Super Short Summary

Showdown at Gucci Gulch by Jeffrey H. Birnbaum and Alan S. Murray details the development and passage of the 1986 United States Tax Reform Act, ultimately signed by President Ronald Reagan, which significantly reduced the tax rate for the wealthiest individuals from 50 percent to 28 percent. The title refers to the hallway where lobbyists, dressed in expensive attire, await the outcomes of Senate hearings. The book illustrates the influence of corporate lobbyists and the complexities and bipartisan efforts involved in the Act's passage, highlighting the roles of Democratic senators, President Reagan, and various key government officials. Note: The book discusses economic policies that may disproportionately affect people in poverty.