Ken Auletta

Ken Auletta is an American journalist and author known for his in-depth coverage of media and technology industries. As a longstanding media critic for The New Yorker since 1992, he has written extensively about the changing landscape of communications and digital technology. His notable works include "Three Blind Mice" (1991), which examined the major television networks, and "Googled: The End of the World as We Know It" (2009), a detailed exploration of Google's rise to prominence. Auletta's "Backstory" series for The New Yorker has become a significant chronicle of media industry developments. Born in Brooklyn in 1942, Auletta's career spans several decades of journalism and media criticism. His work has earned him multiple National Magazine Awards, and he has published numerous books examining various aspects of media, technology, and business culture. Beyond his writing career, Auletta has served as a political columnist for the New York Daily News and has appeared as a media commentator on various television programs. He is a graduate of SUNY Oswego and holds a master's degree from Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Readers consistently praise Auletta's depth of research and insider access in his media industry coverage. His books receive high marks for clear explanations of complex business dynamics and technological changes. What readers liked: - Detailed reporting with exclusive interviews - Clear breakdown of industry power structures - Historical context that stays relevant - Balanced perspective on controversial figures What readers disliked: - Some find his writing style dry and academic - Books can become dated quickly due to rapid industry changes - Occasional repetition of points - Too much detail for casual readers seeking quick insights Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Average 3.8/5 across all books - "Googled" (2009): 3.7/5 from 2,800+ ratings - "Frenemies" (2018): 3.6/5 from 500+ ratings Amazon: Average 4/5 across titles - Multiple reviews note his "thorough research" - Critics cite "dense writing style" One reader on Goodreads summarized: "Exhaustive reporting but requires patience to get through the technical details."

Three Blind Mice: How the TV Networks Lost Their Way (1991) Examines the decline of ABC, CBS, and NBC's dominance in television broadcasting during the late 1980s.

Googled: The End of the World as We Know It (2009) Chronicles Google's rise from startup to global technology giant and its impact on traditional media businesses.

Media Man: Ted Turner's Improbable Empire (2004) Details Ted Turner's career and the creation of his media empire, including CNN and Turner Broadcasting.

World War 3.0: Microsoft and Its Enemies (2001) Documents Microsoft's antitrust battle with the U.S. government and its competitors in the tech industry.

The Highwaymen: Warriors of the Information Superhighway (1997) Analyzes the key figures and companies competing to control digital communications infrastructure.

The Streets Were Paved with Gold (1979) Examines New York City's financial crisis of the 1970s and its impact on urban governance.

The Art of Corporate Success (1985) Studies the management strategies of successful American corporations through detailed case studies.

The Underclass (1982) Investigates poverty in America and the social conditions affecting economically disadvantaged communities.

Michael Lewis He specializes in detailed investigations of business and technology transformations, similar to Auletta's approach to covering industry disruption. His books like "The Big Short" and "Flash Boys" examine how technology and innovation reshape established industries.

David Kirkpatrick As a technology journalist who wrote "The Facebook Effect," he provides deep analysis of tech companies and their cultural impact. His coverage of Silicon Valley parallels Auletta's work on digital transformation, focusing on how tech companies gain and maintain power.

James B. Stewart His work combines investigative reporting with narrative storytelling about business and media power structures. Stewart's books like "DisneyWar" examine corporate leadership and industry dynamics in ways that complement Auletta's media industry analysis.

Tim Wu He writes about the intersection of technology, media, and power structures in books like "The Master Switch" and "The Attention Merchants." Wu's examination of how communication technologies evolve and impact society aligns with Auletta's coverage of media transformation.

Walter Isaacson His focus on technology leaders and innovation through works like "Steve Jobs" and "The Innovators" mirrors Auletta's interest in digital pioneers. Isaacson documents how individual leaders and companies reshape industries through technological advancement.