"Why We Click is popular science at its best. Kate Murphy takes a universal yet mysterious experience--our sense of connection with others--and reveals the surprising science that explains it. Through vivid stories and carefully-conducted research, Murphy transforms an experience that once felt mysterious and magical into something that is perfectly understandable. You''ll end this book feeling like you''ve gotten a new pair of crystal-clear glasses to see your social world through. It''s engaging, insightful, and hard to put down!" -- Nicholas Epley, p rofessor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and author of Mindwise and A Little More Social "Paul Fischer, who last dazzled us with the story of the battle for the soul of American cinema, this time gives us the goods on the guys who rose to be the rulers of Hollywood--and whether being kings was worth it. Fischer, a master storyteller and researcher, goes behind the scenes in the personal and professional lives of the three auteurs --as well as a lot of their friends--who defied and beat the Hollywood system, then abandoned it, burned it to the ground or rebuilt it in their own images. Fischer expertly captures the distinctive personalities, moods, and artistic tastes and preferences of the three iconic filmmakers who produced seemingly at will one iconic movie after another. In Fischer''s hands, backlot drama is just as exciting as what ends up on screen--no small feat when we''re talking about Star Wars or The Godfathe r--and Fischer analyzes with clear-eyed clarity what went right and what went wrong--and how cinema was shaped by it all, for better or for worse.

" --Brian Jay Jones, bestselling biographer and author of Jim Henson: The Biography and George Lucas: A Life "How did a trio of dreamy kids become the movie gods who gave us The Godfather , Jaws , and Star Wars ? The Last Kings of Hollywood is a story of ego, defiance, imagination, money, the thrill of the movies, and the catastrophe of success--and Paul Fischer unfurls it with propulsion and panache." --Michael Schulman, author of Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears "The Last Kings of Hollywood is a gripping thrill-ride through the lives of the flawed men who invented the modern American dreamscape. Filled with unexpected revelations and canny insight, this book provides more proof that Paul Fischer is one of the world''s finest chroniclers of culture." --Josie Riesman, New York Times bestselling author of Ringmaster "Jaunty, vivid, and sharp, The Last Kings of Hollywood is the remarkable and true story of a cohort of filmmakers who changed cinema and pop culture completely and forever. In this tale of visionary oddballs, classic movies, and an industry determined to exploit them or grind them up or both, Paul Fischer shares a history that we know and we don''t. It''s a delight to read and learn from." --Shawn Levy, author of Clint: The Man and the Movies , The Castle on Sunset, Paul Newman: A Life , and Dolce Vita Confidential " The Last Kings of Hollywood compiles hundreds of original interviews and extensive research to chronicle the rollercoaster ride of a production behind Jaws, the first film to gross over $100 million at the box office. and also follows filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas during their rise to fame in the 1980s.

" -- People "The Last Kings of Hollywood i s a treasure chest for anyone who loves movies. Fischer somehow manages to weave a hoard of stories and interviews covering decades of Hollywood history into a reading experience that is brisk, energetic, and most of all, illuminating. You''ll be telling everyone you know tales from this fascinating book." --Mallory O''Meara, bestselling author of Daughter of Daring "Riveting, grade A smack for cinema junkies and a new essential text on how three generational filmmakers changed movies forever. Fischer''s writing pulsates and his diligence in finding fresh voices had me hanging on every new anecdote. Drop everything and read this straight through. I did." --Steven Soderbergh, filmmaker "With the enthusiasm of an avid fan, the even hand of a journalist, and the narrative skills of a screenwriter, Fischer interleaves the biographies of three Hollywood titans.

Fischer''s tell-all will cause film history buffs to swoon and will assuredly entertain any nostalgic moviegoer." --Booklist "An entertaining, informative, and necessary book for all fans of contemporary cinema." --Library Journal "Imagine cinema history without The Godfather, Star Wars and Jaws. In this must-read for movie buffs, Fischer describes how their directors.became friends when they were struggling young filmmakers and how their mutual support and rivalries transformed Hollywood." --AARP Winter Books Preview scenes in the personal and professional lives of the three auteurs --as well as a lot of their friends--who defied and beat the Hollywood system, then abandoned it, burned it to the ground or rebuilt it in their own images. Fischer expertly captures the distinctive personalities, moods, and artistic tastes and preferences of the three iconic filmmakers who produced seemingly at will one iconic movie after another. In Fischer''s hands, backlot drama is just as exciting as what ends up on screen--no small feat when we''re talking about Star Wars or The Godfathe r--and Fischer analyzes with clear-eyed clarity what went right and what went wrong--and how cinema was shaped by it all, for better or for worse.

" --Brian Jay Jones, bestselling biographer and author of Jim Henson: The Biography and George Lucas: A Life "How did a trio of dreamy kids become the movie gods who gave us The Godfather , Jaws , and Star Wars ? The Last Kings of Hollywood is a story of ego, defiance, imagination, money, the thrill of the movies, and the catastrophe of success--and Paul Fischer unfurls it with propulsion and panache." --Michael Schulman, author of Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears "The Last Kings of Hollywood is a gripping thrill-ride through the lives of the flawed men who invented the modern American dreamscape. Filled with unexpected revelations and canny insight, this book provides more proof that Paul Fischer is one of the world''s finest chroniclers of culture." --Josie Riesman, New York Times bestselling author of Ringmaster "Jaunty, vivid, and sharp, The Last Kings of Hollywood is the remarkable and true story of a cohort of filmmakers who changed cinema and pop culture completely and forever. In this tale of visionary oddballs, classic movies, and an industry determined to exploit them or grind them up or both, Paul Fischer shares a history that we know and we don''t. It''s a delight to read and learn from." --Shawn Levy, author of Clint: The Man and the Movies , The Castle on Sunset, Paul Newman: A Life , and Dolce Vita Confidential " The Last Kings of Hollywood compiles hundreds of original interviews and extensive research to chronicle the rollercoaster ride of a production behind Jaws, the first film to gross over $100 million at the box office. and also follows filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas during their rise to fame in the 1980s.

" -- People "The Last Kings of Hollywood i s a treasure chest for anyone who loves movies. Fischer somehow manages to weave a hoard of stories and interviews covering decades of Hollywood history into a reading experience that is brisk, energetic, and most of all, illuminating. You''ll be telling everyone you know tales from this fascinating book." --Mallory O''Meara, bestselling author of Daughter of Daring "Riveting, grade A smack for cinema junkies and a new essential text on how three generational filmmakers changed movies forever. Fischer''s writing pulsates and his diligence in finding fresh voices had me hanging on every new anecdote. Drop everything and read this straight through. I did." --Steven Soderbergh, filmmaker "With the enthusiasm of an avid fan, the even hand of a journalist, and the narrative skills of a screenwriter, Fischer interleaves the biographies of three Hollywood titans.

Fischer''s tell-all will cause film history buffs to swoon and will assuredly entertain any nostalgic moviegoer." --Booklist "An entertaining, informative, and necessary book for all fans of contemporary cinema." --Library Journal "Imagine cinema history without The Godfather, Star Wars and Jaws. In this must-read for movie buffs, Fischer describes how their directors.became friends when they were struggling young filmmakers and how their mutual support and rivalries transformed Hollywood." --AARP Winter Books Preview a story of ego, defiance, imagination, money, the thrill of the movies, and the catastrophe of success--and Paul Fischer unfurls it with propulsion and panache." --Michael Schulman, author of Oscar Wars: A History of Hollywood in Gold, Sweat, and Tears "The Last Kings of Hollywood is a gripping thrill-ride through the lives of the flawed men who invented the modern American dreamscape. Filled with unexpected revelations and canny insight, this book pro.