100 Days

Some events that transform a nation are frozen in time. Others pass with little public awareness, and we only appreciate their momentous nature long after they occur. Regardless, these events are few and-almost always-far between. But in 1969, four such events took place within the span of only 100 days. In this book, cultural historian Harlan Lebo looks back at the first moon landing, the Manson family murders, Woodstock, and the birth of the Internet to tell the story of how each event shaped the nation and how we perceive ourselves. Loaded with captivating anecdotes and insights based on extensive interviews with eyewitnesses and participants, to provide historical insight and contemporary context, 100 Days will fascinate readers who seek a deeper appreciation of how four seemingly unrelated events shaped America's emergence as the nation we have become.

Cultural historian Harlan Lebo is a senior fellow at the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. His previous books include Citizen Kane, Casablanca: Behind the Scenes, The Godfather Legacy, and Citizen Kane: A Filmmakers Journey. He resides in Los Angeles.

Contents Four events that shaped America, with only 100 days from first to last Author's Note Part I: Moon Chapter 1: Challenging the Impossible Chapter 2: More than Bold Predictions Chapter 3: That Irresistible Charisma Chapter 4: The Sight of Whizzing Flashes Chapter 5: Beep Chapter 6: A Dull Thud Chapter 7: Three Steps ahead of a Pack of Hounds Chapter 8: No Choice but to be Pioneers Chapter 9: Go Chapter 10: A Magnificent Sight Chapter 11: A Sense of Possibilities Counterculture Part II: Manson Chapter 12: Like Moths to a Flame Chapter 13: Mesmerized Chapter 14: A Carnival Ride to the Apocalypse Part III: Woodstock Chapter 15: Grasshoppers in the Grain Fields Chapter 16: Overtaken by the Feeling Chapter 17: Coming from a Dream Part IV: Internet Chapter 18: Color and Flash Chapter 19: "LO" Chapter 20: How to Move the World from the Right Place Chapter 21: Gaining Momentum Chapter 22: On Hold Chapter 23: Pumpkins and Mice Chapter 24: All the Heavy Lifting Chapter 25: Dissolving Containers Epilogue Acknowledgements Resources Bibliography Notes About the Author