This book about the United States at the end of the Reagan years and into the 1990s was absolutely fascinating. The author examines the hopes of that era- the end of the Soviet Union put the US in the driver’s seat in terms of major powers and promised an era of peace. That is not what happened, however. Instead the early 1990s were an era of rising anger and turmoil, pushed forward by increasing economic inequality, job losses to overseas locations or to consolidation of companies to benefit shareholders vice employees, the collapse of the real estate market brought on by the savings and loan crisis plus high interest rates, and the increasing economic, social, and political power of minorities, gay and lesbian people, and others threatening the status quo. The author examines upheavals in Los Angeles (Rodney King riots) and NYC (Crown Heights riots), the rise of politicians riding the populist wave such as Ross Perot and Pat Buchanan, as well as the success of race baiters such as David Duke, and the rise of radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, all in the context of political, social, and economic change which also led to conspiracy theories. Clinton appear to provide a middle road through the left and right extremes- but we know now that didn’t hold. Portrayed in this context, the early 90s begin to look like a road map to the world we live in today.