My Trade

My Trade is a memoir and industry exposé by British journalist Andrew Marr that examines modern journalism through both personal experience and historical context. The book draws from Marr's decades of work across newspapers and broadcasting, including his roles at The Independent and the BBC. Marr traces the evolution of British media from the 1970s through the early 2000s, exploring how technology, ownership structures, and cultural shifts have transformed news delivery and consumption. He provides an insider's perspective on newsroom dynamics, political coverage, and the challenging relationship between journalists and their subjects. The narrative alternates between Marr's career progression and broader analysis of journalistic practices, ethics, and institutional pressures. His account includes experiences from local reporting to national politics, detailing the mechanics of news gathering and the complex decisions behind story selection. The book serves as both a practical guide to journalism's methods and a critical examination of the profession's impact on democracy. Through his dual role as practitioner and observer, Marr raises questions about media responsibility and the future of news in an increasingly digital landscape.

Readers found the book offers practical insights into British journalism from Marr's first-hand experience at major newspapers. Multiple reviews note its value as a behind-the-scenes look at newsrooms and editorial decisions. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of how news gets selected and shaped - Humorous anecdotes from Marr's career - Historical context about UK press development - Insider perspective on political reporting Common criticisms: - Too much personal career history - Occasionally defensive tone about journalism - Some sections feel dated - Limited coverage of broadcast journalism Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (127 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Great primer on how newspapers actually work" - Goodreads reviewer "Self-indulgent in parts but fascinating on editorial processes" - Amazon UK review "More memoir than textbook, which wasn't what I expected" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔷 Andrew Marr wrote "My Trade" after serving as the BBC's Political Editor, offering rare insights into the relationships between journalists and politicians in Britain's corridors of power 🔷 The book reveals that Marr initially failed to get into any journalism training scheme and was rejected by every newspaper he applied to before finally landing his first job 🔷 Before becoming one of Britain's most recognized political journalists, Marr worked as a comic strip writer for a children's newspaper called "Banana" 🔷 In researching the history of journalism for the book, Marr discovered that the term "journalist" was originally an insult, referring to someone who merely kept a daily record of events 🔷 The book's title "My Trade" comes from a quote by G.K. Chesterton, who described journalism as "a trade for which one qualifies by not qualifying"