Remember when shopping was a blood sport?For nearly half a century, Black Friday was the wildest day in American culture. It was a day when the polite social contract was suspended, and millions of people froze in parking lots, fought over waffle irons, and stampeded through glass doors - all for the promise of a deal.In Doorbusters: From Midnight Lines to Digital Carts, retail industry veteran Chuck Ackerman takes you behind the barricades for an explosive look at the history, psychology, and secrets of the world's most chaotic shopping holiday.Part history book, part memoir, and part consumer guide, Doorbusters reveals: The "Red to Black" Lie: We have all heard the story about retailers finally turning a profit. Discover why that is a total fabrication - and the gritty, real-world origin story the industry tried to bury for decades.The Psychology of the Stampede: Why do rational adults fight over discount electronics? Uncover the specific neurological hacks stores use to bypass your logic and trigger "hunter" mode.Tales from the Front Lines: Go behind the counter for a first-hand account of the "Doorbuster Wars" of the 90s - and the moment customer service turned into combat.The "Derivative Model" Secret: Exposing the industry's dark secret regarding "Holiday Models." Find out why that cheap TV might not be the bargain you think it is.The Smart Shopper's Playbook: A practical guide to beating the house, including how to spot fake deals and the actual best time of year to buy high-end electronics.Whether you are a marketing professional, a pop-culture history buff, or just a shopper who misses the adrenaline of the midnight line, Doorbusters offers a fascinating, fast-paced look at how a traffic nightmare evolved into a global economy - and what we lost when the chaos moved from the parking lot to the server room.About the Author Chuck Ackerman is a retail industry observer who survived the "Golden Age" of Black Friday from the front lines. With over 20 years of experience, he brings a unique insider perspective to the trends that shape how we shop.