Final deadline : The last days of the Rand Daily mail

For much of its 83-year history, the Rand Daily Mail was the most controversial newspaper in South Africa.

Fearless and forthright, the newspaper dug where other publications did not, exposing stories - like the Information Scandal - that other newspapers were afraid to print.

Under editors like Laurence Gandar, Raymond Louw and Allister Sparks, the Mail blazed a trail for independence and freedom of the press.

Closed down by its proprietors in 1985, for reasons that are still controversial, the Rand Daily Mail's culture of professionalism and commitment influenced a generation of journalists.

Final deadline is the story of the Rand Daily Mail, seen through the eyes of Rex Gibson, its last editor.

Focusing on the difficult final years of the newspaper's history, the book is a tale of corporate manipulation, mismanagement and hypocrisy.

In the end, a proud newspaper died and no-one, not least its owners, could quite say why.