News

Can I Quote You on That?
William Essex
Harriman House Publishing £44.99

This is a practical handbook focused on getting the best out of any contact you might have with a journalist - from unexpected phone call to broadcast interview. Written by a hack, it takes a detailed look at every conceivable issue involved in handling the media from first contact. An excellent and thorough must-read, written with humour. Reassuringly, we're told that 'journalists are just people. Yes, they're human.' - BEST OF ITS KIND

Manage the Media

William J Holstein
Harvard Business Press £11.99

This 'memo to the CEO', written by a veteran business journalist, takes a strategic look at public relations, and how it should be managed at board level. Using real case studies, it's an incisive and short introduction (100pp) for the CEO or MD seeking to improve their communications strategy. This isn't a hands-on guide to dealing with crises but more a starting point for some serious thought - COULD BE USEFUL

Online Public Relations
David Phillips and Philip Young
Kogan Page £19.99

If you can't tell your Twitter from your Flickr, this might be the one for you. Although it looks and feels like a textbook, it nevertheless offers a good overview of all things web, and how the latest developments will affect PR strategy. A good book to get you thinking, although not a how-to manual for technicians. It might be better suited to the novice with a long commute - COULD BE USEFUL.