Mad World

Teen People cofounder Lori Majewski and author Jonathan Bernstein’s Mad World is a highly entertaining oral history celebrating the New Wave music phenomenon of the 1980s via interviews with 35 of the most notable artists of the period.

Featuring members of Duran Duran, New Order, The Smiths, Tears for Fears, Adam Ant, Echo and the Bunnymen, Devo, ABC, Spandau Ballet, A Flock of Seagulls, Thompson Twins, and INXS, each interview begins with a discussion of their most popular song but leads to stories of their history and place in the scene, ultimately painting a vivid picture of this colorful, idiosyncratic time.

Mixtape suggestions, fashion sidebars, and quotes from famous contemporary admirers help fill out the fun.

“Here it is—the whole glossy, gory, glorious story of the 1980s new wave revolution, in one addictive chapter after another. These are the artists who lived it all out, whether it’s Duran Duran making the ‘Girls on Film’ video or Kim Wilde finally explaining the ‘East California’ enigma. Mad World captures the wild enthusiasm of the moment, evoking a time of perfect songs, innovative style, and lipstick cherry all over the lens.” —Rob Sheffield, contributing editor to Rolling Stone and author of Talking to Girls About Duran Duran