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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Unscripted summary
James B Stewart
Rachel Abrams
The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy
17 mins
Brief summary
Unscripted by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams is a fascinating account of how Wall Street's biggest dealmakers managed to cash out during private-equity's boom times. The authors reveal the inner workings of Wall Street's power players and their secretive deals.
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Unscripted
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Key idea 1 of 5
Meet the Redstones
Most people who are lucky enough to reach their nineties revel in the peace and quiet that typically accompanies old age.
But that wasn’t the case for Sumner Redstone. In the years leading up to his death, at the age of 97, there were business battles, explosive family fights, glamorous younger lovers, and multiple lawsuits.
Then again, there had rarely been a dull moment in Sumner’s life. As a young man, before going to Harvard Law School, he’d joined the military, where he helped crack codes in Japanese.
Then he became a media mogul – the chairman of Viacom and CBS. With his ambition and business acumen, he ended up with an estimated worth of more than $2.5 billion.
Sumner was tough – a survivor. In 1979, there was a fire outside his hotel room. Sumner tried to escape out a window, and hung from the ledge while his arm was engulfed by the flames.
“The pain was excruciating,” Sumner later recalled in his autobiography, “but I refused to let go.”
By the way, he wasn’t alone in that hotel room – he was there with one of his many lovers.
Sumner remained married to his first wife, Phyllis, for more than 50 years … until she decided she’d finally had enough of his serial infidelities.
We’ll come back to Sumner’s complicated love life in a bit. But first, we need to understand his relationship with another woman – his daughter.
Shari Redstone shared her father’s intelligence and business skills. Forbes magazine once ranked her as one of the most powerful women in the world – above Queen Elizabeth II.
Shari was the president of National Amusements. And as Sumner’s health declined, she became increasingly involved in Viacom and CBS, with the expectation that she would take over after his death.
It should have been a dream team – father and daughter working together. However, it was anything but. According to people who knew them, Shari adored her father and craved his approval. But they would often clash over business decisions.
For example, in 2004, Sumner and Shari butted heads over plans to split Viacom into two separate companies: Viacom and CBS.
These kinds of disputes enraged Sumner. He would bombard Shari with profanity-filled emails, copying Viacom executives into the threads. On multiple occasions, he called her the “c-word.”
When Sumner’s lawyer begged him to tone it down, Sumner got even angrier. He would call his daughter whatever he wanted.
And the relationship between father and daughter would become even more strained in the years to come.
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What is Unscripted about?
Unscripted (2023) is the outrageous true story of Sumner Redstone, the former chairman and controlling shareholder of ViacomCBS (now Paramount Global). It focuses on the eventful final years of Redstone’s life, as well as the downfall of his successor at CBS, Les Moonves.
Unscripted Review
Unscripted (2021) is a fascinating exploration of the behind-the-scenes world of Hollywood deal-making and the power dynamics at play. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Its insider perspective offers unique insights into the inner workings of the entertainment industry, making it a captivating read for both industry professionals and curious enthusiasts.
- By delving into real-life examples and drawing on extensive research, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by those in Hollywood.
- The authors' engaging storytelling ensures that the book is anything but boring, bringing to life the high-stakes negotiations and power struggles that shape the entertainment world.
Who should read Unscripted?
- Fans of TV dramas like Succession
- People who enjoy juicy nonfiction and true crime
- Anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes glimpse of corporate America
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Unscripted FAQs
What is the main message of Unscripted?
Unscripted offers insights on business and the economy with real-life anecdotes and data.
How long does it take to read Unscripted?
The estimated reading time for Unscripted varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Unscripted a good book? Is it worth reading?
Unscripted is worth reading for its valuable perspective on business and economics.
Who is the author of Unscripted?
Unscripted is written by James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams.
What to read after Unscripted?
If you're wondering what to read next after Unscripted, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How Not to Age by Michael Greger
- The Toyota Way by Jeffrey K. Liker
- The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
- Scaling People by Claire Hughes Johnson
- Genome by Matt Ridley
- Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson
- An Immense World by Ed Yong
- Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
- Power Failure by William D. Cohan
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman