In The Nineties, Chuck Klosterman examines the era-defining decade through a cultural lens. He explores how technologies like cell phones and the internet changed both our personal lives and public discourse; he considers what made Kurt Cobain such an influential musician and why America’s politicians became so unpopular; he looks at how various figures—from Jean-Claude Van Damme to Tonya Harding to Renée Zellweger—became iconic during those ten years. Provocative, insightful, and always entertaining, The Nineties is an essential read for anyone trying to understand this pivotal time in history.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for people who want to understand the 1990s. It provides a cultural lens through which one can explore what made that decade unique.
Pros :
- The book is highly entertaining and insightful, providing a thorough look at the decade of the 1990s.
- Klosterman offers strong analysis and asks questions that will make readers think about our culture in a new way.
- The Nineties provides interesting perspective on often misunderstood aspects of this time period such as grunge music and politics.
Cons :
- It is dense
- It can be repetitive
- It lacks focus
Learn more about the author
Chuck Klosterman is a journalist, cultural critic, and author. He has written for The New York Times Magazine, GQ, Esquire, Spin, Newsweek, Grantland , and ESPN the Magazine . His books include But What If We’re Wrong? ; Downtown Owl ; I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined) ; Killing Yourself to Live : 85% of a True Story; Sex Wax & Suicidal Thoughts: A Decade of Rock ‘n’ Roll Excess; Chuck Klosterman IV: A Decade of Curious People and Dangerous Ideas;and Fargo Rock City: A Heavy Metal Odyssey in Rural Nodak.
Reader Reviews
“An excellent, insightful read that really captures the zeitgeist of the 1990s. Klosterman is a perceptive writer with an ability to cut through the noise and get to the heart of what made this decade so unique.”
“A great read. Klosterman has a knack for cutting through the BS to get to what’s truly interesting about any given topic.”
“If you want to understand the nineties, read this book. Klosterman does a fantastic job of exploring all aspects of the decade – from celebrities and politics to technology and popular culture.”
“Klosterman brilliantly weaves together seemingly disparate events and phenomena to create a cohesive, compelling narrative of the 1990s. This book is a must-read for anyone trying to make sense of that unique decade.”