The former executive editor of Premiere
offers a juicy and supremely entertaining overview of the birth of new Hollywood in the 1970s (producing films like Nashville
, Chinatown
, Harold & Maude
, Jaws
, Shampoo
, Taxi Driver
, The
Godfather
and Star Wars
), which was wonderfully creative but short-lived. The artists celebrated sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll onscreen and off, which partially explains why so many high-flying careers crashed. Dick Hill's invigorating narration is so animated that he seems to be enjoying the sordid and funny mixture of gossip and history as much as any listener. The combination of Biskind's shrewdly written definitive history and Hill's unflagging energy makes this a great way to spend 24 hours. A Simon & Schuster paperback. (Dec.)
