Want to know what books Nick Davies recommends on their reading list? We've researched interviews, social media posts, podcasts, and articles to build a comprehensive list of Nick Davies's favorite book recommendations of all time.
1
Tom Wolfe, T. Wolfe, E. W. Johnson | 3.98
Tom Wolfe introduces a wide range of journalistic reportage by writers including Truman Capote, Terry Southern, George Plimpton, Norman Mailer and Hunter S. Thompson. more Tom Wolfe introduces a wide range of journalistic reportage by writers including Truman Capote, Terry Southern, George Plimpton, Norman Mailer and Hunter S. Thompson. less 
Nick DaviesWhen this was first published, news writing was written in a very strict, often quite staid style. New Journalism used a range of literary techniques commonplace in fiction, for example the use of dialogue or first-hand narrative. At that time they were virtually unheard of in news writing. (Source)
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2
John Stauber, Sheldon Rampton | 4.14
Nick DaviesWhen I started out in journalism, 30-odd years ago, PR copy was a real rarity. If you were writing about crime, you’d call the police station and speak to an officer. If you were writing about healthcare you’d probably speak to a doctor. But these days it’s all fenced off, with press officers and press offices, and all your potential sources have been warned not to speak to the filthy hacks. (Source)
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3
In Harold Evans's classic memoir, he tells the inside story of Rupert Murdoch's takeover of the Times of London and his rise to become a global media power In 1981, Harold Evans was the editor of one of Britain's most prestigious publications, the Sunday Times, which had thrived under his watch. When Australian publishing baron Rupert Murdoch bought the daily Times of London, he persuaded Evans to become its editor with guarantees of editorial independence. But after a year of broken promises and conflict over the paper's direction, Evans departed amid an international media firestorm.... more In Harold Evans's classic memoir, he tells the inside story of Rupert Murdoch's takeover of the Times of London and his rise to become a global media power In 1981, Harold Evans was the editor of one of Britain's most prestigious publications, the Sunday Times, which had thrived under his watch. When Australian publishing baron Rupert Murdoch bought the daily Times of London, he persuaded Evans to become its editor with guarantees of editorial independence. But after a year of broken promises and conflict over the paper's direction, Evans departed amid an international media firestorm. Evans's story is a gripping behind-the-scenes look at Murdoch's ascension to global media magnate. It is Murdoch laid bare, an intimate account of a man using the power of his media empire for his own ends. Riveting, provocative, and insightful, Good Times, Bad Times is as relevant today as when it was first written. This book features a new preface by the author, in which he discusses the Rupert Murdoch phone-hacking scandal. less Nick DaviesWell, yes. But it covers a wider period than that. Harry Evans was a really wonderful editor – and a fantastic journalist. If you asked British journalists today who they think is the best journalist of all time I imagine a large proportion would say Harry Evans, straight off. Under his leadership, the Sunday Times was well ahead of the pack. And you couldn’t tell what its politics were. It’s a... (Source)
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4
In this text, Philip Knightley tells the real story of a life in journalism. He began his career in his native Australia, from where he came to England to begin a long career with the Sunday Times. There he was involved in stories such as the Profumo scandal, and was an expert on espionage. more In this text, Philip Knightley tells the real story of a life in journalism. He began his career in his native Australia, from where he came to England to begin a long career with the Sunday Times. There he was involved in stories such as the Profumo scandal, and was an expert on espionage. less Nick DaviesYes. Knightley is simply an amazing journalist. He was on the Insight investigation team at the Sunday Times while it was under the editorship of Harry Evans. And, as with All the President’s Men, it’s a book that has two different kinds of appeal – for a journalist, it’s full of technical insight about what works, but beyond that, for any reader, it’s just full of great tales. (Source)
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5
Bob Woodward, Carl Bernstein | 4.44
This landmark book details all the events of the biggest political scandal in the history of this nation--Watergate. Woodward and Bernstein kept the headlines coming, delivering revelation after amazing revelation to a shocked public. Black-and-white photograph section. more This landmark book details all the events of the biggest political scandal in the history of this nation--Watergate. Woodward and Bernstein kept the headlines coming, delivering revelation after amazing revelation to a shocked public. Black-and-white photograph section. less Nick DaviesWhat is so good about All the President’s Men is that most books about journalists are full of gun fights and car chases – but that’s just not what the job involves. Woodward and Bernstein simply wrote a great, really detailed account of the work that went into the case. I still use sections from it as case studies when I give lectures. (Source)
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