on 4 May 1896, to its global MailOnline website today. But, it also examines the controversies that have beset the paper - from its owner’s flirtation with fascism in the 1930s to its fractious relationship with liberals, celebrities and politicians today.

Like being a fly on the wall at one of the most influential offices in the land, Mail Men is the unofficial story of an institution that has become the self-proclaimed voice of middle England, and the adversary of liberals everywhere. Journalist Adrian Addison gives us a revealing insight into the colourful cast of senior ‘Mail-Men’ (yes, nearly all men) who have moulded the paper through the decades - from Alfred C. Harmsworth, the Mail’s founder and first owner to Paul Dacre the awkward reporter who has become one of the most feared, hated, secretive, and respected editors in Britain. An absorbing history of one of the most divisive yet successful newspapers in print today, this is an essential read if you wish to understand modern Britain.