The Best of Times: The Boom and Bust Years of America before and after Everything Changed

The Best of Times--the '90s were indeed the best of times. Unprecedented wealth and the breathtaking progress of science and technology ushered in the Internet and the deciphering of the genome. Promises abounded, but a deepening sense of unease hovered over America as the worst of times seemed to be upon us as well-gossip, scandal, and a frenzied media like nothing ever seen before. Based on exclusive interviews with the decade's most influential players, here is a fascinating re-creation of the best and worst episodes of the decade. With sweeping force and cultural acumen, Johnson revives the '90s, the ups and downs, filled with all that we may have forgotten and, most importantly, all that we never knew. In four fascinating parts, Johnson delivers the stories behind the stories-revealing the personalities behind the media party of the '90s, the partisanship that didn't succeed in bringing down the president, the pervasive technology that stretched from Silicon Valley to Monsanto with the corresponding hopes and fears, and the equally extreme reactions on Wall Street to every last bit of it. A tremendous work from a major authority and writer, The Best of Times covers the entire wonderful yet woeful decade, gavel to gavel. Includes interviews with: Book One: Technotimes Nathan Myhrvold, chief technology guru (former), Microsoft David Baltimore, president, Cal Tech University and Nobel Prize winner Bob Shapiro, chief executive officer, Monsanto Regis McKenna, entrepreneur Book Two: Teletimes Ted Harbert, head of TV programming, DreamWorks SKG Norman Lear, creator of "All in the Family" David Geffen, partner, DreamWorks SKG Michael Bloomberg, head of Bloomberg News Steven Brill, founder of Brill's Content Book Three: Scandal Times Sam Dash, law professor, Georgetown Senator Alan K. Simpson (former) Senator Dale Bumpers (former) Book Four: Millennial Times Senator Bob Kerrey (former) Senator John McCain Dr. Ruth Faden, medical ethicist In addition, Johnson interviewed leaders of Congress, top White House aides, cabinet members, and prominent political operatives of both parties in gathering material for this history. A JAMES H. SILBERMAN BOOK

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