The Best of Times: America in the Clinton Years
by By Johnson, Haynes
Category: History , Modern , 20th Century

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: TechnotimesNathan Myhrvold, chief technology guru (former), MicrosoftDavid Baltimore, president, Cal Tech University and Nobel Prize winnerBob Shapiro, chief executive officer, Monsanto Regis McKenna, entrepreneurBook Two: TeletimesTed Harbert, head of TV programming, DreamWorks SKGNorman Lear, creator of "All in the Family"David Geffen, partner, DreamWorks SKGMichael Bloomberg, head of Bloomberg NewsSteven Brill, founder of Brill's ContentBook Three: Scandal Times Sam Dash, law professor, GeorgetownSenator Alan K. Simpson (former)Senator Dale Bumpers (former)Book Four: Millennial TimesSenator Bob Kerrey (former)Senator John McCainDr. Ruth Faden, medical ethicistIn 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