When the Clock Broke

"When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists and the Origins of Trumpism" is a captivating New York Times bestseller by John Ganz, highlighted as a Barack Obama summer read. It presents a compelling exploration of the chaotic early 1990s, illustrating how these turbulent times paved the way for the Donald Trump era. The Washington Post praises it as offering unparalleled insights into Trump's rise, surpassing much of the literature that claims to tackle this topic directly. Rory Stewart finds it to be a fascinating and thought-provoking commentary on our contemporary era.With the fall of the Soviet Union, Saddam Hussein's defeat, and America's global dominance at its peak, the early 90s held the promise of a more peaceful, compassionate nation. However, this vision failed to materialize. Instead, it became a period marked by economic difficulties, mounting discontent, and internal conflict, ultimately leading to the polarization and extreme partisanship we witness today. In this engaging and often amusing narrative, Ganz recounts the disintegration of the Reagan era and the emergence of a novel form of paranoid politics. He details how a collection of swindlers and conspiracy theorists instigated a cultural offensive against liberal elites, renounced "globalism," and championed a "populist-based presidency."The book provides a vivid account of the conclusion of the post-World War II order and the rise of a more frenzied America. The New York Times describes it as "terrific," noting its rare ability to remain continuously entertaining without relinquishing its ethical foundation. "When the Clock Broke" earned a place among the Washington Post's 10 Best Books of 2024 and was recognized as one of the New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2024. It also made the longlist for the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Award. Published by Penguin Books Ltd, this softcover edition spans 432 pages, measuring 19.6 x 12.9 x 2.9 cm. The book's ISBN is 9781405981699.