TheOperator:DavidGeffenBuilds,Buys,andSellstheNewHollywood

“AcrazyAmericanepic”–NewsweekComplex,contentious,andblessedwiththeperfect-pitchabilitytofindthenextbigtalent,DavidGeffenhasshapedAmericanpopularcultureandtransformedthewayHollywooddoesbusiness.Hisdazzlingcareerhasincludedtherolesofpoweragent,record-industrymogul,Broadwayproducer,andbillionaireHollywoodstudiofounder–butfromthebeginninghisaccomplishmentshavebeenshadowedbytheruthlessnesswithwhichhehaspursuedfame,money,andpower.WithTheOperator,TomKing–whointerviewedGeffenforthebookandhadunimpededaccesstohiscircleofintimates–presentsamesmerizingchronicleofGeffen’smeteoricrisefromthemailroomatWilliamMorris,aswellasacaptivatingtourofthirtysizzlingyearsofHollywoodhistory.DrawingontherecollectionsofcelebritiessuchasTomCruise,YokoOno,WarrenBeatty,CourtneyLove,PaulSimon,andevenCher(whomGeffennearlymarried),TheOperatortransportsreaderstoaworldthatisasruthlessasitisdazzling,revealingagreatAmericanstoryaboutsuccessandthebargainsmadeforit.“AdetailedportraitofHollywood’spremiermanipulator…TheOperatorisasmuchacompositeportraitofthe‘NewHollywood’asitisofthefifty-seven-year-oldpartnerinDreamWorksSKG.”–SanFranciscoChronicle“Illuminating...[TheOperator]showshowragingambitionandchutzpahareasmuchvaluedastalent–ormoreso–indeterminingsuccess.”–PhiladelphiaInquirer,