Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding... Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis

"Boom Town: The Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City, Its Chaotic Founding... Its Purloined Basketball Team, and the Dream of Becoming a World-class Metropolis" masterfully weaves the rich tapestry of Oklahoma City's tumultuous history with an engaging narrative that captures its vibrant spirit and relentless ambition. Published on August 20, 2019, this book by Sam Anderson, an award-winning journalist, dives deep into the city's origins marked by the frenzied 1889 Land Run, its grappling with identity through the lens of the high-stakes sports arena, and its relentless pursuit of metropolitan status. At the heart of this narrative is Clara Luper, a pioneering civil rights leader whose contributions underscore the city's complex battle with racial justice and education equity. Through Anderson’s kaleidoscopic storytelling, readers explore how historical events and cultural icons—from NBA superstars to influential meteorologists—intertwine with Luper's activism, providing a multifaceted perspective on civic growth and social justice. Ideal for college students, "Boom Town" not only chronicles the evolution of a city but also prompts critical reflection on how past struggles and triumphs can inform contemporary movements for social change. This book, celebrated by NPR and The New York Times among others, is a compelling invitation to explore the intersections of sports, civil rights, and urban development.