In the "Year of Simpson," the country was caught in the throes of the biggest story ever. No other single news event in our history could match the sheer scope and intensity of coverage given to the O.J. Simpson murder case. But the media did not just report the Simpson case, they were instrumental in creating it - a spectacle of such stupendous proportions that it "hijacked" American culture.

In this critical expose of American media, Thaler presents a riveting narrative about the men and women who gave us the story of the century. It is a tale of the media grappling with their role as news-reporting entities; seduced by the values of entertainment and tabloidism; and faced with increased competition, fragmented audiences, and frantic pressure to keep both eyes on the bottom line.