The powers that be

The Powers That Be is David Halberstam's detailed examination of the American media's influence on politics and public policy.

The book chronicles the rise of four major media organizations: CBS under William S. Paley, Time magazine under Henry Luce, the Washington Post under Philip and Katherine Graham, and the Los Angeles Times under Norman and Otis Chandler.

It explores how these media giants shaped public opinion and policy from the 1930s through the Watergate scandal, highlighting key historical events such as World War II, McCarthyism, the Vietnam War, and the political conventions.

Halberstam provides vivid portraits of the personalities and politics behind these media institutions, illustrating their impact on American history and the interplay between media and politics.