
"Unscripted" unveils the Redstone dynasty's epic battle for Paramount's media empire - a real-life "Succession" praised by The New York Times as "a model of how gracefully to tell the most grotesque of stories." What dark secrets fueled this billion-dollar family war?
James B. Stewart and Rachel Abrams, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists and New York Times investigative reporters, co-authored Unscripted: The Epic Battle for a Media Empire and the Redstone Family Legacy, a gripping exposé of corporate power struggles and familial dysfunction.
Stewart, a seasoned author of bestselling books like Den of Thieves and Disney War, brings decades of expertise in unraveling high-stakes financial and media scandals. Abrams, known for her sharp coverage of legal and entertainment industry controversies, complements his depth with fresh insights into modern corporate governance.
Their collaboration dissects the collapse of media mogul Sumner Redstone’s empire, blending boardroom intrigue with Shakespearean family drama. Stewart’s prior works, including Deep State and Blood Sport, established him as a master of narrative nonfiction, while Abrams’ reporting on figures like Les Moonves cemented her reputation for tenacious journalism.
Praised by The Wall Street Journal as a Succession-esque saga, Unscripted has been celebrated for its meticulous research and cinematic storytelling, solidifying its status as a defining account of 21st-century media powerbrokers.
Unscripted exposes the tumultuous power struggles within Viacom and CBS, focusing on Sumner Redstone’s media empire, his daughter Shari’s battle for control, and CEO Les Moonves’ sexual misconduct scandals. The Pulitzer-winning journalists reveal boardroom betrayals, corporate greed, and a dysfunctional family’s fight for dominance.
This book is ideal for readers interested in corporate scandals, media industry dynamics, or true stories of power and corruption. Business leaders, journalism students, and fans of investigative nonfiction like Bad Blood or The Big Short will find its insider perspective compelling.
Yes—Unscripted offers a gripping, page-turning account of real-world corporate intrigue, backed by meticulous reporting. Kirkus Reviews calls it “an irresistible morality tale” that dissects toxic leadership and boardroom failures, making it essential for understanding modern media empires.
The book details Shari Redstone’s struggle to reclaim control from her aging father Sumner, whose erratic behavior and relationships with younger partners jeopardized Viacom. It highlights her clashes with boards influenced by Sumner’s long-standing disdain for her leadership.
Les Moonves, CBS’s CEO, emerges as a central antagonist—scheming to undermine Shari Redstone while hiding sexual misconduct allegations. His eventual downfall illustrates systemic failures to hold powerful executives accountable.
While direct quotes aren’t highlighted in reviews, the book’s title reflects its “unvarnished” storytelling. A recurring idea is Sumner Redstone’s mantra: “Content is king”—a phrase underscoring his media legacy.
Unlike Bad Blood or The Big Short, Unscripted focuses on media empires and familial dysfunction. Its dual narrative of corporate and personal collapse aligns it with Succession’s dramatic tone.
Kirkus notes the story’s “sordid” nature but praises its depth. Some readers may find the corporate jargon dense, though the pacing and scandalous details balance this.
The book’s themes—corporate governance failures, #MeToo accountability, and streaming-industry upheaval—remain critical as media mergers and workplace ethics debates persist.
Stewart and Abrams leveraged court documents, insider interviews, and boardroom records. Stewart’s legal and journalism expertise (Pulitzer winner, Columbia professor) ensures rigorous sourcing.
Stewart, a Pulitzer Prize journalist and Columbia professor, has authored bestsellers like Den of Thieves and DisneyWar. His investigative rigor and legal background provide unmatched access to corporate malfeasance.
Siente el libro a través de la voz del autor
Convierte el conocimiento en ideas atractivas y llenas de ejemplos
Captura ideas clave en un instante para un aprendizaje rápido
Disfruta el libro de una manera divertida y atractiva
Sumner seemed to develop a sense of invincibility.
Sumner let Moonves "run with the ball."
"Nobody in the entertainment industry is rising as fast as Shari."
Sumner undermined her.
Shari does not have the requisite business judgment.
Desglosa las ideas clave de Unscripted en puntos fáciles de entender para comprender cómo los equipos innovadores crean, colaboran y crecen.
Experimenta Unscripted a través de narraciones vívidas que convierten las lecciones de innovación en momentos que recordarás y aplicarás.
Pregunta cualquier cosa, elige tu estilo de aprendizaje y co-crea ideas que realmente resuenen contigo.

Creado por exalumnos de la Universidad de Columbia en San Francisco
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Creado por exalumnos de la Universidad de Columbia en San Francisco

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In the rarefied air of Hollywood power, few stories rival the Shakespearean drama that unfolded at CBS and Viacom. When 95-year-old media titan Sumner Redstone's iron grip began to falter, what followed was an epic battle for control that would expose the darkest corners of corporate America. This wasn't just another business dispute - it was a perfect storm where family betrayal, sexual misconduct, and corporate warfare collided with devastating consequences. As the #MeToo movement gained momentum, the saga became a referendum on accountability in the entertainment industry, revealing how powerful men like Les Moonves maintained systems that enabled decades of misconduct. The story captivated business leaders and media insiders alike, with Warren Buffett calling it "the most revealing look at corporate America I've ever read." Beyond the boardroom intrigue lies a profoundly human story about ambition, betrayal, and the complicated relationship between a father and daughter fighting for control of a $30 billion empire.
Sumner Redstone's transformation from Boston theater operator to media titan was catalyzed by a devastating 1979 hotel fire. Despite suffering permanent disfigurement requiring 30 reconstructive surgeries, his relentless determination during recovery only fueled his ambition. He built his empire through aggressive corporate raids, acquiring Viacom, Paramount, and CBS in fierce battles that established his "content is king" philosophy as industry doctrine. His opponents consistently underestimated his strategic brilliance and iron will. His personal life matched his business intensity. From his Beverly Hills mansion - complete with an enormous tropical fish tank and wall-to-wall stock tickers - he'd begin calling East Coast executives at 4:00 a.m., maintaining obsessive control over his empire. Key allies included the deferential lawyer Philippe Dauman and Les Moonves, who led CBS to ratings dominance. But as Sumner entered his 90s, growing eccentricities - including obsessions with immortality and renewed sexual impulses - created instability that would eventually spark a battle for control.
As a Harvard-educated lawyer and successful businesswoman, Shari Redstone faced constant undermining from her father Sumner, who publicly declared she would "absolutely, positively, irrevocably" never lead his company. After her divorce, she joined National Amusements part-time, successfully expanding the theater chain internationally. Yet in the male-dominated media industry, she faced persistent discrimination - Viacom president Mel Karmazin called her "Sumner in a skirt" and mocked her presence at meetings. Sumner routinely dismissed her ideas publicly while privately asking executives to "take care of her." Their relationship worsened when he split Viacom into two companies against her wishes and transferred failing investments to National Amusements, devaluing her 20% stake. The conflict intensified when Sumner began sending hostile emails about his daughter to executives. During National Amusements' 2008 financial crisis, Shari leveraged her position by threatening legal action over his self-dealing. The resulting settlement preserved her stake and secured her employment, though their relationship remained strained. Despite all obstacles, Shari's persistence proved vital - she was playing the long game in an industry where few believed a woman could succeed.
In his late 80s, Sumner fell under the influence of Sydney Holland and Manuela Herzer. After Holland met him through a matchmaker in 2010, both women moved into his Beverly Park mansion, becoming his gatekeepers. Their control proved lucrative. In 2013 alone, they received $9.1 million in gifts and charged $3.5 million to Sumner's credit cards. Each secured estate provisions worth $20-45 million, plus stakes in his mansion and foundation. In 2014, they orchestrated their biggest windfall - convincing Sumner to liquidate $236 million in stock options, with $90 million of the after-tax proceeds split between them. The scheme unraveled when Holland began an affair with George Pilgrim, an actor with a criminal record, lavishing him with gifts including a $3.5 million house. After a hospitalized Sumner discovered the betrayal, Holland was expelled. Herzer briefly gained full control but was soon ousted when her own deceptions surfaced, leading to Sumner's reconciliation with his daughter Shari.
While publicly supporting the #MeToo movement in 2017, CBS CEO Les Moonves concealed his own history of misconduct, even joining a commission on sexual harassment. The allegations were damaging. Retired TV producer Phyllis Golden-Gottlieb reported sexual assault from the 1980s, including forced oral sex. A police captain leaked her confidential report to CBS executives. Dr. Anne Peters reported Moonves assaulted her during a 1999 medical appointment, but was warned about his legal resources. Board member Arnold Kopelson dismissed her claims as "trivial." Actress Bobbie Phillips' case proved decisive. After a traumatic 1995 encounter, she refused further contact. When #MeToo gained momentum, Moonves told her manager, "If Bobbie talks, I'm finished" - leading to implied offers for her silence. Ronan Farrow's New Yorker expose featuring six women's allegations dropped CBS shares 7 percent. A second article with six more victims, plus a Vanity Fair piece about Dr. Peters, ended Moonves's sixteen-year tenure. The board withdrew his $70 million severance package.
Shari's proposed Viacom-CBS merger stalled over leadership disputes. CBS wanted Moonves as CEO, while Viacom backed Bakish. Amid brewing #MeToo allegations, Moonves sought protection against termination "for cause." CBS then deployed their "nuclear option" - a special dividend to reduce National Amusements' voting control from 80% to 17%. After voting to block the merger and sue Shari, Moonves embraced the conflict with Godfather references: "Mattresses tomorrow... And take the gun." The lawsuit news devastated Shari at the Pierre Hotel. "I'm shaking... I'm in shock," she told her lawyer, deciding to abandon the merger if Moonves resisted. National Amusements countered by requiring 90 percent majority for dividends, securing Shari's veto power. Despite an initial court victory, CBS's position weakened after Moonves's downfall. The merger finally succeeded in December 2019, creating ViacomCBS (later Paramount Global), with Bakish as CEO and Shari as chair. Her subsequent appearance on Forbes' most powerful women list marked a dramatic reversal from her father's earlier criticism.
Shari reformed CBS's male-centric culture, appointing Susan Zirinsky as the first female CBS News chief and establishing a female board majority. Her faith in the merger and Bakish's leadership proved correct as Viacom rebounded, securing cable operator deals and acquiring Pluto TV. When Sumner Redstone died at 97 on October 11, 2020, Shari kept an open line during his final hours, recounting his achievements and vowing to protect the family business. After his passing, she sought confirmation of her father's love from his longtime colleague. At the Boston family plot, Shari knelt at his grave, sharing her unspoken words. Honoring his request, she sang Frank Sinatra's "My Way" - a song she had always disliked but now performed completely, repeating the signature line "I did it my way." This saga demonstrates how even mighty empires hinge on human connections. The Redstone story illustrates power's corrupting influence, board failures under charismatic leadership, and the inevitability of accountability. It reveals how one woman overcame a male-dominated industry to assume her rightful position, bringing needed reform to a major American media company.