Interview and book signing with Boom Town author Sam Anderson, Oklahoma History Center

The Oklahoma History Center is proud to present Sam Anderson, author of Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, its Chaotic Founding, its Apocalyptic Weather, its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis. Anderson will participate in a question and answer session with moderator Steve Lackmeyer. Lackmeyer, an award-winning author, columnist, and reporter in his own right, will ask Anderson about what inspired him to write the book, the steps he took to research the content, and the many individuals he came into contact with during the research process.

The program will be Thursday, August 23, from noon to 1 pm. Anderson will be available after the interview to sign copies of Boom Town, which will be available for purchase in the Museum Store. This event is free and open to the public.

Anderson’s original intention was to complete an assignment from The New York Times Magazine to cover the city’s new basketball team, the Oklahoma City Thunder. As Anderson wandered the city’s streets, talking to its citizens, and uncovering its wild history, he became convinced that Oklahoma City was unlike any other place in America—“one of the great weirdo cities of the world,” as he puts it in the book’s prologue. For example, he references the 1889 land run, “where thousands of people lined up along the borders of newly-opened Oklahoma Territory and rushed in at noon to stake their claims.” Pulling from in-depth archival research, and walking the miles-long path of the city’s pioneer founders, Anderson vividly depicts one of the most bizarre and abrupt beginnings of a city in history. He continues his analysis of Oklahoma history by bringing together personal stories and perspectives of local historic figures like Clara Luper, weatherman Gary England, and Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti.

Anderson is currently a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the National Book Critics Circle’s Nona Balakian Citation of Excellence in Reviewing. He lives in New York with his family.