I've just finished Joe Astons book, The Chairmans Lounge. As regular reader of his column in AFR I was looking for to his book on Qantas, Alan Joyce, and the other executives.
The book did not disappoint and whilst I thought I knew a lot about Qantas, there were plenty of surprises. I won't share any here so as not to spoil it.
Definitely worth a read (or listen on audio book).
I'm not sure I'm rushing out to buy it. JA has had a major burr up his a**e for decades about most of corporate Australia. Yes, he's no doubt raised some legit questions about the relationship between Qantas and enterprise/Government - but I can't help but feel this is a personal crusade/vendetta
Have to agree with mark, JA can write good content but I find that too regularly he struggles to maintain an objective stance and not let personal bias and opinion affect his works. That said, that is probably part of his style and why he has been in the industry as long as he has
Unfortunately I have to agree with Mark and Nate. JA has made a name for himself by making stuff up about Qantas in his personal vendetta against a company that he and his wife used to work for.
A book that reiterates the stuff he made up about Qantas holds no interest for me.
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
For a critical review of JA's style just Google: Joe Ashton Crikey scalps. He's got quite a record.
My issue with JA is that he's like a dumb bomb - he aims it and whatever it hit dies - I've seen a number of very competent executives and business leaders be (borderline) slandered by JA when it would seem clear to a lay person that he's been economical with the facts he shares.
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
Joe Aston is not surfacing any new when it comes to a range of issues including (1) political lobbying, and (2) how Qantas uses the Chairmans Lounge to curry favour - these issues have been reported for many many years in the AFR and even in independent media such as Ben Sandilands on Plane Talking/Crikey a few years ago.
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
Joe Aston is not surfacing any new when it comes to a range of issues including (1) political lobbying, and (2) how Qantas uses the Chairmans Lounge to curry favour - these issues have been reported for many many years in the AFR and even in independent media such as Ben Sandilands on Plane Talking/Crikey a few years ago.
Sure. But not everyone has read about it so think of the exposure it's had as a result of the media attention on his book!
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The Chairmans Lounge by Joe Aston
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 123
I've just finished Joe Astons book, The Chairmans Lounge. As regular reader of his column in AFR I was looking for to his book on Qantas, Alan Joyce, and the other executives.
The book did not disappoint and whilst I thought I knew a lot about Qantas, there were plenty of surprises. I won't share any here so as not to spoil it.
Definitely worth a read (or listen on audio book).
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 459
I'm not sure I'm rushing out to buy it. JA has had a major burr up his a**e for decades about most of corporate Australia. Yes, he's no doubt raised some legit questions about the relationship between Qantas and enterprise/Government - but I can't help but feel this is a personal crusade/vendetta
nate19
nate19
Member since 17 Sep 2020
Total posts 2
Have to agree with mark, JA can write good content but I find that too regularly he struggles to maintain an objective stance and not let personal bias and opinion affect his works. That said, that is probably part of his style and why he has been in the industry as long as he has
Ozshanel
Ozshanel
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 08 Dec 2014
Total posts 15
Unfortunately I have to agree with Mark and Nate. JA has made a name for himself by making stuff up about Qantas in his personal vendetta against a company that he and his wife used to work for.
A book that reiterates the stuff he made up about Qantas holds no interest for me.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 259
For a critical review of JA's style just Google: Joe Ashton Crikey scalps. He's got quite a record.
MKS11
MKS11
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Oct 2016
Total posts 71
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 459
Originally Posted by Phil Young
For a critical review of JA's style just Google: Joe Ashton Crikey scalps. He's got quite a record.
Ultimately, JA is a shock-jock just in print
markpk
markpk
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Nov 2013
Total posts 459
Originally Posted by MKS11
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
MKS11
MKS11
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Oct 2016
Total posts 71
Originally Posted by markpk
Originally Posted by MKS11
So what if it's a personal crusade/vendetta against them. At least someone has the guts and the reach to expose QF; how else would we know all that's been going on between them and Govt...
Sure. But not everyone has read about it so think of the exposure it's had as a result of the media attention on his book!