Rating: 
Summary: A must-read summer vacation book!
Review: At last, Archer brings us back to the classic man-against-man novel, as in his successful "Kane and Abel". This is a must-read novel, full of wonderful character development, clever, yet manipulative story lines and riveting endings at each chapter.From the opening chapter the reader is totally immersed in the two main characters -- Armstrong and Townsend, from two completely different backgrounds. Their lives seem lifelike, and not plastic and phony, like many authors characters. The reader becomes emotionally attached to one of the charcters, and cheers for their favorite one, right until the bitter end. The plot twists are so remarkable, and riveting, it is easy to read 200+ pages in one sitting! One wonders how Archer continually comes up with such brilliant ideas. The only bad thing about this 750 page novel was reading the last chapter. If only all novels were this excellent
Rating:
Summary: Bravo Jeffrey Archer!
Review: I consider every minute I spent trying to get into this book a waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: run of the mill and a big waste of time
Review: One of the insipid novels I regret having laid hands upon.
Rating: 
Summary: Media Moguals - The Dark Side
Review: Some reviewers state there is no heros in this book - it's about the least objectionable person. They are right. It's thinly disguested Maxwell and Murdoch. It's no wonder they sued to stop publicication of the work.
Each character has their share of sleeze. Both were willing to do whatever it took to come out on top. But neither had the good sense to recognize when they should let it go... and let the other ruin each other.
Indeed, ask yourself before the end - which man deserves to triumph. The best of them, the worst of them, neither, or just one of them. The answer might not be what you think.
Rating: 
Summary: A Novel of Deception and Greed
Review: The backdrop for this novel is the greed for power and money found in the world of mass media conglomerates. It seems the primary motivation of the characters is greed and a lust for more whether its power or prestige. I'm not convinced that this book makes anyone think any original thoughts. It seems to be a basic plot that was not that difficult to originate.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining
Review: The best part of the novel is the early life of Lubji and Keith. They are really charming characters as young boys, but then they turn into disgusting adults. What I like most about Archer's books is the richness in cultural content. I can say that I learned more details about British culture from these novels than I could have done from any other source. I also learned to read and write English through Archer's books. Whenever I write a piece of text or speak in English I can't help making use of phrases and ideas I read in the Fourth Estate, As the Crow Flies, the Prodigal Daughter and all these books. I've even started to write my own stories following his style which I hope to publish someday. I think Archer should write the biography of a real-world leader like Helmut Kohl (rise and fall), Pope John Paul II or tycoon Bill Gates.
Rating:
Summary: Heard the taped version of THE FOURTH ESTATE.
Review: THE FOURTH ESTATE by Jeffrey Archer (author of KANE & ABEL, one of my favorite novels of all time) . . .this tale again involves two men . . . though from different backgrounds, they stand face-to-face in an attempt to beat each other and control the biggest media empire in the world . . . I was interested in the stories
of their respective childhoods; by the time they reached middle age, however, I had lost interest in what happened to either of them . . . the ending also did little for me.
Rating:
Summary: Heard the taped version of THE FOURTH ESTATE.
Review: THE FOURTH ESTATE by Jeffrey Archer (author of KANE & ABEL, one of my favorite novels of all time) . . .this tale again involves two men . . . though from different backgrounds, they stand face-to-face in an attempt to beat each other and control the biggest media empire in the world . . . I was interested in the stories
of their respective childhoods; by the time they reached middle age, however, I had lost interest in what happened to either of them . . . the ending also did little for me.
Rating:
Summary: Dreadful Drivel
Review: This book is an incredible waste of time. Two amoral main characters do not make for an interesting read. Archer goes on at imponderable length to describe the lives of these two slugs passing as kings of the publishing industry. Do not waste your time or money reading this pile of crap.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: To those who have read Kane & Abel, The Fourth Estate is a bit of deja vu. The plot is essentially the same. Two men - one a refugee from a war, the other an Ivy League-educated millionaire get pitted against each other and will not cease until the other man is driven out of business. The action is rivetting and makes the book a compelling page-turner. The book is actually based on real-life characters, and a few real incidents too. Readers will find it tough not to see the similarity between Keith Townsend and Rupert Murdoch. The way the story is woven is also reminiscent of Kane & Abel, however the book does not sag one wee bit in action. I assign five stars to this book because that's the maximum!
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