The Oscars, more than anything, are a battlefield, where the history of Hollywood—and of America itself—unfolds in dramas large and small. The road to the Oscars may be golden, but it’s paved in blood, sweat, and broken hearts. Featuring a star-studded cast, this book takes a fresh look at the remarkable, sprawling history of the Academy Awards and the personal dramas that have played out on the stage and off-camera. Each chapter takes a deep dive into a particular year, conflict, or category that tells a larger story of cultural upheaval, from Louis B. Mayer to Moonlight. Michael Schulman examines how the red carpet runs through contested turf, and the victors aren’t always as clear as the names drawn from the envelopes. Caught in the crossfire are people: their thwarted ambitions, their artistic epiphanies, their messy collaborations, their dreams fulfilled or dashed.