Woman of Today Book

John Humphreys described her as impeccably professional and as a woman with no equal to her skills as a broadcaster; Sue MacGregor is probably the most famous voice on radio, demonstrating day after day on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that she is not intimidated by blustering politicians, and always managing (with scalpel-like precision) to get to the heart of a story. The publication of MacGregor’s autobiography, Woman of Today, coincides with her departure from the Today programme, and it’s a trenchant and compelling story she tells. With 18 years behind her, MacGregor is the programme’s longest-serving presenter and one of its most respected. Voted the second most popular female voice on national radio by Radio Times readers, her departure had colleagues and politicians falling over each other to sing her praises. MacGregor was born in Oxford, and brought up in South Africa during the dark days of apartheid. Making her mark on the SABC’s daily magazine programme Woman's World she made a highly successful move to British radio as a reporter on BBC Radio 4’s The World at One. During the 1960s, when women were fighting for recognition in the work place, MacGregor found the BBC as much a battleground in this arena as anywhere else--her accounts of titanic personality clashes here are riveting. MacGregor then took over BBC Radio 4's Woman’s Hour for 15 years while struggles for equal pay and equal opportunities for women were at their keenest. Her interviews with key figures were models of their kind: Margaret Thatcher, Enid Blyton, Nelson Mandela, the Duchess of York and virtually all prominent politicians were treated to MacGregor’s deceptively polite approach, and her insights as to how she obtained such penetrating results from these luminaries are among the most beguiling sections of her exuberant and biting autobiography. As a coda to one of the most illustrious careers in broadcasting, Woman of Today is perfect--and has many lessons to teach those seeking a career in the tough world of the media. --Barry ForshawRead More