Looking back at the 1990s, journalist Chuck Klosterman asks whether we overvalued or underrated the decade. In this book, he provides a thoughtful and provocative look at such topics as grunge rock, Bill Clinton’s sex scandals, The OJ Simpson trial, September 11th and more. Along the way he interviews dozens of prominent cultural figures including Trent Reznor, Jay-Z and David Foster Wallace to get their perspectives on what happened during those ten years. Ultimately, Klosterman argues that the 90s were both great and terrible – a time when America was transitioning from one era into another.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who want to think critically about the 1990s. It provides a lot of insight into what was happening culturally and politically during that time, and allows readers to come to their own conclusions about whether it was truly an overrated or underrated decade.
Pros :
- The author writes in an interesting, engaging style which makes the book enjoyable to read.
- The book provides a thoughtful look at many aspects of 1990s culture.
- It includes interviews with many prominent cultural figures, giving readers different perspectives on the decade.
Cons :
- The writing could be more fluid
- It’s dense and can be tough to get through
- There are no maps or pictures
Learn more about the author
Chuck Klosterman is a journalist, essayist and cultural critic who has written for The New York Times, ESPN.com, GQ and more. His books include Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs; Eating the Dinosaur; Killing Yourself to Live; Downtown Owl; and I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Masculinity. He lives in Los Angeles.
Reader Reviews
“A thought-provoking, entertaining read.”
“This book provides a great snapshot of the 1990s – both the good and bad. It’s interesting to read Chuck Klosterman’s thoughts on this decade, and to hear from some of the famous people who were involved in it.”
“Klosterman nails it – the decade that was both great and terrible, a time of massive cultural transition.”
“Klosterman’s book is a fascinating and insightful read that makes you rethink the Nineties as a whole.”