REVIEWS & PRAISE
Praise for CABLE COWBOY
“Robichaux has provided a smart assessment of the cable industry through the wild narrative of John Malone… and turned it into a tale that manages to be both colorful and informative.”
— Walter Isaacson
President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, former chairman of CNN, and author of Benjamin Franklin: An American Life
“With skill and precision, author Mark Robichaux paints a portrait of a man who is both fox and lamb, cunningly ruthless and surprisingly genuine. We get to watch a man who plays chess against opponents who merely play checkers. And we get a really good read.”
— Ken Auletta
Author of Media Man: Ted Turner's Improbable Empire and Three Blind Mice: How the TV Networks Lost Their Way
"Cable Cowboy is a first-rate work by a first-rate reporter—excellent, original research on a topic that deserves it."
— Bryan Burrough
Co-Author of Barbarians at the Gate
“John Malone’s remarkable climb [is] a tale worthy of a great cinematic Western. For the first time, we get a sharp picture of the man behind the mogul, an unflinching portrait of one of the business world’s sharpest deal-makers. I dare you to put it down.”
— Tom King
Author of Operator: David Geffen Builds Buys and Sells the new Hollywood
“A terrific saga of American enterprise—how lonely wires on windswept hillsides were stretched and spun into the Information Superhighway—as seen through the remarkable career of cable television's greatest entrepreneur.”
— David Von Drehle
Author of Triangle: The Fire That Changed America
Editorial Reviews
From the Denver Post
“The insider access gives the book an intimate feel and introduces readers to one of the smartest men in the media business.”
— ‘Programmed to Win’ by Mark P. Couch. 01/06/2003
From Library Journal
“The author weaves an intricate tale of the cable industry and TCI as he reveals the brilliant deal-making strategies that built the largest cable company in the world…Recommended for media collections in public libraries and those interested in the "art of the deal." — Bellinda Wise, Nassau Community College Library, 01/15/2003
From Publishers Weekly
“Robichaux pens an account that is part Horatio Alger success story and part cautionary tale…Malone is a complicated hero; focused and driven, he built his empire largely through clever, complicated financing deals…” (2002)
From the Rocky Mountain News
“Robichaux says his goal was to show how America was wired with cable, offer an accurate portrait of Malone, and "understand what propels ordinary individuals to great heights." He's succeeded on all counts.”
— ‘A Connecticut Yankee who became a Cable King’ by David Milstead. 11/09/2002
From the Tycoonist.com
“Almost 20 years on, the story of John Malone and the cable business remains incredibly relevant…The dude is still widely regarded as one of the great business minds of the century, and Mark Robichaux’s 2002 work Cable Cowboy is frequently mentioned as one of the best business books ever written.” (2021)
Amazon Reviews
“This is a fascinating, informative biography of one of the pioneers in the cable TV industry. It's essential reading for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of cablecos, their competitive environment, their video and equipment supply chains, their regulatory environment, relevant technology trends, the industry's financial backers, and the movers and shakers in the industry.“
— Graybeard
October 31, 2016
“Awesome book. The complex machinations of Malone's dealmaking is simply fascinating & inspiring. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good business story. Also, there is much to be learned from a financial engineering and M&A basis and there are a ton of ideas for entrepreneurs to use in their own businesses.“
— Michael Gilson
May 2, 2013
“The book is a hit, period! …I believe Cable Cowboy is the most thorough chronicling of the rise of one of the most important media segments of our time… Brilliant and ruthless by turns, he is capture as more than just a cartoon, one-dimensional figure. In other words, the author has greatly distanced himself from the approach that most journalists have taken in reporting on Malone. Robichaux wrote a timeless book, and its enduring relevancy is borne out by Malone's continuing presence in today's business headlines. I'd recommend this book to any and all who appreciate (or should appreciate) the power of the media business.“
— Tour de Force
July 15, 2013
“Great book if you like a business book with lots of details.“
— G. W. Lisman
September 13, 2021
“This book provides an incredibly clear and well written insight into the early cable world. It's a world built by alliances and deals that still exist to this day. Cable Cowboy provides a great context into the cable world that we look at today. Net neutrality, media mergers, and cable deals can be better understood by those who read this book and understand the true underpinnings of the industry that it's all built on.“
— aefortier
December 11, 2017
“I never knew the story of cable, TCI, or John Malone and I started reading and couldnt put it down. John Malone is a fascinating character and the growth and turns of the cable industry are well travelled in this tale that is TCI Centric but gives you more then just that.”
— Steve
November 12, 2013
“Well written story about the journey of cable Titans like John Malone who built today's broadband network. Very inspiring to learn from the best operators.“
— Vik
August 1, 2020
“This is the real Art of The Deal - Forget Trump's version. Sophisticated & courageous deal making, respect for John Malone.“
— Bonyo Buogha
March 31, 2019
“Good insight into the mind of Malone and also valuable lessons and insight into deal making, investing and leadership. Recommended for investors and businessman alike.“
— Zachary Michaud
April 27, 2017
“Apart from serving as a primer on the evolution of American cable, the book also lucidly explains interesting business strategies followed by the Cable Cowboys.“
— Vivekanand S
August 27, 2015
“The book provides a very readable and rare insight into the history and workings of the key players of the cable industry. TCI and John C. Malone provide a lively story of the ideas and issues during the times of consolidation and govt actions during the 1990s , President Clinton and the Telecom Act of 1996. The narrative ended in 2002. An update would be in order.“
— Pete Sanders
November 14, 2014
“I liked the way it was written. It gives you a broad idea of how the cable industry developed over the years. Goes in to details of specific deals that gives you a better feeling of how the industry dealt with growth, changes in technology, competition, content suppliers, etc.“
— Gerardo Quiroga
September 17, 2007
“An engaging and accessible account of one of America's great business leaders and a complicated industry. Whether your interest is the cable industry, general business, leadership or free enterprise, this is the book for you!“
— The Godfather
April 13, 2005