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Bennett CerfBennett Cerf
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Session:         Page of 1029

thing.” He said, “You know, we're very close to buying another business.” I knew they were investigating the American Book Company. I said, “Well, General, if you would rather buy the American Book Company than Random House because of two onehundredths of a share, good luck to you; and let's stay friends.”

Q:

Well, they're a very different type of publisher.

Cerf:

Yes. But RCA wanted a tie-up with a publishing house that had some connection with the school market.

General Sarnoff angrily told me, “You may not realize it, Bennett, but you're dealing with a very arrogant and egotistical man.” I said, “General, I'm just as arrogant and egotistical as you are. Let's watch the game. There's no sense going on with this.” So grumpily he called in Bobby, his son, and one of the bankers. They were waiting in the wings and had champagne on ice. They were all ready for the conclusion of the deal. The General was quite miffed about this. He said, “We had better talk some more about this tomor- row.” I said, “That's impossible because tomorrow my wife and I are leaving for the Coast to spend the holidays with Frank Sinatra.” This was the first time that we went to Frank's. We've done it often since, but this was the first time. I said, “We're going to collect his girl”--that was Mia, whom we had not yet met--"and we're going to fly out in his private jet. I wouldn't miss that for the world.” The General said, “You mean to say that with this deal hanging fire you're going to





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